J. Nathaniel Daygbor
11 November 2008
It is written that in the last time, there will be false prophets teaching in the name of God while men will be exposed by the fruits they bear. These assertions are fast proving affirmative as evidenced by the recent involvement of preachers of the gospel into acts unbecoming their status.
A recent case in point is the jailing of the Bishop of the Impact Church Ministries in Paynesville for allegedly purloining US$635,000. Bishop Peter Gbelley Yargolder allegedly tempered with funds entrusted to him by an international non governmental organization, One Blood Food Security, an American-based NGO.
Based on his status as a preacher of the Gospel, a title which is divine, he was named Country Coordinator of the American-based NGO, which before settling down in Liberia, originally engaged in humanitarian initiatives in the sisterly Republic of Sierra Leone, helping citizens with farming implements.
Here in Liberia, it is providing similar assistance to Liberian farmers to enable them grow food to create food security. According to investigation, the amount (US$635,000) was an operation fund intended to execute various programs undertaken by the organization.
The money was discovered to have been misapplied by Bishop Yargolder following an assessment of the company's activities, including the application of the concerned amount.
The assessment exercise was carried on upon the request of the management team from the United States. It was the first time the organization's activities were probed since its establishment in Liberia.
Bishop Yargolder was later arrested by officers of the Liberian National Police (LNP) and detained at the Zone 5 Police Depot in Paynesville City. He was later forwarded to the Paynesville Magisterial Court where he is to face trial for the alleged crime. He appeared yesterday in Court to answer to his charges.
Also it was discovered during the investigation that salaries of the Liberian staffs were drastically reduced by him without the knowledge of the International management. If found guilty, he will be the first Liberian Bishop to be sentenced for misapplying entrusted fund.
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What a shame!These are the people that bring disgrace to our faith and Country. If a man like that who have such repetition as a Bishop, can disgrace his church, and the entire Christian faith; It makes me wonder, who can be trusted in Liberia?
Your comment is well taken, but remember, though he is a bishop he is a human who is also vulnerable to temptations. And also, not because he could not be trusted in this respect that means there is no one else in Liberia that can be trusted.
What happens to innocent until proven guilty under the law?
I sadly read what the author; magna2you wrote concerning the bishop who misused trusted funds in the tune of US$635.000. What I am not surprised of is the remarks made by this author (magna2you. It is not uncommon to see Liberians hiding behind the law to committ crimes that the very law protects. But is silly to understand that magna2you didn't fully understand that the amount in question was to benefit Liberians other that the bishop and his family alone. I may not even be too surprise if magna2you will appear on the list of wanted persons in connection with this money. It is only when people have connections with crimes in Liberia that they deepen the strength of the law. I pray that the good God will bring out the BUTS of these crimional bishops who hide benind the Bible to committ crimes against inocent Liberians. These are the ones who are working against evangelism in the church of God. SHAME ON THIS BISHOP. Saah Charlotte/ USA
What happens to innocent until proven guilty under the law?
Liberians, please keep tracks of your run-on-sentences. Please let us pray for the man of God. This's part of his difficult times. Human most often make mistakes. Thanks, Lewis Michael Smith
I still don't want to accept the allegation against the well spoken Bishop until he's proven guilty. Any way, the cost of living now in a days Liberia has become so difficult to the point that most chruches offerings are being contested for let lone support from external source. Lets pray with the Bishop in these difficult times of his life. Any one can fall and so it was with the ' Great American Preachers Oral Roberts ,Jimmy Swagger and many others. Don't worry Bishop, we are with you in prayers; but make sure to refund the misapplied funds to safe the church from public redicule. A Gemeh Kolubah