In partnership with the Armed Forces of Liberia, Oasis is helping place God’s Word into the hands of men and women serving their country, equipping them not only to read Scripture, but to understand it, grow in faith, and share it with others. 

Bringing God’s Word to the Training Ground

The seeds of this work have been growing for years. In 2022, about 220 cadets, trainers, and staff gathered for a service at Todee Military Academy, the training center for new recruits of the Armed Forces of Liberia. Each person received a copy of the New Living Translation Bible: Africa Edition. Sgt. Wilmot Barh, speaking on behalf of the academy, expressed his gratitude for the Bibles, while a cadet offered thanks on behalf of his fellow recruits. 

Todee Military Academy cadets in Liberia

But the impact of these Bibles extends beyond the moment they are placed into someone's hands. 

A Bible That Speaks to an African Context

In 2025, we spoke with Sergeant Alexander Lamaniel, a member of the Armed Forces of Liberia and an evangelist who understands firsthand the spiritual needs of soldiers. He shared that one of the challenges of ministering within the army was helping soldiers grow spiritually when they lacked biblical resources that connected Scripture with their own context and everyday lives.  

Sgt Alexander with Oasis Colporteur in Liberia, Daniel Johnson

His introduction to the Africa Study Bible began through Daniel Johnson, an Oasis International colporteur connected with Liberia Theological Seminary. What captured Sgt. Lamaniel’s attention was the way the Africa Study Bible brought Scripture into an African setting through explanations, African proverbs, and practical applications. As he explained, "You understand what the Bible is saying, not in a foreign way, but from your African perspective.”  

The Bible soon became a resource for research, teaching, church activities, and personal spiritual growth among soldiers. And Sgt. Lamaniel began dreaming of something bigger: "Our dream is that every one of the soldiers should have access to the Word.”  

That dream continues to move forward.

One Bible, One Soldier at a Time

In 2026, another 552 Bibles, including regular NLT Bibles and Africa Study Bibles, were released for military cadets of the Armed Forces of Liberia. Over the last five years, more than 10,000 Bibles have been sent to Liberia for evangelism and discipleship, with the AFL chaplaincy among the major beneficiaries of this work. 

From cadets receiving their own Bibles at Todee Military Academy, to soldiers using the Africa Study Bible to deepen their understanding of Scripture, this is what ending Bible poverty can look like: God’s Word reaching communities that might otherwise be overlooked and taking root in the lives of people who can carry it even further. 

For Sgt. Lamaniel, the need remains clear: "They must have access to these words... to grow in faith.”  

Because of your generosity and the faithful work of our partners in Liberia, that access is becoming a reality, one Bible and one soldier at a time. We give all the glory to God.

 

This interview transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

With just a $25 monthly donation, you can help provide more security personnel and leaders with contextualized and relevant discipleship tools such as the Africa Study Bible, New Living Translation Text  Bibles (Africa Edition), and other resources, often with training on how to use these unique tools. Click here to give and help bring real change to the church in Africa.