Blogs
- Visit the blog of Aaron and Emily (Loeks) Kortenhoven, volunteer missionaries in Sierra Leone.
- Visit the blog of the CRC in British Columbia and their partnership with the CRC in Sierra Leone.
Video: Sierra Leone
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Africa: Sierra Leone
Mission History
In 1979 the Christian Reformed Church in North America, through its synod, decided to make a positive difference in one of the poorest African countries: Sierra Leone. Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) & the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) started to work together to bring the gospel to Sierra Leone in word and deed. Later, their efforts were combined under the name of Christian Extension Services (CES), now an non-governmental organization (NGO) run by Sierra Leoneans.
CES ministered among the Kuranko-speaking people in the northern part of Sierra Leone in the Koinadugu district through the developmental activities:
- Health services were offered to poor people through health centers.
- Agriculture instruction helped people improve farming procedures to create food sufficiency, improving their quality of life.
- Clean water was provided through water gravity system, which reduced the incidence of diarrhea and infant and child mortality.
- Adult literacy programs taught adults how to read and write.
- Life survival skills and micro credit loans were given to women to start small businesses, improving people’s economic position.
Even during the bloody civil war that rocked the country for 11 years the ministry work continued. This helped CES to lay a credible foundation for the growth of the church in a Muslim-dominated area. By 2006, the above ministry, coupled with evangelism, gave birth to 36 congregations that had an average church attendance of 600+. In February of 2007 the church was officially registered as the Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone.
Growth of the Church
Between 2006 and 2009 the church has experienced tremendous growth. There are now 54 churches with the total average attendance of 4,000+ between all these churches. This growth has overwhelmed the current leadership and more help is needed to handle the dramatic increase in church members.
Mission & Vision
World Missions goal, as it works alongside the Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone and other partners, is to help develop an indigenous church that will be self-proclaiming and self-supportive in its holistic ministry in Sierra Leone. It is our hope and prayer that the CRC of Sierra Leone will impact their communities in ways that allow others to experience God’s Kingdom.
Current Activities of the Church
- Church planting: We are concentrating our efforts in villages that have not heard the Good News of the Gospel.
- Leadership development: Quarterly leadership training workshops are offered for both the clergy and the laity in order to develop the indigenous leadership of the church.
- Theological training: We send students to the existing theological colleges in Sierra Leone. There are currently three students studying at Sierra Leone Theological College.
- Youth ministry: We have doubled our efforts in youth evangelism and youth group organization which includes teaching and bible studies to ensure spiritual growth and Christian character formation. A youth coordinator responsible for this ministry has also been hired.
- Women’s ministry: Our women’s ministry promotes evangelism and spirituality. If funds are provided, we plan to hire a suitable woman to coordinate this program.
- Charity/diaconal work: For those who cannot afford them, the mission and new churches are helping less fortunate children with school fees and health expenses.
- Mobilizing worshiping communities: We are helping worshipping communicates to acquire land for agriculture purposes and for building local church structures.
- Literacy classes: We have started literacy classes to teach people how to read and write in their own language.
- HIV/AIDS: We have an HIV/AIDS awareness program among the youth in Koinadugu district. This district is the poorest of all the districts in the country and has the highest occurrence rate of HIV/AIDS.
- Ecumenical activities: We are working together with 18 other churches in the district and we chair the pastor’s council.
- Micro-credit program: We have created a micro-credit program for women which has a pay-back record of 98%.
- Preaching: Leaders we have trained, and those we continue to train, preach the Word of God in churches throughout Sierra Leone.
- Education: In partnership with Christian schools in Canada, as well as major donors in the USA, a Christian school has been started. Providing excellent education and a Christian world and life view, this is a natural way to share the Message of Hope to Muslim children and eventually to their families.
Prayer & Support
The most important gift you can give missionaries is a daily prayer for their lives and work. At any given time Christian Reformed World Missions supports over 200 long-term and short-term missionaries located in over 20 countries around the world. Through partnerships, our work extends to over 30 countries. These people have been called, commissioned, and sent by Christian Reformed churches to represent our devotion to Jesus Christ, and to urge others to accept His offer of salvation.
Currently Serving in Sierra Leone
Partners in Sierra Leone
Christian Extension Services (CES)
Reformed Church of Zambia (RCZ)
Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone (CRC-SL)