Liberia celebrates the second edition of International Pastors’ Day here in recognition of the works of pastors globally.
Monrovia, Liberia, November 11, 2024 – Hundreds of churches locally and internationally have observed the 2024 International Pastors’ Day, a day set aside to recognize and honor Pastors for saving souls from going to hell and bringing them to the Lord Jesus.
The annual event is an initiative that seeks to create a culture of honor for pastors. The vision was birthed by the Liberian church and shared with the world.
Pastors are spiritual and, at the same time, public servants who believe and are convinced that celebrating servants of God with humility and appreciation boosts their work.
International Pastors’ Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of November annually. On this day, churches bless their shepherds with kind words, cash, and encouragement, making them feel loved and needed.
It is a public record that in 2023, when the Day was officially inaugurated at Harvest Intercontinental Cathedral in Congo Town, Liberia, with thousands of Christians in attendance and a host of top-ranking leaders of the Liberian church, it was heralded that this occasion would happen yearly.
The Vision Bearer of International Pastor Day, Right Rev. Sam B. Oroge, Bishop of the Apostolic Grace Mission (Grace Churches Worldwide), passionately expresses that his motivation was God-inspired.
He says pastors’ lives matter a lot, both to God and to men. Bishop Oroge explains that there has not been a real balance between pastoral care and the pastor’s care.
He narrates that the Lord Jesus wanted him to lead the church to understand that Pastors are God’s shepherds, sent to represent God on earth, and God Himself had designed that, as pastors do God’s work, the people they lead must obey, submit, and honor them.
But he thinks that not many pastors enjoy these courtesies and attention, lamenting that too many pastors are suffering and fatigued, with many facing out without help, support, or recognition.
“It is obvious that people are steadily subscribing to this vision and are adjusting to stand with their pastors. The social media is currently flooded with photos of their pastors, as parishioners wish them “happy international pastors’ Day” with many other kind words,” he says.
Bishop Sam is optimistic that the message will go around, the IPD vision will extend wide, and the entire church world will one day buy into it. ” Liberia is so blessed because she is the first to receive the call. Ghana, Nigeria, and the USA have begun to recognize this worthy day.”
This year, pastors gathered with their members in several communities. For example, in Brewerville, Montserrado County, parishioners of churches worshiped the Lord by presenting gifts to their pastors. Another group gathered in central Monrovia, Gardnerville, Sinkor, and other communities, while the majority of the pastors observed the Day in their respective churches in elaborate ways.
The IPD movement in Sinkor, led by Pastor Benedict Kun, saw over 30 pastors certificated.
Preaching at Fire Arena Ministries of Pastor Ruby Koomey in Brownsville, Pastor Bruce Samuel Tarpeh said, Pastors are leading and bleeding, yet they teach and preach, so they deserve to be honored and cared for.
“Pastors go through a lot of things that they cannot say to people,” Pastor Tarpeh notes. Editing by Jonathan Browne
