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— Ambassador Kemayah Hails LBTS Graduates as First-Ever M.A. Cohort Makes History
His Excellency Deacon, Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary (LBTS), has described the 42nd Commencement Convocation as a “historic milestone” marked by the graduation of the first-ever cohort of Master of Arts (M.A.) degree holders.
Addressing the graduating class of 2024 on Sunday, December 8, 2024, Ambassador Kemayah, who also serves as Political Leader and Standard Bearer of the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) and former Minister of Foreign Affairs & Dean of the Cabinet of the Republic of Liberia, expressed deep pride and joy in the groundbreaking achievement.
“This graduation is particularly historic, as we celebrate not only your achievements but also the first-ever graduates of the Master of Arts Degree Program,” Ambassador Kemayah declared. “This monumental progress, which began in September 2022 under our watch as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, is a testament to our shared vision to advance theological education at this premier seminary.”
According to Ambassador Kemayah, this achievement represents a legacy of leadership and vision spearheaded by the Board of Trustees, the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBM&EC), and the administration of the seminary. He hailed the collective efforts of key leaders, particularly Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Reeves, Jr., President of the LBM&EC, and Rev. Dr. Momolu Armstrong Massaquoi, President of LBTS, for their critical roles in bringing the M.A. program to fruition.
In his message to the graduates, Ambassador Kemayah emphasized the crucial role of education in shaping leaders capable of transforming their communities and society. He challenged the graduates to be more than degree holders, urging them to become “agents of transformation” and to use their knowledge, empathy, and faith to address issues such as inequality, injustice, and despair.
“The world you are entering is filled with opportunities and challenges. As educated leaders, you carry the responsibility to be agents of transformation. Your education has prepared you to confront issues such as inequality, injustice, and despair with knowledge, empathy, and faith,” he said.
He further noted that the value of their education lies not only in what they have learned but in how they apply it to uplift others, emphasizing the need for lifelong learning, advocacy, and servant leadership.
“Your role as leaders in the church and society is vital in promoting a culture of learning, growth, and development,” he remarked.
A key highlight of Ambassador Kemayah’s message was the formal announcement of the reappointment of Rev. Dr. Momolu Armstrong Massaquoi as President of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary for a second five-year term. The decision, which was unanimously endorsed by the Board of Trustees during its last meeting on November 19, 2024, reflects confidence in Rev. Dr. Massaquoi’s leadership and commitment to academic excellence.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees of LBTS and by extension, the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBM&EC), I am delighted to announce that Rev. Dr. Momolu Armstrong Massaquoi has been formally reappointed as president of this premier institution of higher learning for a five-year term,” said Ambassador Kemayah.
The decision was met with widespread applause, with stakeholders acknowledging Rev. Dr. Massaquoi’s leadership in strengthening the seminary’s academic programs, including the launch of the Master of Arts program.
Ambassador Kemayah noted that Rev. Dr. Massaquoi’s reappointment would ensure continuity and sustained growth at LBTS. Plans are already underway for an induction ceremony to formally mark the start of his new term.
“Congratulations once again on your continued leadership of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary,” Ambassador Kemayah concluded.
Ambassador Kemayah also extended his profound gratitude to key stakeholders who have supported the growth of LBTS, particularly the leadership of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBM&EC), chaired by Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Reeves, Jr., as well as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, Her Honor Judge Mother Trustee Eva Mappy-Morgan, and other members of the Board.
He acknowledged the vital role played by the LBTS administration, faculty, and staff, whose combined efforts have driven the seminary’s ongoing transformation. Special thanks were extended to the LBTS Alumni Association, especially its United States Chapter, for their consistent support of the institution’s mission.
Ambassador Kemayah ended his message on an encouraging note, calling on the graduates to live lives of purpose and impact. He reminded them that their education should be a tool for empowerment and transformation, urging them to lead by example in their respective communities and ministries.
“Congratulations, Class of 2024! May your journey ahead be filled with purpose and impact. As you embrace your calling, remember that you have the power to transform lives and communities through your faith and your education,” he declared.
His words resonated deeply with the graduating class and the broader LBTS community, reflecting the broader mission of the seminary — to train and produce transformational leaders who will serve with excellence and integrity.
The 42nd Commencement Convocation of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary (LBTS) will be remembered as a landmark moment, not just for the institution but also for theological education in Liberia. The first-ever cohort of M.A. graduates symbolizes progress, growth, and the fulfillment of a shared vision championed by Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., and his team at the Board of Trustees.
With the reappointment of Rev. Dr. Momolu Armstrong Massaquoi as president and the continuous expansion of academic offerings, LBTS is poised to maintain its status as a leading theological institution in the region.
“Agents of Transformation,” as echoed by Ambassador Kemayah, perfectly encapsulates the heart of this historic moment. For the graduates, this charge serves as both a call to action and a guiding principle as they step into new roles as leaders, educators, and ministers of the Gospel.
