Sierra Leone Evangelical Mission Association

25/09/2026

Via’s Africa Director John Allert Challenges SLEMA Leaders to Build a Grassroots Mission Movement

The Africa Director of Via, John Allert, has challenged the leadership of the Sierra Leone Evangelical Mission Association (SLEMA) to look beyond programmes and events and focus on building a sustainable mission movement that reaches Christians at the grassroots.

Allert delivered a keynote presentation during the training of SLEMA’s executive members held as part of the association’s official launch in Bo City on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

He said successful movements require a compelling vision, a simple and transferable message, rapid multiplication and strong grassroots participation.

Allert encouraged SLEMA leaders to present God’s mission not simply as a Christian obligation but as an opportunity for believers to participate actively in what God is doing in the world.

He identified the mission mobiliser as a key driver of a mission movement, describing the role as one that involves raising awareness, educating Christians, recruiting others and helping the Church rediscover its missionary calling.

According to Allert, mobilisation should begin with God and prayer while also involving church leaders and external partners with expertise, training, resources and experience.

He introduced a practical framework to help Christians understand and participate in mission through what he described as God’s Word, God’s World, God’s Work and “Where Are You?”

The framework is intended to help believers understand what Scripture teaches about mission, recognise the realities and needs of the world, identify practical opportunities to participate and determine their personal role in God’s mission.

Allert identified five pathways through which Christians can participate in mission: Go, Send, Pray, Welcome and Mobilize.

He explained that missionary participation is not limited to travelling to distant communities or countries. Christians can contribute through prayer, financial and practical support, cross-cultural relationships, hospitality, professional skills, community engagement and helping other believers discover their own missionary calling.

A major focus of his presentation was multiplication. Allert challenged mission mobilisers to reproduce themselves by identifying and training others who can subsequently mobilise more people.

Using a multiplication model in which one mobiliser develops two new mobilisers who then reproduce the process, he demonstrated how a relatively small number of committed mobilisers could grow into a much larger network over time.

He therefore encouraged SLEMA to take mission beyond organisational leadership and into churches, communities, schools, universities and professional networks, while engaging people across different age groups and areas of society.

For Allert, the effectiveness of a mission movement should be reflected not simply in the number of conferences or programmes it organises, but in its ability to mobilise ordinary Christians, develop mission champions and create a culture of intentional multiplication.

His presentation challenged SLEMA’s executive members to build a movement in which believers understand their role in God’s mission and actively participate through going, sending, praying, welcoming and mobilising others.

25/09/2026

SLEMA Board Chairman Rev. Johnson Urges Stronger Church-Missionary Partnerships at SLEMA Official Launch

SLEMA Board Chairman Rev. Johnson has called for stronger collaboration between missionaries and local churches, stressing that effective missionary work should be rooted in partnership, accountability and shared responsibility.

Rev. Johnson made the call during a training programme for executive members of the Sierra Leone Evangelical Mission Association (SLEMA), held as part of the association’s official launch in Bo City on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

He said missionaries should not operate independently of local congregations but should be recognised, supported, prayed for, sent and held accountable by the Church.

Drawing from Acts 13:1–3, Rev. Johnson presented the church at Antioch as a biblical model of a congregation that prayed, discerned and deliberately commissioned missionaries for the work.

He described the missionary as a servant leader, pioneer and church planter rather than a boss or independent operator.

According to Rev. Johnson, missionary work should extend beyond reaching people and planting churches to include discipleship, the development of indigenous leaders and the establishment of churches capable of continuing their work after missionaries leave.

He stressed the importance of sustainability in mission, arguing that missionary efforts should move beyond dependency towards multiplication, producing more disciples, leaders, churches and missionaries.

Rev. Johnson also outlined key elements of effective partnerships between missionaries and local churches, including a shared vision, clearly defined responsibilities, humility, regular communication, accountability, resource sharing, measurable objectives and continuous training and leadership development.

He urged churches to view mission as a collective responsibility rather than an activity reserved for a small group of individuals.

According to him, the entire membership of the Church can participate in mission through prayer, giving, going, supporting missionaries and developing future leaders.

His presentation formed part of the training provided to SLEMA’s executive members as the association seeks to establish a sustainable mission movement built on stronger cooperation between missionaries and local churches.

