The Liberian Ministers Association was established on November 22, 1996 at a meeting held at Joy World Mission Church, Minneapolis. Present at the first meeting were Rev. Lee Anderson, Rev. Charles Goah and Pastor Kennedy Gee.
The need for the establishment of a Liberian ministers association was discussed. After lengthy deliberations, the group concluded that there existed a need to form an association among Liberian ministers within the Twin Cities. Some of the reason given for the formation of this association included:
The need for fellowship;
The need to work together in various aspects of the ministry;
The need to help and encourage newcomers (Liberian ministers coming to the Twin Cities) and;
The need to find some assistance for Liberian pastors
Based on the above mentioned reasons, Rev. Goah introduced a resolution at said meeting on November 22, 1996 which read:
Whereas, we the undersigned Liberian clergies residing in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, having duly assembled on the twenty-second day of November, nineteen-hundred and ninety six, to discuss the need for a ministerial Association as a means of fellowship amongst ourselves, and also to help meet the need of the some of our fellow Liberian ministers in the Republic of Liberia hereby resolved to establish ourselves as a legal non-profit entity, in the State of Minnesota.
A Motion to pass the resolution was made by Rev. Kennedy Gee, and seconded by Rev. Goah. The Ministers present then signed the resolution and dated same.
Since its formation, LMA has been an integral part of the Liberian community in the Twin Cities. It has been involved primarily in promoting unity amongst the pastors and the Liberian community as large, praying for churches, pastors and their families, conducting revival meetings and crusades, hosting and or facilitating seminars on biblical and social issues in the Liberian community, helping in mentoring younger pastors and being involved in conflict resolutions within the community.
Over the years, the organization has strived to draw the community closer to the Lord. It has also worked in close partnership with area churches in helping to define their mission, vision and sense of purpose. In March, Luther Seminary in partnership with LMA conducted training for Liberian Ministers on the Truth and Reconciliation Process in Liberia and the Diaspora. Recently the organization hosted a forum where Dr. Darlingston Johnson, Bishop of Bethel World Outreach Ministries was the guest speaker. Shortly thereafter (April 26, 2008), it hosted a revival meeting with Evangelist Mark Francen as the guest speaker. Healing and miraculous signs took place at this revival to the praise and glory of the Lord.
