MONROVIA: Former Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Dr. Joseph Mills Jones Vice running-mate in the 2017 Presidential and Legislative elections, Dr. Samuel Reeves, has been elected as President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC).
Both Dr. Jones and Reeves canvassed following a National Convention of the political party, styled: “Movement For Economic Empowerment” (MOVEE), which platform was mostly based on empowering women.
However, MOVEE managed to secure only three percent of the total votes cast during the 2017 polls.
Interestingly, constituent member churches of the LCC, over the weekend elected Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Reeves, Jr., as its new president, replacing tough-talking Rev./ Dr. Kortu Brown.
Reports say Dr. Browne’s two-term tenure expired since 2019, but was still serving the top LCC post due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, the LCC Executives asked the outgoing President to hold on until May this year.
Rev. Dr. Reeves, who is also tough-talking Baptist Prelate, was elected on Friday, May 27, 2022, to serve a two-year term.
Dr. Samuel Reeves, Jr., is the Presiding Pastor of the Providence Baptist Church, located at the corner of Ashmun, Center and Broad Streets, the Church in which the Declaration of Independence of Liberia was signed.
Rev. Reeves promised structural and administrative reforms at the LCC.
Speaking at the climax of the Liberia Council of Churches 33rd Annual General Assembly, President- elect, Reeves who is also the Head of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention described his election by the LCC as an honor and privilege.
He pledged to steer the affairs of the LCC with more collaborated efforts as he recognizes himself as the head of a team but promises to see more of the team and less of him.
Dr. Reeves was full of praises for his predecessor, Bishop Kortu K. Brown, whom he has had a long standing relationship with and offered to closely work with him in order to take the LCC to another level.
Dr. Reeves indicated that the outgoing leadership shift the helm of authority from a position they have bettered and so would he and his team turn over leadership after service better to whoever comes after.
He further promised to embark on an administrative and structural reforms so that the LCC can continue to be a place of integrity in the Republic of Liberia.
Dr. Reeves further called on everyone for support and bare no excuses in the strive to collectively take the LCC from heights to higher heights.
At the same time, the Baptist Prelate promised that the Liberia Council of Churches won’t be a friend or an enemy to the government but partners as they look to work for the progress and development of Liberia.
Authoritative sources within the Weah-led administration said the ruling establishment is not happy about the election of Dr. Reeves, because according to them, the Baptist Prelate has a side in the political discourse of Liberia.
The sources said, Dr. Reeves has been critical of the Weah government since its incumbency and as such, he (LCC President) will use the Council of Churches platform to carry out more criticisms of the government as the country fast approaches the crucial National Elections come 2023.
In October 2020, Rev. Samuel B. Reeves, Jr. was elected as President of Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, during its 46 mid-year extra ordinary session.
The 46 mid-year extraordinary session became imperative due to the emergence of the Coronavirus pandemic which undermined the holding of the regular Baptist Convention in accordance with the by-laws of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, requiring elections in April.
The Preston University Theological veteran defeated his main contenders, Rev. Max Johnson and Rev./ Dr. Benjamin Yaneh, 89 to 48 and 42 votes respectively.
A total of 180 registered members of the LBMEC participated in the elections.
