First American Missionary: George Liele Sails to Jamaica in 1782

Born a slave in what is now Virginia, George Liele was taken to Georgia, where he was converted in 1773 in the church of his master, Henry Sharp. He soon became concerned about the spiritual condition of his fellow slaves and began preaching to them. In 1775 he was ordained as a missionary to work among the black population in the Savannah area. Like many other slaves, he sided with the British in the Revolutionary War, as did his master, who set Liele free in 1778.

In order to be evacuated with other royalists and British troops, Liele obtained a loan and accepted the status of indentured servant to pay the passage for himself, his wife, and his four children on a ship bound for Jamaica in 1782. He soon repaid the debt and secured permission to preach to the slaves on the island.

By 1814 Liele’s efforts had produced, either directly or indirectly, some 8,000 Christians in Jamaica.

Early Chronology of U.S. Black Missionary Sending

1782. George Liele, Kingston, Jamaica — the first American missionary
1782. David George, Hector Peters, Sampson Calvert, Nova Scotia, Sierra Leone.
1783. Moses Baker & George Gibbions, West Indies.
1790. Prince Williams, Bahamas.

(For reference:  1792. William Carey left for India., 1812. Adoniram Judson went to Burma.)

It was African Americans who led the way in the modern missions sending movement. Even though William Carey (sent from England) is considered the Father of Modern Missions and Adoniram Judson (sent from the U.S.) is often referred to as the first American missionary, the facts speak otherwise.

To learn more on this topic order this book from our friends at William Carey Publishing. Also, check out the National African American Missions Council.

Dave Jacob
Chief Servant Officer
Gospel Mobilization

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