"God was the instigator of the ministry."

The Light of the World Ministries (TLOWM) began after a trip in November 2007 where Paul Paquin visited the Liberian Refugee Camp in Waterloo, Sierra Leone. Surrounded by 900+ children along with pastors, teachers, and lay people, he had no idea why God had sent him, a cold weather person, to such a hot and humid place. Paul stepped aside to a quiet area to ask God why he was there. God had him look past the children to the pastors who were congregated there--these men were to be Paul’s mission field. They needed to be taught sound biblical doctrine as well as integrity and leadership skills. The pastors also needed study Bibles, as many only had the New Testament.

Paul met Pastor Ben Margai, the National Ministry Director for Sierra Leone, and had the privilege of spending time with him traveling from village to village. Ben showed a hunger for the Word of God and exhibited wonderful leadership capabilities. He expressed the need to teach the pastors, especially the young pastors. Ben and Paul “were joined at the hip” for the rest of the trip, as Ben shared his love for God, the pastors, and the congregations, and his desire to equip the pastors. 

The Holy Spirit opened Paul’s heart and mind to the concept of The Light of the World Ministry, which was originally intended as a teaching ministry, training pastors in the villages of Waterloo, Freetown, and Bo. God used Paul to initiate the official 501(c)(3), establish a Board of Directors, develop the Constitution, By-Laws, etc. and establish an official bank account. In addition he worked to establish an NGO (Non-Government Organization) and bank account in Sierra Leone. He also prepared and scheduled seminars in a variety of locations across Sierra Leone.