Washington, D.C. — October 26, 2009 — On October 26, International Relief & Development (IRD) honored the Rev. Dr. Bishop John G. Innis with a reception at its Arlington, VA, headquarters. Bishop Innis, a native of Liberia, has long been a champion of ending poverty and suffering worldwide, particularly in his home in West Africa. His efforts were also instrumental to IRD starting operations in Liberia.

Bishop Innis was no friend of the previous Liberian regime, led by Charles Taylor, now on trial for war crimes, and frequently spoke out about the use of child soldiers and the importance of education. He was beaten several times as a result before being forced to flee the country with his family.

Bishop Innis is the President of the Liberia Council of Churches and the Inter-Religious Council in Liberia, and a member of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church. He is committed to peacemaking and ensuring that the Liberians who suffered through the brutal 11-year civil war are transformed through the power of the Church.

Also present at the reception were the Liberian Ambassador, Nathaniel Barnes, and his wife, as well as officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Earlier this year, IRD began work on a three-year food for education program funded by USDA, which will encourage parents to send their children to school. In partnership with Shelter for Life International, World Initiative for Soy in Human Health and Liberia Education Action for Development, the program will target children in grades 1 through 9, their teachers, their families, and communities.