The Inquirer
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

May 27, 2003

The Senior Pastor of the First Assembly of God Church, Rev. Edwin A. Gbelly has outlined the enemies of the nation.

Serving as guest preacher at the Baccalaureate Service of the University of Liberia yesterday, Rev Gbelly said those who use public funds for their personal gain and those who misuse public office to do evil are enemies of the state.

Taking his text from the Book of Ezra Chapter 1, verses 1-4, and using the theme "Empowered to Build", Rev. Gbelly pointed out that those who take children from school and put arms in their hands, and those who are deceiving the little girls and causing them to leave school are enemies of the state.

According to the AG pastor, those who take up arms against their own countrymen and those who employ people, allow the people to work for them and refuse to pay them are also enemies of the state.

Rev. Gbelly who is also the District Superintendent of the Monrovia Assemblies of God, further disclosed that the enemies of the state also include those who employ unqualified people, when qualified people are around; those who have so much and enjoy the national resources, while others suffer; and those who take the law into their hands and run from justice.

He at the same time, asserted that there are enemies of the state even in the church, "those who seek relief items in the name of the church, but direct it to their personal use, and those who misuse church funds are all enemies of the state."

The Baccalaureate preacher, among other things, pointed out that those who sexually engage the wives and children of the church, resulting to problems in homes and those church people who abandon their homes and children are also enemies of the state.

Pastor Gbelly later called on the prospective graduates to rise up and build with the little resources they have, reiterating that "in the face of all the problems, let this nation be built because God has empowered you to build!"