By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a stirring Sunday service held on November 2, 2025, at Zion Praise Tabernacle Church in Hill Station, the General Overseer, Pastor James Bangura, issued an impassioned call for the church and the nation to take an active stand against the destructive drug known as “Kush.” His sermon, marked by deep emotion and urgency, has since resonated widely as part of Sierra Leone’s growing faith-based movement against drug abuse.
Pastor James Bangura revealed that he had received divine instruction to warn the church that it had “failed God” by remaining silent in the face of moral and social decay brought about by substance abuse. Drawing on the biblical passage of Esther 4:13–14, he likened the church’s role to that of Queen Esther, emphasizing the moral duty to act courageously during times of crisis.
“The Lord told me the church has failed Him and everyone is at risk one way or another,” Pastor James Bangura declared. “Who knows whether you have not come to your position for such a time as this?”
During the service, he presented a short but powerful video showing the grim reality of young men and women devastated by drug addiction, many of them homeless and scavenging for food. The emotional highlight came when he introduced a former choir boy, once a symbol of promise, now visibly broken by addiction. The congregation, overcome with emotion, responded with tears and prayers.
“The church must not sit and watch this drug destroy our society,” Pastor James Bangura urged. “We have a duty to act, pray and help our young people find their way back.”
He announced a five-day fasting and prayer program, beginning on Monday, November 3, dedicated to seeking divine intervention to break the stronghold of addiction. He also appealed to members to extend practical support through counseling, healthcare and financial aid to assist in rehabilitating drug users.
According to Pastor James Bangura, God directed the church to take two crucial actions: first, to pray earnestly for God to destroy the appetite for drugs among users and second, to restore and rehabilitate addicts through acts of compassion, such as providing food, counseling and medical assistance.
The Zion Praise Tabernacle’s initiative aligns with a broader nationwide movement by religious institutions to confront the escalating Kush epidemic. Across Sierra Leone, churches and Christian organizations are expanding their roles in prevention, rehabilitation and advocacy.
Caritas Freetown, the Catholic Church’s development arm, is currently constructing a rehabilitation center for underage girls struggling with addiction. The center will offer detoxification services, psychological counseling and skills training in agriculture and vocational trades to reintegrate affected individuals into society.
Additionally, numerous churches are leading awareness campaigns in schools and communities to educate citizens about the dangers of substance abuse. They also provide professional counseling, mentorship and spiritual guidance to those affected, while promoting compassion and inclusion for recovering addicts.
The Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) has been a vocal advocate for collaborative action, urging Government agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Sierra Leone Police to intensify enforcement and support community-based rehabilitation programs.
Despite these growing efforts, the challenge remains immense. The Kush epidemic, declared a national emergency, continues to devastate communities, driven by poverty, unemployment and limited access to rehabilitation resources.
Nevertheless, faith-based institutions like Zion Praise Tabernacle are demonstrating that through prayer, compassion and collective resolve, Sierra Leone can confront and ultimately overcome the scourge of drug addiction that threatens its future.
