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Profile of an EBC Missionary
Signs of Hope
John Bleah, a native Liberian Christian, graduated from MTU with a BS and MS in Metallurgy. While in Houghton, he attended Evangel and was active in Campus Crusade for Christ. John then went on for a year of study at the International School of Theology in San Bernardino, California. He felt called to return to Liberia and began his ministry in 1983 with Worldwide Evangelization Crusade (WEC) at the United Liberian Inland Church (ULIC) Academy, formerly the Saclepea Inland Mission school.
Ruth (Tour) Bleah earned a BS in Nursing in 1985 from Cuttington University College, Liberia. Ruth works as a nurse in the ULIC Academy Clinic, along with other nurses and midwives, and ministers to students and the public through health care. John and Ruth were married on February 22, 1986. They are blessed with four children: Zlantorwan Jared, Aker Jason, Koyah Jamiah, and Zlankweh Yakerser Janice.
Over the past 14 years John has been first a teacher, then principal of the ULIC Academy. He has also been involved in evangelism and discipleship with Liberian young people. He has spoken at youth conferences and workshops, led Bible studies, and taught leadership training classes to equip Christians for leadership within the church.
The ULIC Academy is a Christian high school whose motto is, "Training the head, heart, and hands to serve God and mankind." The purpose of this institution is to train young people academically and Biblically to know God, to be spiritual leaders in ULIC and the community, and to help in fulfilling the Great Commission. The Academy has a staff of 45, including: teachers, nurses, carpenters, sawers, janitors, cooks, and other administrative staff. The Bleahs also have a ministry of teaching in local churches.
Early in his ministry, John recognized the need and potential for the Academy to become self-supporting through agricultural programs and a medical ministry. In 1986, he and Ruth opened the Clinic and began cultivation of 2 acres of swamp rice. The success of these programs allowed them to expand their efforts. In 1987 the school developed a strategy to become self-sufficient and self supporting by December 31, 1991. Their agricultural efforts expanded with swine and poultry production, sawing and sale of lumber, carpentry, growing oil palm, coffee, and plans for growing and harvesting cocoa and rubber.
The continuing civil upheaval has brought nearly all of these plans to a standstill. Throughout it all, the Bleahs felt that God wanted them to stay in Liberia and continue the ministry. They continue to experience His power, sovereignty, goodness and faithfulness, which John and Ruth attribute to the faithful prayers of their supporters and co-laborers.
John has recently been named the National Coordinator for Planning, Development, and Finance of the National Church (United Liberian Inland Church--an association of 70-some churches with more than 20,000 members). He designs educational and development programs so the Church may become more viable and respond more effectively to the needs of suffering people who need Jesus Christ in their lives. On February 3, 1991, John was ordained as Reverend by the ULIC.
John comments on the challenges, successes, and setbacks of their ministry:
"The Church, in a developing society like Liberia, must have an impact in all facets of the country--its social, cultural, medical, mass media, national affairs, etc. The Church faces the challenge to train manpower and develop a support base to effectively have the impact it must have.
"The war re-ignited in October 1992 . Over 150,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the war, many of these civilians. Hundreds of thousands of refugees have poured across the borders to camps in Cote d'Ivore and Sierra Leone, as have most missionaries and relief agencies.
"The fighting has been devastating to the general population. Food and clean water are in short supply in many areas of the capital, and there has been widespread concern about the spread of disease, namely cholera. Most fighters say becoming a rebel makes better economic sense than living as a civilian: Food and other necessities can be had for 'free' in the bush."
Signs of hope exist. The crisis has strengthened the Church. People are on fire again for the Lord. The crisis has driven Christians to new prayer and earnestness for the gospel. Christians have had miraculous deliverences. John writes, "There have been times when war and destruction were at our very doorsteps. Through prayer the Lord delivered us and He continues to protect us from all of Satan's vices." Soldiers have repented of horrible crimes, and there have been localized revivals in the midst of sorrow. John asks, "Pray for us that God may protect us from the evil one. Pray for Liberia that God may solve the on-going conflict and bring peace to our country."
Please pray for the Bleahs and for Liberia:
Care Package Items:
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord
may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And
pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not
everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen
and protect you from the evil one. --Thessalonians 3:1-3