By: Gbayor Charles Gbayor | UM News
Baptist Seminary, Montserrado County–In a spirit of reverence and unity, the Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., visited the Kitty Decker Memorial United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 13, 2025, to lead worship in observance of Palm Sunday. The celebration marked the official beginning of Holy Week, a sacred time in the Christian calendar commemorating the last days of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry.
Palm Sunday holds great significance for Christians globally and locally. It symbolizes Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The event is celebrated with palm branches, symbolizing peace and victory, and chants of “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Delivering the sermon for the special service, Rev. Dr. Anthony G. Dioh, Counseling Elder of the Liberia Annual Conference, spoke passionately under the theme, “On the Road with His Disciples and the Crowd,” based on Luke 19:28-40. He called on the congregation to see themselves as active participants in the journey of faith.
“We are walking on the road with Jesus Christ to Jerusalem,” Rev. Dioh proclaimed. “Today, Jesus enters the city not with force or violence, but with peace and purpose. He rode on a donkey, and the people laid palm branches before Him, shouting, Hosanna!”
Rev. Dioh used the message to challenge believers to remain faithful even in trying times. “Are you on the road with Jesus? Do you have your palm branches, or are you among those asking Him to silence His disciples? Even if they are quiet, the stones will cry out.”
“Jesus didn’t silence His followers because He came not with violence, but with peace,” Rev. Dioh added. “He was not the kind of king that people expected, but He was the Savior we needed. Today, He still weeps—not just for Jerusalem but for Liberia and our divided Church.”
The Palm Sunday gathering also served as a powerful moment of reflection on the internal crisis facing the UMC in Liberia and West Africa. The Church has been grappling with divisions over property rights, misinformation, and leadership disputes. Bishop Quire used his visit to address the ongoing challenges, urging members to remain prayerful, humble, and committed to peace.
“This battle is not ours, but of God,” Bishop Quire told the congregation. “Let us be firm, courageous, and humble. God will fight for us. The situation we are going through will soon come to an end. God will bring this situation to a close. We bring before you, O Lord, the battle ongoing in our Church. Help us with the situation in Liberia and our United Methodist Church. Help us with our Church and fight this battle for us. We believe in you, and we trust that you will end this for us.”
His message echoed the words of Jesus as He wept over Jerusalem—a reminder of the importance of spiritual accountability and compassion in times of turmoil.
The congregation responded with renewed faith, lifting prayers for reconciliation and divine intervention. Bishop Quire’s visit was seen as a bold pastoral move to reinforce unity in a time of institutional uncertainty.
As Christians across Liberia and the world enter Holy Week, the leadership of Bishop Quire serves as a reminder that no matter the storm, faith in God remains the foundation of hope and healing.
“God is still in control,” Bishop Quire reassured his audience. “Let us walk with Jesus—not just to Jerusalem, but through every trial—believing that He will bring us peace.”
