Liberian church leader flies with MAF to bring message of hope to women in regional communities.
Story by Rachel Gwole George
“My desire is that people will know God for themselves not just to go to church but have a personal relationship with Him,” said Bishop Lucy Bulgar, of Peace Praise Full Gospel denomination.
Bishop Lucy has been in ministry for about 30 years and she is based in the Liberian capital Monrovia, but she would struggle to reach communities across the country without MAF flights.
In a recent flight, MAF brought Bishop Lucy back from Harper to the capital after a week of intensive training - teaching women about the Bible.
“I was so happy to complete the training in time because of the flight," she said. “I am happy to serve. The reward comes from God.
My desire is that people will know God for themselves not just to go to church but have a personal relationship with Him.
“When we visit, many people tell us, ‘Life is hard. I don't have any clothes. I don't have food.’ We give them hope. We encourage them and remind them that God is still God, no matter the situation.
“I started with the women and children because they are the most in need. Before we preach, we try to be a blessing.”
Bishop Lucy has dedicated her life to serving some of Liberia's hardest-to-reach communities - mainly Harper, Greenville, and Grand Gedeh – all hundreds of kilometres from the capital.
“This is my passion. It is what God called me to do,” Bishop Lucy added. “My desire at first was not to become a pastor, but God had another plan. I became a pastor, then a bishop. This is my passion. It is a gift from God.
“MAF has invested greatly in this journey. If it wasn’t for MAF I wouldn’t have reached such a level."
While serving in a remote community, Bishop Lucy recalls meeting a man who was deeply involved in the occult. Through persistent ministry and the sharing of the Gospel, the man made the decision to leave his former life behind and follow Christ.
“The occult is a supernatural beliefs and practices which generally fall outside the scope of religion,” she added, “MAF helped me reach a community where an occult leader found Christ.”
She remembers him saying, “it’s a better road that I have selected by the new spirit in me, let God lead me in a positive way that will change my other friends.”
Bishop Lucy said the conversion inspired many others to embrace Christianity.
“By the grace of God, many lives were transformed. Some are now pastors,” she said.
"It showed me that when God changes one life, He can change an entire community."
Reaching these remote communities has never been easy. During Liberia's rainy season, roads often become nearly impassable, turning journeys that should take hours into days.
MAF helped me reach a community where an occult leader found Christ.
“The roads are very challenging, but MAF helps us reach people who need the Gospel and practical support," she said
"When you fly with MAF, especially the pilots, they encourage you. They pray with you and remind you to put your faith in God before the flight. It gives you peace."
Looking back on three decades of ministry, she said the greatest reward has never been titles or recognition, but seeing lives changed.
“Some people work for God, and some people work with God. I encourage everyone to work with God. Your life and your character will speak.”
When you fly with MAF, especially the pilots, they encourage you. They pray with you and remind you to put your faith in God before the flight. It gives you peace.