God’s marvellous provision for ESWA

A work of divine providence in answer to prayer led to the beginning of ESWA, the first interdenominational evangelical seminary in Liberia to offer a master’s degree. It all began when Dr. Jacob Vambo, who was Executive Director of Scholarship at the Liberian Baptist Theological Seminary, was tasked to establish a Master of Divinity program for the seminary. After several years of prayers and fasting asking the Lord to show him someone who would help him establish such a program in Liberia, the Lord led him to examine the Christian Education faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary. As he looked at each name, he prayed “Oh Lord! Please send us someone to kindly aid our seminary”. Suddenly, the photo of Prof. Jay L. Sedwick popped up from the page and stood on his desk. “It was the strangest and shocking thing” he said, but he knew that it was God’s hand at work. Then he heard the prayer-answering God say, “This is my servant I am sending to help you”. Two days later, an email was sent to Dr. Sedwick, who after some inquiry responded favorably and was able to meet Dr. Vambo in Liberia that very year.

Not long after that meeting, Dr. Rick Calenberg joined the DTS faculty. He was well familiar with the need of theological education in Africa, having served at a seminary in Nigeria and traveled and ministered in Liberia with the Romans Project. He and Dr. Sedwick agreed to partner in exploring the need and opportunity in Liberia. A meeting was held in January, 2014 with several church leaders, mission leaders and theological educators. All agreed that an evangelical graduate seminary was needed. SIM gave permission to use its property in Congo Town, also serving as the HQs of the Evangelical Church of Liberia, which became the first church partner with ESWA. The process of accreditation was begun, culminating in provisional accreditation with the Liberian National Commission on Higher Education in June 2019.

The ESWA Board appointed Dr. Rick Calenberg as the first president, and classes began in September, 2019 with about 25 students. The first graduation was held in December, 2022. ESWA’s second commencement was held in May 2024. To God be the glory!

Our Confession of Faith

The Evangelical Seminary of West Africa affirms the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. We further affirm the Lausanne Covenant, the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

Our Core Values

1. Christ-Glorifying and Great Commission-Centered: a missional approach to faith and theology rooted in a passion to worship and obey Jesus Christ.

2. Spirituality and Integrity: an integration of deep personal holiness and discipleship that is above reproach.

3. Servant Leadership: a focus and modeling of a Christ-like, sacrificial leadership manifesting genuine compassion and love for all people.

4. Church Centered: committed to equip servant leaders who will plant and strengthen local churches through contextual Bible teaching and evangelical theology.

5. Excellence and Relevance: an approach to learning that is innovative and solution driven.

Accreditation and Affiliation

The Evangelical Seminary of West Africa (ESWA) is accredited by the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) of Liberia for granting the Master of Divinity degree with emphases in Pastoral and Theological Studies and Educational Leadership and Ministries.

The Seminary also enjoys affiliation with Dallas Theological Seminary of Dallas, Texas, USA.  In addition, the Seminary has enthusiastic partnerships with SIM-Liberia, the Evangelical Church of Liberia (ECOL), the Evangelical Free Church of Africa (EFCA), the United Liberia Inland Church and Koinonia Baptist Association.