President Joseph N. Boakai Sr. on Saturday, June 15, 2024 broke ground for the construction of Mother Vera A. Stephens Ministries (Mission School) in Margibi County. The project, which costs US$3 million, is a dream of Rachel Stephens to keep Mother Vera A. Stephens’ mission alive despite her death.
Some of those whom she reared continue Mother Stephens vision, and have impacted several Liberians, nationwide and worldwide.
The 70 acres of land was acquired from the Kaine’s family in district #4, Margibi County. About 40 acres of this land has been cleared for the commencement of the project.
However, recalling the late missionary’s shared lifestyle before he broke the ground, President Boakai said Mother Stephens feared God and was faithful, adding that she loved children and educated them.
The President, whose eyes were misty when he historicized the late missionary’s lifestyle, encouraged every Liberian to exercise the shared lifestyle, observing that a shared-lifestyle society empowers people and promotes love and unity. He explained his long-time impactful experience with Mother Stephens in Liberia.
President Boakai revealed that a society where the youthful population is not brought up by Godly training produces “clear devils”, and that is why the society disregard moral norms, and immorality is on the rise. He urged Liberian to follow the footsteps of Mother Stephens in impacting people despite human nature of not paying back good.
The President broke ground and pledged 1,000 cement bags as his first initial construction, and in the same manner several pledges were made for the mission’s construction by government’s officials.
In a related development, former senator of Margibi County, Roland Kaine, has given President Boakai twenty-five acres of land for agriculture purpose. The program was graced by a cross-section government officials including the county’s local authority.
According to Rachel Stephens, the vision bearer and CEO, the mission will encompass high school, clinic, vocational school, children’s playground, staff compound and other facilities, with the sole purpose of educating and Christianizing Liberian children.
Vera A. Stephens, an ardent missionary, answered Christ’s Great Commission by departing from her hometown of Chicago, Illinois, and traveling to Monrovia, Liberia, in 1966. There, she developed her love for Liberia and her devotion to educating children. Inspired by her faith, she envisioned a children’s boarding school that would cater to underserved and frequently impoverished children.
In 1983, her vision materialized with the establishment of the Bethesda Christian boarding school in Liberia. The school aimed to educate children while instilling Christian principles of love and service. Despite the challenges posed by the violent Liberian civil war from 1989 to 1995, Mother Stephens remained persistent, defying evacuation orders to stay with her students. Her unwavering commitment inspired many to embrace Christ and pursue education even in the face of adversity.
Mother Vera A. Stephens, born in Chicago in 1918, dedicated her life to child evangelism. Her vision went beyond the confines of existing programs, leading her to establish the Bethesda Christian Mission School independently. Classes began on March 7, 1983, on a ten-acre property generously granted by President William R. Tolbert, Jr.
Today, Vera A. Stephens Christian Ministries continues her legacy, reaching children far and wide, empowering them with knowledge and Godly principles. “Our mission aligns with the timeless wisdom of Proverbs 22:6: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’”