George Liele Church Planting, Evangelism and Missions Sunday

George Liele Church Planting, Evangelism and Missions Sunday is an annual Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) event, planned this year on Sunday, February 1,  celebrating African American and Black missionary pioneers, such as:

• George Liele, who many acknowledge as the first overseas missionary from the United States in 1782.
• Lott Carey organized African American missions in the 1800s.
• S.M. Lockridge was a faithful preacher of the gospel in the 20th century.
• Sid Smith was one of the first African American Southern Baptist denominational leaders in the modern era.
• Fred Luter was elected as the first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

George Liele is widely acknowledged as the first overseas missionary from the United States. He was a formerly enslaved man from Georgia who used his freedom to take the good news to the nations. In 1782, George and his wife, Hannah, and their four children left Savannah and landed in Kingston, Jamaica. The missionary couple worked hard and faced many trials. By 1814, there were around 8,000 Baptists in Jamaica. This number included enslaved, freedmen and some whites. As a result of Liele’s ministry, there were over 20,000 believers in 1832. We want to be sure the legacy of George Liele is remembered and shared. That’s why the IMB developed downloadable resources that you can share with your church, small groups and friends. You’ll find videos, a Black Church Missions brochure, information about George Liele’s life and ministry and a missionary prayer guide. We hope these resources will be helpful as you plan, promote and recognize this special emphasis Sunday at your church.

You can find these resources and learn more about George Liele by visiting imb.org/george-liele. Perhaps you will want to share this incredible video with your church about the first church George Liele planted in Jamaica.

Mark your calendar and plan to recognize Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, as George Liele Church Planting, Evangelism and Missions Sunday.

If you have questions, please contact Quintell Hill, Black/Multi-Ethnic Network Strategist, International Mission Board, at [email protected].