Weteken Township, Grand Kru – Seven United Methodist Conference districts in southeastern Liberia have converged for the seventh annual Southeastern Region United Methodist Fellowship (SRUMEF) gathering. The four-day spiritual and development-driven celebration was held at the Bestman Poo Kolenky United Methodist Church in Weteken Township, Grand Kru County, from July 17–20, 2025, under the theme: “Keep Your Eyes on Jesus, Not the World” (Matthew 14: 26 – 33).
The participating districts—Gee River, Barrobo, Cape Palmas, Sinoe, Nana Kru, Kru Coast, and host Garraway represent the heart of United Methodist presence and mission outreach in southeastern Liberia. The SRUMEF gathering seeks to strengthen not only spiritual ties, but also to build stronger local churches through leadership training, evangelism, and collaborative development efforts.
Speaking at the opening service, Rev. Wellity Tarlesson, District Superintendent of the Gee River District and Chairperson of SRUMEF, described the gathering as a revival movement for the region.“This is not just a time for worship and praise,” he declared. “It’s a time to unite as one body of Christ, to go into the communities and spread the message of hope, and to invest in the growth of our districts. After this program, Cape Palmas and Garraway Districts will receive cash support to boost their development efforts.”
Throughout the event, participants are engaging in prayer services, revival meetings, community outreach, Bible teachings, and Church growth workshops. The sessions are designed to equip local pastors, youth leaders, and laity with the spiritual and practical tools needed to build sustainable ministries and vibrant congregations in their respective districts.
One of the notable teaching sessions was be led by Rev. Brownell B. Konton Sr., District Superintendent of Nana Kru District and Co-Chair of SRUMEF, who will speak on “The Sustainability of a Local Church in the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.” His teaching empowered local church leaders to think strategically about resource mobilization, accountability, and mission continuity.
A major highlight of the celebration occurred on Saturday, when members from all seven districts paraded through the principal streets of Weteken, dressed in the fellowship (SRUMEF) colors and cultural attire. The parade intended as both a public witness of their faith and a visual expression of the unity and strength of the United Methodist Church in the southeast.
On Sunday, Rev. Gregory Nimely, District Superintendent of Barrobo Circuit, served as the concluding preacher for the event. His sermon reflected on the gathering’s core focus evangelism, fellowship, and development and issue a spiritual charge to participants to return to their communities with renewed zeal for ministry.
The people of Garraway and surrounding towns welcomed the gathering with open arms, expressing joy at the spiritual and social impact the fellowship has already begun to generate. The influx of visitors has not only brought spiritual renewal but also temporary economic relief for local vendors and transport operators.“We are here to remind ourselves of our calling and to live out our faith with action, love, and unity,” said Rev. Nimely. “SRUMEF is not just a program—it’s a spiritual revival, a community-building effort, and a declaration that the Church is alive and active, this celebration is done rationally and rotationally.”
As the program draws to a close, leaders of the participating districts are expected to hold a strategic planning session to outline new initiatives for continued collaboration. Key priorities include follow-up evangelism campaigns, youth and women empowerment programs, church planting, and leadership development.
The United Methodist Church in Liberia, through regional fellowships like (SRUMEF), continues to be a pillar of hope, faith, and social transformation, especially in Liberia’s rural and hard-to-reach communities. This gathering in Weteken stands as a vibrant example of what is possible when the Church comes together with a shared mission and vision for God’s Kingdom.
