SAMUEL A. Abdullai Sr. - 2022 LECUSA National President

For over 19 years, Samuel Abdullai worked as the Superintendent of the Mechanical Department of the Bong Mining Company in Liberia. He was responsible for ore shipment, railroad transportation, and civil engineering. Samuel also worked as Aviation Supervisor for Mobile Oil Liberia (Jet-A1 into airplane refueling). After migrating to the United States in 1996, Samuel worked at Vision Ease Lens Manufacturing Company in Ramsey, MN, for over 16 years in several capacities, leading to the position of Global Process Manager, until his retirement in 2018. At Vision Ease, his responsibilities included but were not limited to implementing, controlling and managing production processes locally and in several locations in Asia.

Samuel is the former and first Chairman of the LECUSA Chapter in MN. He is also a former Board Member of the Episcopal Church, Holmes, MN; former Treasurer and member of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions and member of the City of Shoreview Human Rights Commission. Samuel was also Vestry member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Roseville, St. Paul, and a former member of the Diocesan Discernment Committee, Episcopal Church of MN. Currently, he is the Senior Warden of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis, MN. Samuel holds a B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Hannover Technical College in Hannover, Germany, and he is fluent in the German Language.Samuel married Mattie-Mae Nebo in 1979, and they remained happily married for 37 years until her passing in 2016. Their marriage was blessed with 5 children (4 girls and 1 boy). He loves reading, traveling, and sports; he is an avid tennis player.

Mrs.Enid O. Cole - 2022 LECUSA National Vice President

I was ordinated to the Deaconate in September 2018 at the National Cathedral of Washington by the Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, DC. I currently serve as a Deacon in Montgomery County, Maryland at St. Michael’s & All Angels Episcopal Church in Adelphi, Maryland. As an ordained Deacon, I am a servant of humanity to others. In my ministry, I bring the grace and spirit of the church to those who feel alienated deprived, pushed down, and need spiritual entering and Christ’s healing. Prior to becoming an ordinated clergy, I served in various lay capacities in my home Parish, from Sunday school teacher to lay reader, altar guild, usher, vestry member and Senior Warden. I have been an active member of LECUSA for the past four years and served as the Pastoral Care Chairlady for two years. I am currently serving as the Treasurer for the DMV Chapter of LECUSA.

I am a cradled Episcopalian and a member of Trinity Cathedral, Monrovia. I obtained my early education through high school from St. Teresa’s Convent in Monrovia. I later received a BA in Accounting from Bennett College, Greensboro, NC in 1973, and an MBA in 1975 in Finance from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. I was married to my late husband Samuel B. Cole, Jr. and we have three children, Sean and his wife Brenda, Anwar, Shardé, and one grandson Makhi. My family and I immigrated to the United States, in early 1990. For over twenty-six years, I spent my professional career in finance working with the World Bank Group in Washington, DC and retired in June 2016. After my retirement, I enrolled in Theology School and am now fully engaged in ministerial functions of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC. I live in Montgomery Village, Maryland and enjoy collecting and tending to my house plants, reading, and traveling. I am an avid runner and have run eight marathons.

Johnathan Pearce - LECUSA National Treasurer

Jonathan Pearce has a Bachelor’s of Science (BSc) in Economics with minor in management and a master’s of science in information systems (MSIS). Jonathan has served the Episcopal Church both in Liberia and in Baltimore (USA) in several capacities including, but not limited to, EYC chair, youth president, chorister, vestryman, lay reader, chalice bearer, parish financial secretary, parish treasurer, Secretary of LECUSA, and auditor.

Johnathan is a lifelong Episcopalian with deep roots in St Stephen Episcopal Parish, 10th Street Sinkor. In the USA, he is a member of the Church of The Nativity/Comforter – an Episcopal-Lutheran fellowship.

As treasurer of LECUSA, Jonathan plans to maintain proper and acceptable financial procedures and be accountable to the organization.

Mr. Thomas Rolland - 2022 LECUSA FINANCIAL Secretary

I was born Episcopalian and raised in Monrovia, Liberia and my parents are from Maryland County, Liberia.

I attended elementary and junior high school at St. Augustine Episcopal school in Kakata, Liberia. I graduated from W.V.S Tubman High School (1972) and the University of Liberia BBA (1978) in Management/Accounting).