Rev. Johnson’s emphasis on partnership, accountability and multiplication provided a framework for SLEMA’s leadership as it begins its work of mobilising churches and advancing missionary engagement across Sierra Leone.

25/09/2026

SLEMA President Thomas Amara Outlines Vision and Leadership Direction at Bo Launch

Sierra Leone Evangelical Mission Association (SLEMA) President Evangelist Thomas Amara has outlined the association’s mission, vision, core values and leadership structure as the organisation was officially launched in Bo City.

Amara presented the background to SLEMA and explained its purpose and strategic direction during the official launch on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

His address provided participants with an overview of the identity and mandate of the newly established national mission association, highlighting its commitment to strengthening the Church and advancing missionary engagement across Sierra Leone.

Amara explained the organisational framework through which SLEMA intends to pursue its mission, providing pastors, missionaries, church leaders, Christian workers and other stakeholders with a clearer understanding of the association’s direction.

The President’s presentation formed a central part of the official proceedings, setting out the foundation for SLEMA’s work as a coordinated national mission movement focused on strengthening the Church, equipping missionaries and Christian leaders, mobilising believers and advancing the Gospel.

Following his address, Amara formally appointed SLEMA’s executive members to various positions within the association.

The appointments established the leadership structure responsible for translating SLEMA’s stated mission and vision into practical action at national and district levels.

The launch marked an important stage in the establishment of SLEMA as a national platform for mission mobilisation and cooperation among churches, missionaries and Christian leaders.

Amara’s presentation and the subsequent appointment of the executive members provided the organisational foundation for the association as it begins implementing its mission and strategic direction across Sierra Leone and beyond.

27/08/2026

EVENT UPDATE: Via’s Africa Director, John Allert Joins SLEMA at Official Launch in Bo District, Affirms Support

👇👇

Via Nations, a multinational, non-denominational Christian mission ...

23/08/2026

SLEMA Officially Launched in Bo, Unveils Bold Vision to Mobilize Churches, Multiply Mission Across Sierra Leone

By Sahid Bangura

The Sierra Leone Evangelical Mission Association (SLEMA) has been officially launched in Bo City, marking a significant milestone in the establishment of a coordinated national mission movement committed to strengthening the Church, equipping missionaries and Christian leaders, mobilising believers and advancing the Gospel across Sierra Leone and beyond.

The historic launch, held on Saturday, 22 August 2026, brought together pastors, missionaries, church leaders, Christian workers, young people and other stakeholders, alongside national and international mission leaders and partners.

The official ceremony followed a comprehensive training programme for SLEMA's executive members, designed to strengthen their understanding of missionary leadership, healthy collaboration between missionaries and local churches, leadership development, mission mobilisation and the building of a sustainable and multiplying mission movement.

In his opening address, SLEMA President Evangelist Thomas Amara provided a detailed background to the establishment of the association, outlining its mission, vision, core values and leadership structure. He explained the purpose and strategic direction of SLEMA and highlighted the association's commitment to strengthening the Church and advancing missionary engagement throughout Sierra Leone.

Evangelist Amara's address formally set the tone for the launch, providing participants with a broader understanding of the identity, mandate and organisational framework of the newly established national mission association.

The President subsequently concluded the official proceedings with the formal appointment of SLEMA's executive members to various offices within the association, establishing the leadership structure responsible for translating the organisation's vision and mission into practical action at national and district levels.

The launch was complemented by keynote presentations delivered by SLEMA Board Chairman Rev. Johnson and international mission leader John Allert, whose contributions formed part of the training sessions conducted for SLEMA's executive members.

Speaking during the training, Rev. Johnson emphasised that effective missionary work must be founded on strong collaboration between missionaries and the local church.

He stressed that missionaries should not operate independently of local congregations but should be recognised, supported, prayed for, sent and held accountable by the Church. Drawing from Acts 13:1–3, he presented the church at Antioch as a biblical model of a congregation that prayed, discerned and deliberately commissioned missionaries for the work.

Rev. Johnson further described the missionary as a servant leader, pioneer and church planter, rather than a boss or independent operator. He said missionaries must focus not only on reaching people and planting churches but also on discipling believers, developing indigenous leaders and establishing churches capable of continuing the work after the missionary's departure.

According to him, sustainable mission must move beyond dependency towards multiplication, with the ultimate objective of producing more disciples, more leaders, more churches and more missionaries.

