MONROVIA – The Christian community in Liberia has extended heartfelt congratulations to Archbishop Prof. Mult. Thomas Paul Schirrmacher as he marked his 65th birthday on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The celebration of this milestone has been accompanied by an outpouring of gratitude and admiration for a man whose influence spans global church leadership, theological scholarship, and persistent advocacy for human rights.
Bishop Dr. Kortu K. Brown, speaking on behalf of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church International and the wider Christian community in Liberia, paid glowing tribute to Archbishop Schirrmacher. “We want to extend our most profound and sincere best wishes to you for this milestone achievement in your life,” Bishop Brown said. “We also want to express our deep gratitude to Almighty God for enabling the steering of your ‘ship of life’ to the achievement of 780 months of existence here on the earth. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!”
A longstanding friend of the Liberian church, Archbishop Schirrmacher first visited Liberia in 2018 at the invitation of Bishop Brown, where he served as keynote speaker at the 32nd General Assembly of the Liberia Council of Churches. His message urged churches to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sparked national dialogue on the role of religious institutions in promoting peace, justice, and development. “Just as in each country we can only work with the government we actually have, not with a government we would like to have,” Archbishop Schirrmacher said during his speech. “So it applies for the United Nations, too… nothing alters the fact that it is currently the only chance for worldwide political collaboration for good aims.”
His relationship with Liberia, however, predates that address. During the country’s civil conflict, Archbishop Schirrmacher’s organization, the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), provided critical support to Liberian refugees at the Buduburam Camp in Ghana. He consistently spoke out against the mistreatment of refugees and delivered humanitarian assistance, including water and sanitation services.
In recognition of his contributions, the Archbishop was honored in December 2018 with a traditional chieftaincy title by the Apostolic Pentecostal Church International at a special thanksgiving service held at the New Water in the Desert Assembly in Brewerville, Montserrado County.
Following his visit to the refugee camp again in 2024, Archbishop Schirrmacher returned to Liberia to deliver the keynote at the 15th General Conference of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church International. During this visit, he met with religious leaders, students, civil society organizations, and government officials, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to strengthening Liberia’s spiritual and civic institutions. His efforts led to support from a German charity for vocational training, hearing screening, and vegetable production through Church Aid Inc., a local relief and development agency.
“You have remained a trusted and faithful servant of the Most High God, which has made an enduring mark on the work of God’s kingdom here in Liberia,” Bishop Brown stated. “As a theologian, author, humanitarian, champion of human rights, and diplomat for reconciliation, you have excelled and impacted many lives globally.”
As Archbishop Schirrmacher celebrates 65 years of impactful service to God and humanity, Liberia joins the international community in saluting his unwavering commitment to justice, peace, and Christian unity.
