Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone

The Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone was founded on 24th August 1959 by five church denominations, comprising Missionary Church of Africa, United Brethren in Christ, Assemblies of God, United Pentecostal Mission and Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone.

Our Purpose

The Organization was established to create fellowship among the evangelicals, to uphold the Biblical truths, to advance Bible study and Discipleship, to evangelize Sierra Leone, to train Church Workers and to do social Ministry, EFSL was incorporated in 1977 and currently enjoys a Christian NGO status.

Values:

• We are committed to the truth of the word of God as recorded in the Bible:
• We are committed to enabling all people we serve to acquire skills and abilities that will enable them make choices for themselves;
• We are committed to a life of prayer and the salvation of God’s people as the foundation to all our services;
• We are committed to superior standards in our service.

Achievements and Sustainability:

The Evangelical College of Theology (TECT)
Formerly the Sierra Leone Bible College (SLBC) was established in Jui in 1964 through the sponsorship of the Wesleyan Mission, (WCSL) Missionary Church Association (MCA) and United Brethren in Christ (UBC) for the training of pastors, and lay leaders.  It is at present a full fledge degree granting institution with ACTEA and University of Sierra Leone accreditation.

The Christian Literature Crusade (CLC) was established in 1968 through similar cooperative efforts of the constituent bodies of EFSL.  Its aim is to use Christian literature to evangelize the nation.

New Life for all Campaigns (1967-1974) these were nation-wide evangelistic campaigns organized all over the nation in partnership with the protestant Churches.  Crusades were organized through out the country under the leadership of Rev. Joseph S. Mans.

The Freetown Youth Centre the idea was first conceived at the 1972 EFSL annual convention held in Kamabai to meet the needs of youths in Freetown.  At the 1976 convention held at the Freetown Secondary School for Girls (FSSG) THE Baptist Convention, Youth for Christ and the Scripture Union volunteered to sponsor the establishment of the centre.  The dream of the Freetown Youth Centre was realized in 1982.

The first full time General Secretary, Rev. Crispin r A Cole was appointed in 1989.  To provide leadership for the secretariat and to also coordinate the work of EFSL as a whole.

The rapid Engagement in the Acquisitation of Practical Skilly (REAPS) Vocational Training Institute was established in 1994.  It is a post Junior Secondary School type Institution.

Humanitarian Services. EFSL undertakes a number of humanitarian and development programmes.

It constructed and managed internally displaced person’ (IDPs) camps, was an agency providing feeding programmes for vulnerable groups during the war, and then provided psych-social counseling and trauma healing.  EFSL was also involved in the construction of low-cost housing units and micro-enterprise.  In addition to these there are interventions in the areas of Peace Building, food Security, HIV/AIDS sensitization, WATSAN and Advocacy for the needs of the disadvantaged.

Membership and affiliation

EFSL has a membership of 84 Churches denominations Para-Church Organization and individuals.

EFSL is a member of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).  Membership certificate was issued in 1968, thus EFSL became the first African Evangelical Alliance to be a member of the WEA (then WEF).  In 1970 the fellowship was accepted into the membership of the Association of Evangelicals of Africa (AEA) EFSL was also a founding member of the Micah network in 2001.

We are also a member of the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organization (SLANGO).

Future Plans

Challenges: In the aftermath of a decade long war, threats of other religions, poverty and human deprivation, bad governance, conflict and insecurity, poverty and human development remain big challenges.  The call of the church to be the light and the salt of the earth is intense.

Our Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan for the next five years (2021-2025) identifies the following goals.

1. Increased food security for communities and improved quality of life for rural farmers
2.  Youngsters have increased access to basic quality education and market relevant TVET skills
3.  Promote gender equality, child development and minimize SGBV at community and national levels
4. Resources mobilized for the development and operations of EFSL for effective service delivery
5. Ensure communities and schools have access to health and wash services
6. mobilize and equip the church for evangelism, discipleship and leadership development in sierra       leone
7. Ensure disaster management preparedness in place

The Office of the General Secretary:

That office provided the overall direction of the operations of the Secretariat.  That office is itself under the supervision of a 12-person Executive Committee.

The EFSL line of authority

• Convention
• Council
• Exco
• General Secretary
• Heads of Department