He also called for clear partnerships between missionaries and local churches, including shared vision, clearly defined responsibilities, mutual humility, regular communication, accountability, resource sharing, measurable objectives and continuous training and leadership development.

Rev. Johnson maintained that missionary collaboration must be based on collective ownership of God's mission, urging churches to move away from viewing missions as the responsibility of a few individuals and instead mobilise their entire membership to participate through prayer, giving, going, supporting and leadership development.

The training also featured a major keynote presentation by SLEMA's international guest from the United Kingdom, London, John Allert, who challenged the executive members to look beyond programmes and events and focus on building a genuine mission movement that reaches ordinary Christians at the grassroots.

Allert explained that every successful movement requires a compelling vision, a simple and transferable message, rapid multiplication and strong grassroots participation. He argued that God's mission should be presented not merely as a Christian obligation but as an extraordinary opportunity for believers to participate in what God is doing in the world.

He identified the mission mobiliser as a critical driver of a mission movement, describing the mobiliser as someone who raises awareness, educates Christians, recruits others and helps the Church rediscover its missionary calling.

According to Allert, mobilisation must begin with God and prayer while also engaging church leaders from the top down and working with external partners capable of providing expertise, training, resources and experience.

He introduced a practical framework through which Christians can understand and participate in God's mission: God's Word, God's World, God's Work and “Where Are You?”

The framework is intended to help believers understand what Scripture teaches about God's mission, recognise the realities and needs of the world, discover practical ways to participate and personally determine their place in God's mission.

Allert identified five practical pathways through which Christians can participate: Go, Send, Pray, Welcome and Mobilize.

He explained that mission is not restricted to travelling to distant communities or countries. Christians can participate through prayer, financial and practical support, cross-cultural relationships, hospitality, professional skills, community engagement and by helping other believers discover their own missionary calling.

A major emphasis of the training was the principle of multiplication. Allert challenged mission mobilisers to reproduce themselves by identifying and training others who can subsequently do the same.

Using a multiplication model in which one mobiliser develops two new mobilisers who then reproduce the process, he demonstrated how a relatively small number of committed mobilisers could grow into tens of thousands within a decade.

For SLEMA, the implication is that its effectiveness will not be measured merely by the number of conferences, training programmes or missions events it organises, but by its capacity to mobilise ordinary Christians, develop mission champions and establish a culture in which believers continually reproduce themselves in mission.

The training therefore placed strong emphasis on taking mission beyond organisational leadership and into churches, communities, schools, universities and professional networks, while engaging children, youth, young adults, university students, professionals, church leaders, missionaries and older Christians.

The official launch consequently represents more than the inauguration of another Christian organisation. It signals SLEMA's ambition to serve as a national platform for mission mobilisation, missionary development, church collaboration and the multiplication of Gospel-centred communities and leaders.

The association's vision is anchored in the conviction that the Church in Sierra Leone has a central role to play in God's mission and that sustainable missionary impact requires meaningful partnership between local churches, missionaries, Christian leaders and mission organisations.

Through its national and district leadership structures, SLEMA seeks to strengthen cooperation among evangelical churches and mission stakeholders while creating opportunities for training, mobilisation, church planting, discipleship, leadership development and strategic engagement with communities that remain underserved or unreached by the Gospel.

The launch in Bo therefore marks the beginning of what SLEMA hopes will develop into a broader national mission movement-one that moves mission from the conference hall to the local church, from organisational leadership to the grassroots, and from individual participation to intentional multiplication.

At the heart of the SLEMA vision is a simple progression: God's Word must shape God's people; God's people must understand God's world; and God's people must respond by participating in God's work.

The ultimate objective is not simply to create more mission programmes, but to cultivate a generation of Christians who understand their role in God's mission, actively participate through going, sending, praying, welcoming and mobilising, and intentionally equip others to do the same.

With its official launch and the appointment of its executive leadership now completed, SLEMA enters a new phase of translating its vision into action. The association's newly appointed leadership is expected to build on the training and strategic direction provided during the launch period by strengthening partnerships, equipping the Church and mobilising believers towards a sustainable and multiplying mission movement capable of advancing the Gospel across Sierra Leone and beyond.

