By: Julius Konton
The St. Paul River District of the Liberia Annual Conference of the The United Methodist Church has celebrated its 2026 District Family Program, renewing calls for stronger Christian homes while honoring the ministry and service of Rev. J. Joel Gould and his family during a spiritually significant observance held at the Amelia Ross United Methodist Church in Johnsonville.
Held under the theme “Building Godly Families for Kingdom Service,” the event gathered clergy, church administrators, worshippers, parents, youth, and members of the Christian community in what church leaders described as a renewed effort to reinforce family values as the foundation for spiritual growth, social stability, and church development.
The annual observance, which forms part of broader family-centered ministry activities within the Liberia Annual Conference, placed special emphasis on the importance of unity, moral guidance, spiritual mentorship, and faith-based parenting in an era church leaders say is increasingly marked by social fragmentation, economic hardship, weakening family structures, and moral uncertainty.
A Call for Stronger Christian Families
Delivering the keynote sermon, Samuel J. Quire Jr., Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference, declared that the strength of the church is inseparably connected to the strength of Christian homes.
Addressing worshippers during the celebration, Bishop Quire warned that many families today face mounting pressures ranging from poor communication and financial instability to domestic division, declining moral values, emotional stress, and societal influence that often weakens faith-centered living.
“The church is only as strong as the families within it,” Bishop Quire emphasized, urging believers to rebuild homes centered on prayer, forgiveness, love, worship, accountability, and shared spiritual responsibility.
He noted that a godly family is not necessarily a perfect family, but one deeply committed to Christ and united in service to God.
The bishop challenged parents to embrace their responsibilities as spiritual mentors to their children while encouraging husbands and wives to cultivate deeper unity, mutual respect, patience, compassion, and understanding.
Referencing the biblical message of unity, the bishop invoked Psalm 133, stressing that family harmony creates an environment for peace, healing, progress, and divine blessing.
“Families centered on Christ become testimonies of hope within society,” he told congregants.
Family Stability and Church Growth
Religious scholars and faith-based institutions worldwide have increasingly linked family cohesion to stronger community and institutional resilience.
According to international Christian ministry studies, churches with stronger family engagement often report higher participation in youth programs, volunteer ministries, discipleship activities, and social outreach initiatives.
In many African societies, including Liberia, faith institutions continue to serve as critical centers for moral guidance, conflict mediation, youth development, and community welfare, particularly in post-conflict societies rebuilding social trust and communal identity.
Liberia, a country still recovering from the long-term socioeconomic effects of civil conflict and public health crises such as the Ebola virus disease outbreak, has seen churches and religious institutions play a significant role in reconciliation, social healing, education, and family counseling.
Church leaders at the gathering stressed that strengthening households remains essential to strengthening communities, warning that social instability often begins with fractured family systems.
Rev. J. Joel Gould and Family Honored
A major highlight of the event was the recognition of Rev. J. Joel Gould, Administrative Assistant to Bishop Quire, and his family for what church leaders described as years of faithful service, dedication, and spiritual commitment to both church administration and ministry.
Rev. Gould currently serves in a key leadership role supporting the bishop’s office within the Liberia Annual Conference, contributing to administrative coordination, ministry support, and church governance.
During the recognition ceremony, church leaders praised the Gould family for exemplifying Christian commitment through service, humility, and faithfulness to ministry responsibilities within the St. Paul River District and the wider church community.
Speaking after receiving the honor, Rev. Gould expressed gratitude and humility, saying he and his family felt deeply overwhelmed by the recognition.
According to him, ministry often comes with sacrifice and personal challenges, but faith and commitment to God’s work remain central to his family’s mission.
“We remain committed to supporting the work of God and advancing the mission of the church,” Rev. Gould said while thanking church leaders and members for the honor.
He also paid tribute to Bishop Quire for years of leadership, mentorship, stewardship, and spiritual encouragement, describing the bishop as a source of inspiration to many clergy and lay leaders across Liberia.
Renewed Hope for Families in 2026/2027
As the district officially launched its Family Program for the 2026/2027 conference year, church leaders expressed optimism that the initiative would deepen spiritual renewal among families while helping restore strained relationships and reinforce biblical values.
Mother Lango Toe, speaking during the observance, expressed hope that the program would inspire reconciliation, improve communication within homes, and strengthen Christian parenting and marriage relationships across congregations in the district.
Echoing the biblical declaration, she proclaimed: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Church officials said the Family Program will continue promoting worship-centered households, spiritual mentorship, family prayer, healthy communication, and active participation in ministry.
For many worshippers, the event served not only as a celebration of families but also as a broader reminder that the future of both church and society depends heavily on preserving homes grounded in faith, unity, compassion, and service to God.
