In February of 2020, the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention voted to approve the first Sunday in February as the annual George Liele Church Planting, Evangelism and Missions Day. The addition names the International Mission Board as a resourcer and supporter of the annual observance, which began February, 2021.
The IMB celebrates Black missionary and Church Planter, George Liele. A former slave and the first Baptist missionary from America and founder of the first African American church plant in North America. He was licensed to preach by Baptists in Georgia in 1773, the first African American to be so.
Liele is increasingly recognized among Southern Baptists for his pioneering missions, according to the Baptist Press. The SBC formally recognized Liele’s efforts in a resolution at its 2012 annual meeting in New Orleans, celebrating him as the first overseas missionary from the U.S.
George Liele is one of the most significant figures in the history of Christian missions. While William Carey is recognized as the father of the modern missionary movement, that designation also belongs to George Liele. He was a freed Georgia slave who came to Christ in 1773, at the age of 23. In 1782, he and his family left the United States to share the gospel in Jamaica; a full 10 years before Carey left England.
“In one sense, he was set free that he could set others free from the bondage and penalty of sin,” Ausberry, senior pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfax Station, Va., told BP. “My hope is that all Southern Baptist churches will share about the life and mission work of George Liele to inspire current and future generations to spread the Gospel around the world. George Liele’s life shows that despite adverse circumstances God can still use us in a mighty way.”
Fred Luter, who served from 2012-14 as the first black president of the SBC, is an active NAAF member as senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans.
“On behalf of all the African-Americans who are part of the Southern Baptist Convention I would like to applaud the Executive Committee for approving to add George Liele Church Planting, Evangelism and Missions Day to the SBC calendar,” Luter told Baptist Press Wednesday (Feb. 19). “This recognition will introduce the entire SBC to a great missionary who had a tremendous role of spreading the Gospel to slaves who made a decision to be followers of Jesus Christ. George Liele’s missionary efforts affirmed the saying, ‘Red, yellow, black and white, we are all precious in HIS sight!'”
“The IMB strives to represent the diversity of our Southern Baptist Convention of churches,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood. “Every church, every nation isn’t a slogan. It’s the only pathway to see the fulfillment of the Great Commission. I’m praying that this celebration of the involvement and leadership of African American Southern Baptist missionaries will result in many more missionaries from African American SBC churches sending their missionaries through the IMB.”
Not only did Liele’s ministry lead to a spiritual impact on the island [of Jamaica], but his work also made a social difference for the Jamaican slaves. By July 31, 1838, slavery was eradicated in Jamaica. In 1814, there were only about 8,000 Baptists in Jamaica. This number included slaves, freedmen and some whites. However, as a result of Liele’s ministry, by 1832 there were over 20,000 believers.
Sources:
https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/sbc-george-liele-day-among-naaf-goals/
https://www.imb.org/2021/02/01/imb-celebrates-george-liele-february-diversity-in-missions-month/
https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/annual-george-liele-day-added-to-sbc-calendar/
https://www.imb.org/2018/06/26/missionaries-you-should-know-george-liele/
Dwayne Lewis
Church Planting Strategist