I have an MS (1988) in Taxation/Accounting from Widener University in Chester PA. My work experience is in the areas of Accounting, Taxation, Finance, and Military Logistic: Accountant/Internal Auditor - University of Liberia (1974-1982) Accountant II and AR Finance Billing - Independence Blue Cross (1998-2003), Philadelphia. Tax Examiner Technician - Internal Revenue Service (2004-2005), Philadelphia Logistic Specialist - US Defense Logistic Agency, Troop Support, (2005 - 2019 Retired), Philadelphia.

Mrs. Theresa Togba-Witherspoon - 2022 National Secretary-LECUSA

My name is Theresa Tete Togba-Witherspoon. I am an educator preparing young children for the future. I grew up in Liberia and attended the St. Augustine Episcopal Church in Bardnersville. I grew up in a family of educators and priests. As I grew up and saw education and religious activities practiced in my home, I knew being an educator and working in God’s house were my callings. My passion working with young children and working in the house of God has been evident in my involvement in the school as a teacher,and my church as a choir member and the women’s President. I have the opportunity to serve as Secretary General for the Liberian Episcopal Community USA, LECUSA-MN Chapter from 2016 to present. Through these experiences, I have learned to interact with diverse group of people which has sharpened and increased my ability to relate to others. I have also had the opportunity to record meetings minutes and send out relevant communications to members.

It’s my prayer and hope that I can be of help to the Liberian Episcopal Community USA. Let us reminder that Unity is our Strength, and together we can make it.

Benoni T. Grimes - LECUSA National Parliamentarian 2022

Benoni T. Grimeswas born in Monrovia, Liberia and grew up in the Township of Caldwell in Montserrado County where he also served at the Township Commissioner before traveling abroad for further studies. Benoni is a graduate of the University of Liberia in Monrovia, Liberia where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree and hold two master’s degrees Education and Education Administration & Leadership from the Saint Mary's Catholic University of Minnesota as well as a K-12 Administrator Licensure. He is currently working on his doctorate in Divinity at the North Central Seminary. Benoni studied theology at the Seth C Edwards Theological School in Monrovia, an Episcopal Theological Institute in Monrovia and was advanced as candidate for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church prior to his travel to the United States. Bro. Grimes worked in various capacities including District Cultural and Diversity Director, Student Learning Advocate, Teacher and substitute Teacher, Assistant Principal at various school districts in Minnesota including Minneapolis, Anoka-Hennepin, Saint Paul, Edina Public Schools, Roseville Area Schools and the Osseo Public Schools District. Prior to coming to the United States, he served as Principal of the Caldwell Community and the Mount Caldwell Foundation Schools in Caldwell, Liberia.

Benoni is married to Caroline and blessed with three beautiful daughters and a son (Coretta Wata, Corazon Nukunu, Macucu Quenila and Darius. They are all members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Anoka, MN. Bro. Grimes is currently in discernment for the Ordered Ministry in the Diocese of Minnesota. At the same time he is Chairman of the LECUSA Membership Committee and is currently making tremendous efforts to establish the next LECUSA Chapter.

Rev. Fr. Victor King - LECUSA Chaplain 2022

Date of birth February 4 - Graduated from Cuttington University College, now Cuttington University in Theology Studies. Also certificate in church leadership from CPWA and training in trauma Counseling. Deacon November 1,1996 and Priest September 14.

Position and work in the Episcopal church of Liberia
1998 - 2004 Member of the Board of Trustees,  1999 - 2006 Member of the Diocesan Council
2000 - 2008 Youth Director,  2009 - 2015 Chairman Commission on Ministry
2010 Member of the Standings Committee,  2010 - 2015 Archdeacon Southwest Archdeaconry.

Episcopal churches under my leadership
1997 - 1999 St. Timothy Church Monrovia,  2000 - 2004 St. John Church Bassa
2005 -2008 Curate, Trinity Cathedral,  2009-2011 Vicar Trinity cathedral
2011 Grace Church, Clay Ashland,  2012-2016 December Rector St Augustine Church, Kakata

I am presently the Vicar at Calvary Episcopal Church Hanover, Virginia. The lord has spiritually prepared me for this ministry over the years. Thank and praise to God for his call in my life today.

LECUSA

CONTACTS

lecusa2006@gmail.com
United States

WHY WE EXIST

Reaching out to Episcopalians of Liberian descent residing in the USA in order to foster spiritual and pastoral care and be supportive of one another. 

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