Ebenezer Baptist Church Embarks on Historic Inaugural Mission Trip to the Republic of Liberia

The Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia — spiritual home of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and affectionately known as “America’s Freedom Church” — has marked a new chapter in its global witness. Under the prophetic leadership of Senior Pastor, the Reverend Senator Raphael G. Warnock, the first African American elected by the people of Georgia to serve in the United States Senate, and the dedicated guidance of the Reverend Bronson Elliott Woods, Associate Pastor of Global Missions, a delegation of twenty members of the church embarked on its inaugural mission trip to the Republic of Liberia.

This mission reflects Ebenezer’s enduring commitment to being an urban-based, global ministry dedicated to individual growth and social transformation by living out the message and carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ.

A Delegation of Distinction

Among the distinguished members of the delegation were long-time Ebenezer member and renowned cardiologist, Dr. Jayne Morgan; Trustee Virginia Harris, President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women; Dr. Barney Graham, Professor of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology and Senior Advisor for Global Health Equity at Morehouse School of Medicine; Dr. Cynthia Graham, celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions as a psychiatrist and healthcare administrator; and Dr. Frank Glover, a respected urologist and public health leader. Together with other committed disciples from Ebenezer, these leaders carried both the legacy of freedom and the mission of service into West Africa.

Covenant of Sisterhood Between Two Freedom Churches

At the heart of the journey was the formalization of a historic Sister Church relationship with Providence Baptist Church of Monrovia, Liberia, known as “The Cornerstone of the Nation” and revered as “Liberia’s Freedom Church.” Under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Samuel B. Reeves, Providence and Ebenezer joined hands and hearts in covenant partnership. The relationship was solemnized in a written agreement, affirming their shared commitment to the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ and the work of justice, reconciliation, and service.

The two congregations spent meaningful days together, not only in worship and fellowship, but also in mission — responding to the pressing human conditions of the community. Together they served the beloved “Gospel Hot Meals” at Providence, embodying the command of Christ: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” These acts of compassion strengthened bonds of kinship between Atlanta and Monrovia, between America’s Freedom Church and Liberia’s Freedom Church.

Immersion into Liberian History and Culture

The delegation experienced a profound immersion into Liberia’s rich history and culture. On Providence Island, where freed African Americans first landed and encountered the native peoples, Ebenezer’s members walked upon sacred ground. It was there that the story of Liberia began — founded as a homeland for formerly enslaved Africans seeking freedom. Standing on the island, the delegation was reminded of the unbreakable ties between the struggles for liberation in Africa and the African American freedom movement that has defined Ebenezer’s own witness in the United States.

Honored by Liberia’s Leaders

In addition to mission and historical reflection, the delegation was warmly embraced by Liberia’s leaders. They were honored with a private luncheon in the home of Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman elected President of Liberia and the first female to serve as head of state on the African continent. Her presence embodied the resilience and pioneering spirit of African women in leadership.

The mission team was also formally welcomed at the Executive Mansion by Liberia’s current President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., and First Lady, Kartumu Y. Boakai. The reception served as both a symbol of hospitality and a testament to the deep respect shared between the Liberian people and Ebenezer Baptist Church.

A Rich Exchange of Spirit and Solidarity

Throughout their time in Liberia, Ebenezer’s delegation encountered a sacred exchange: the giving and receiving of faith, culture, and friendship. The mission was not one-sided charity, but rather a partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared vision. American disciples and Liberian brothers and sisters together proclaimed that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not bound by geography, but is alive wherever justice is pursued, dignity is affirmed, and community is strengthened.

Leadership and Vision

This historic mission was made possible through the tireless leadership of Reverend Bronson Elliott Woods, Associate Pastor for Global Missions at Ebenezer, whose vision and commitment guided every detail of the journey. He worked in close partnership with Reverend Laura Pritchard of Providence Baptist Church, along with Cynthia Blandford and Val Thompson of Blandford Thompson Consulting, LLC, whose expertise in global engagement ensured that the mission was carried out with excellence and care.

As Ebenezer looks toward the future, the church remains faithful to its calling: to be both local and global, rooted in Atlanta yet reaching across oceans, lifting up the cause of freedom, justice, and love. Just as Dr. King once declared that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” so too does Ebenezer’s mission in Liberia affirm that the struggle for human dignity and the proclamation of the Gospel know no borders.

This inaugural mission was more than a trip — it was a spiritual homecoming, a new covenant, and a bold step into God’s vision of a beloved community without walls.

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