For More Enquires, Contact:
©️SLEMA’s Communications and Outreach Unit
WhatsApp: +23276294676
Tel.: +23230682495 / +23278 503969
Email: [email protected]

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio
Sylvia Olayinka Blyden
BORN 2 BLOG
Mustapha Njie - TAF
Sarah Kallay Blog

16/02/2026

Upon leaving the court today Richard conteh and another APC supporter took an interview with journalists, in the interview they said they won the 2023 election and that calling president Bio a thief wasn't only done by them , other people were doing it too.

All of these things said out there today was officially signed for by the APC to abstain from, one of which is the tripartite recommendations and unity agreement which gives the right to president Bio to rule the country 🇸🇱 as a full blown legal president who won through the ballot box, if you totally agree on that , why are you out here saying you win the election, the present leader of the APC Osman Foday yansaneh had an interview two days ago with liberty online TV, in that interview he said they deliberately didn't go for the results because it will take a very long time to get answers from the judiciary, meaning they didn't trust the judiciary.

Secondly the APC hierarchies especially Lansana Dumbuya signed up to PPRC to avoid speechs that will bring unrest in the country, why are you out here again calling president Bio a thief when you officially agreed to everything, documents are there to prove that you signed up for everything.

Now for Lansana Dumbuya to be out, APC needs to abstain from the behaviors that they signed up to totally deviate from, if they say give a prove that president Bio is a thief you don't have it , if they say prove the results were taken from you, you still can't defend it..

Let's keep quiet and remove Lansana Dumbuya from pademba road, it's very simple, outside silence it will be hard o, they will adjourned till you keep quiet, they will say revoke his bails until you acknowledge he was wrong.

CULLED: SLPP & APC Audio

16/02/2026

Strong Message to All Sierra Leonean Mothers! Underage Prostitution Must Stop!

06/02/2026

UNDP Launches Youth-Led Circular Economy and Zero-Waste Initiatives in Sierra Leone

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with government institutions and development partners, has launched two initiatives aimed at strengthening waste management systems and promoting a circular economy in Sierra Leone.

The initiatives Youth for Circularity 2030 and Shifting to Zero Waste Against Pollution (SWAP) were introduced during an inception meeting held on Thursday, 5 February 2026, at the Sierra Palms Resort in Freetown. The meeting brought together representatives from government, academia, civil society, the private sector and youth organisations.

According to UNDP, the SWAP project is a USD 5.4 million programme funded by the Global Environment Facility and will be implemented over a six-year period. The Environmental Protection Agency of Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) and the Freetown City Council are among the key implementing partners.

Speaking at the launch, Tanzila Watta Sankoh, Team Lead for PC5D&R at UNDP Sierra Leone, said the initiatives are designed to combine youth-led innovation with broader environmental and institutional reforms. She also disclosed that UNDP has secured funding from Samsung to pilot an electronic waste (e-waste) collection programme in Sierra Leone, describing it as a first-of-its-kind partnership for UNDP with a global mobile technology company. The pilot, she noted, is expected to inform future scale-up efforts.
Delivering the keynote address, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Kelvin Petrini highlighted the growing scale of waste generation in Freetown, noting that the city currently produces more than 135,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste annually. He added that this figure could exceed 350,000 tonnes by 2030 if current trends continue.

Petrini said inadequate waste management has contributed to environmental pollution, blocked drainage systems, increased flooding risks and public health concerns, particularly around major dumping sites such as Granville Brook and Kington. He explained that the SWAP initiative seeks to promote waste as a resource that can support recycling, job creation and economic opportunities.

He further stated that SWAP forms part of a USD 28 million global programme being implemented in five pilot cities worldwide, including Freetown, with a focus on strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, promoting sustainable financing, supporting environmentally sound technologies and encouraging inclusive public participation.

In his opening remarks, EPA-SL Executive Chairperson Abu Bakarr Massaquoi outlined key challenges within the country’s waste management system, including weak household-level waste segregation, limited incentives, poor enforcement and the dominance of informal value chains. He said the agency has developed a national waste inventory, incorporating an e-waste inventory completed with World Bank support.

Massaquoi also revealed that EPA-SL is exploring the establishment of an integrated chemical and waste management facility to serve as a central hub for hazardous waste handling, storage, treatment, learning and innovation. He noted that pilot interventions under SWAP would prioritise community engagement, local solutions, private sector participation and long-term financing partnerships.

