Dear Friends Greetings from Liberia! As we march further into the 2020s, we see more and more the pain and disfunction in the world. It reminds me that one of the official purposes of the Jake Memorial Baptist College should be a goal of all who are evangelizing and training believers today:
“To train students in the Word of God so that they will know:
1. What the Word of God says. 2. How to interpret what the Word of God means. 3. How to apply the Word of God to the needs of a lost and dying world.” We’ve been busy! After Christmas we drove to the annual New Year’s church conference in Tappita. We always enjoy the “going back home” feeling when we arrive in Tappita. It is where we lived from 1986-1989, our first three years in Liberia. Nancy taught the ladies’ class and was well received by the women.  
I trained men in the leadership class to effectively use the Bible-storying "King of Glory" materials. (The container that contained the pallet of King of Glory materials arrived a few days before Christmas and was, by God’s grace, released from the port in a timely fashion. Thanks to all who gave to help with the shipping!) Each of the 37 church leaders in my class received a plastic envelope containing the King of Glory story book, study guide and its answer key. We discussed how to most effectively use the materials in their ministries.  
In addition to this, during the New Year’s eve “watchnight” service - held outdoors under towering trees - we showed an abridged (1 hour 40 minutes) version of the 4-hour King of Glory video called “For This Reason: A Christmas Movie for all seasons.” Several hundred people were in attendance. Because it was shown on a white cloth (as vs. a actual screen), the movie could be seen on both sides.  
We arrived back home in Monrovia on January 1st, where we threw together a birthday party for Jonah, who turned 16! We praise God for giving him to us!
For over three years we have been actively working to upgrade the Jake Memorial Baptist College from having permission to offer Associate degrees to the level where we can grant Bachelor’s degrees. We felt a real urgency to push for this before the inauguration and subsequent change of government officials. By God’s grace, on Friday, January 19, three days before the January 22nd inauguration of Joseph Boakai as the new President of Liberia, we were given our permission! There has been great rejoicing by the administration, staff, present and former students, and also of future students! 
We’ve also been very busy with hospitality, overnight guests, etc., etc., etc. We praise God for good health and the strength to do the job He has called us to do. Tim Bos, a missionary coworker from back in the 1980s, is presently with us and helping us sort through the many necessary steps needed to bring the college from where it is now to where it needs to be in the future. He also taught a one-month class on Christian Living. The students were thrilled when he gave a new study Bibles to each of them! 
While Nancy and I feel we have more years of mission work in us, if Jesus doesn’t return soon (“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20) we realize the most important thing we can do with in the coming years is to work ourselves out of a job. We are presently in serious need of monthly support for the college and finances to complete a number of projects. If the college is going to survive beyond its present administration, including us, there needs to be a stronger financial undergirding. Any amount, large or small, is greatly appreciated. (To give to the college, see the information at the end of this letter.)
Our friend, Pastor John Noimini has been an active participant in the ministry of Second Calvary Baptist Church since its inception in 1988. For years he served as a deacon, and then felt called by God to train for ministry at Jake Memorial Baptist College. He graduated a few years ago, at which point the church called him as pastor. Right now they are in the middle of building an appropriately-sized building to replace the small building they have been using which they fear will soon collapse. Finances have run out, and they are hoping and praying for financial help from the outside. We know the church well, and are proud of how much of their own efforts and financing they’ve put into this. If God would lead you to help, please send your gift using the information below and mark it for “building fund.”
Please pray for the following requests: God would send to us students who love Christ and want to give Him their lives.
God would continue to do His refining work in Jonah’s (age 16) life.
God will use the King of Glory materials to do a wonderful, redeeming work in the hearts of the Liberian people.
Second Calvary’s need for a new church building.
God bless you. We appreciate so much your care and support of our ministry. In His service, Mark and Nancy Sheppard Mark, Nancy and Jonah SheppardServing with:
Baptist Mid-Missions
Box 308011
Cleveland, OH 44130-8011
http://www.bmm.org To give online, click here and type “Sheppard” in the “Type a Name" box. Click on “Sheppard, Mark and Nancy.” Enter the amount you wish to give. Push “Give Online” and then “Update & Check Out.” Fill in your contact info and choose whether you want to use your Credit or Debit Card or eCheck and then enter the appropriate information. After entering your payment information, push “Give Now.” To give to the Jake Memorial Baptist College, click here and type “Jake” in the “Type a Name” box. Click on "Jake Memorial Baptist College (802340)." Fill in your contact info and choose whether you want to use your Credit or Debit Card or eCheck and then enter the appropriate information. After entering your payment information, push “Give Now.” You may also mail gifts to the above address. Mark the gift “for the ministry of Mark Sheppard” or “Jake Memorial Baptist College” as appropriate. (For more information on monthly giving, etc., go to https://www.bmm.org/give and click on “Giving Methods.") | 
