Free Gospel Missions, Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

An Introduction
By:
Rev. Chester H. Heath
Missions Director,
Free Gospel Missions

   When missionaries were first sent by Free Gospel Missions to this African country, they united with a group from Scotland who were already engaged in missionary work there. The country was in much poverty, which continues to this day. In that era generally a missionary couple would live on a compound and attempt to evangelize the village and surrounding areas. There was very limited contact with other missionaries; compounds were many miles apart and travel very difficult in the dry season and mostly impossible during the rainy season. travel to and from the field was by ocean freighter, and took about a month to cross.
   Among the early Free Gospel Missionaries, were John and Katherine Bailie, who spent the greater part of there lives in Sierra Leone. Ethel Blose, Elwin Grundy, and Charles Scott were some of those who labored there.
   World War II was a major disruption to missionary work, and later internal unrest hampered the work. However, the Bailies and Ethel Blose resumed there work as soon as possible, and continued until age and ill health ended their labors overseas.
   Early in the 1970's, new young missionaries began to be sent to replace the early pioneers. These dedicated young couples were graduates of Free Gospel Bible Institute at Export, PA. Their training included missions, they were ready and eager to get involved in the work. Those early years were difficult as finances were tight and vehicles unreliable. Royce and Kathy Roy were the first to go, and were followed by Kenneth and Connie Roles, and then Ralph and Becky Heath.
   Having assessed the situation, they recommended a radical change in which the missionaries would live in close proximity. Reasoning was two fold; that less time would be involved in traveling, and that a Bible School could be started to train national preachers. The motto was, "teaching men to reach men". This strategy was highly successful and soon resulted in growth and better qualified pastors.
   By the end of the 70's it became apparent that the union with the Scotland folks was no longer feasible, as they were no longer committed to holiness standards. In seeking a peaceful separation, we had to leave the Bible School that we had built and largely paid for, plus a majority of the churches, but did receive some financial renumeration.
   With peace in our hearts that we had acted honorably, we sought property upon which we could build another school. The Lord gave direction and moved on the heart of a Muslim man to sell us land he had already said he would not.
   Others came to help in the work, including Mike and Debbie Metzger, Troy and Karen Tilkeran, Carol Woods, Steve and Rhonda Loretz, and Steve Burgess. In just a few years the sizable campus included a very comfortable missionary residence, dormitory, classrooms, a carpenter shop, and a vehicle repair shop. nationals had been trained to use power tools and repair vehicles. A large generator provided lights and power for the complex, which also had a water tower providing running water.
   There were agricultural projects where hogs, rice, pineapples and other crops were grown. Durable new church buildings were constructed in several villages, and the report went out that this was the fastest growing mission in the country.
   Then came a brutal ten-year civil war with an unknown number of people killed, thousands who had one or more limbs cut off, and vast property destruction. All of our vehicles were stolen or destroyed. All of our equipment suffered the same fate. All missionary personnel had to return to the USA.
   They left behind Joshua Heath who had died from lack of medical care just one month after his birth; and Troy Tilkeran who died when hit head on by a speeding military vehicle that was driving on his side of the road. But they also left behind well-trained pastors and leaders, who continued to carry on the work of God during the years of fighting.
   On a visit there three years ago, I was amazed to learn that the number of churches in the mission actually increased during the war. Even now the strong and capable national leadership is reaching out to all areas of the country and starting churches in key towns from which surrounding areas can be evangelized. Two short term training centers for pastors are in operation and two more are planned for the near future. Their fervent worship, frequent times of prayer, and powerful preaching have resulted in a holiness lifestyle and a zeal to take the good news of the gospel to all the nation and even beyond their borders.
   This is a powerful witness to the dedication and effectiveness of the missionaries who labored, preached, taught, and demonstrated the gospel of Jesus Christ! "Our labor is not in vain in the Lord."