Speaking on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Fourah Bay College, Dr Michael Conten, Dr Samba Sesay said the initiatives come at a time when Sierra Leone faces increasing waste generation, environmental degradation and youth unemployment. He explained that the country’s traditional linear approach to waste management extract, consume and dispose is unsustainable, and that a circular economy model offers opportunities for resource efficiency, recycling, innovation and job creation.

Dr Sesay added that SWAP aligns with national development priorities, including the National Medium-Term Development Plan, environmental and sanitation policies, and youth empowerment strategies, as well as regional development agendas.

Representing the Freetown City Council, Deputy Mayor Kweku M. Lisk said the project would support the city’s climate action efforts through the introduction of best practices, innovative technologies and strategic partnerships.

From the youth perspective, Osman Fenfaquee, a Computer Science student at the University of Makeni, said that while awareness of waste management exists among young people, practical knowledge on waste sorting remains limited. He noted that digital tools and innovation could improve waste reporting, coordination and public engagement.

The inception meeting is intended to guide the effective implementation of the initiatives by clarifying stakeholder roles, strengthening partnerships and aligning activities toward the goal of achieving zero waste and reduced pollution in Sierra Leone.

06/02/2026

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio Named Among Africa’s 100 Most Influential Women for 2025

First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio, has been named among the 100 Most Influential Women in Africa for 2025, a recognition that highlights her role in public service and advocacy for women and girls.

The recognition, announced as part of the 2025 Avance Media list of Africa’s 100 Most Influential Women, places First Lady Bio among women from across the continent who are acknowledged for leadership, advocacy, and contributions in various sectors, including governance, social development, business, and civil society.

In a statement following the announcement, First Lady Bio described the honor as a “profound” one and expressed appreciation to the people of Sierra Leone and those who have supported her work. She attributed the recognition to what she described as the grace of Allah and the collective support of Sierra Leoneans. She also said the acknowledgment reinforces her commitment to continue working in the areas of women’s empowerment, girls’ education, and broader humanitarian efforts.

Since assuming the role of First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio has been a visible advocate for gender equality and the protection of women’s and girls’ rights. Her initiatives have included campaigns against sexual and gender-based violence, support for girls’ access to education, and engagement with national and international partners on policies aimed at improving the status of women.

The Avance Media list is published annually and recognizes African women whose work is considered to have a measurable impact within their communities, countries, or across the continent. Selection is typically based on factors such as leadership, influence, achievements, and contribution to society.

First Lady Bio’s inclusion on the 2025 list adds to a growing number of regional and international acknowledgments of her advocacy work, and reflects continued attention to Sierra Leone’s efforts in promoting gender-focused policies and initiatives.

06/02/2026

Jagaban Donates 40 Horse Power and Fuel to Support Sea Ambulance Initiative in Moyamba District

The leading flagbearer aspirant of the All People’s Congress (APC) party, Sheikh Alhaji Chief Mohamed “Omodu” Kamara, popularly known as Jagaban, has donated a 40-horsepower engine and 2,000 litres of fuel to support the rescue and transportation of pregnant women in riverine communities in Moyamba District.

The donation is intended to strengthen the Sea Ambulance Initiative, a community-led effort that transports pregnant women facing emergency medical conditions from hard-to-reach riverside areas to health facilities.

Receiving the items on behalf of the district, Member of Parliament Hon. Alpha Ben Mansaray said the additional engine will improve the capacity and reliability of the initiative, which relies on speedboats to reach communities inaccessible by road.

Hon. Mansaray explained that the initiative began with a single borrowed engine in his riverside community, where conventional ambulances cannot operate. He noted that, despite limited resources, the project has already facilitated the transfer of three pregnant women to Hatfield Archer Memorial Hospital in Rotifunk for urgent medical care.

Speaking during the presentation, Jagaban said he was motivated by the impact of the initiative and expressed his willingness to support efforts that contribute to saving lives. He described the project as a practical response to the challenges faced by pregnant women in remote communities.

In his remarks, Hon. Mansaray thanked Jagaban for the support and emphasized that the donation is non-partisan in nature. He stated that the assistance is meant to benefit all pregnant women in need, regardless of political affiliation, and described it as a contribution toward humanitarian service.

The Sea Ambulance Initiative highlights ongoing community and individual-led interventions aimed at addressing maternal health challenges in rural and riverine parts of Sierra Leone, where access to timely medical care remains a major concern.