Liberia’s 72nd United Methodist Church has officially severed ties with the United Methodist Church (UMC), citing fundamental disagreements over same-sex marriage and the denomination’s regionalization plan. The congregation overwhelmingly voted to break away following the UMC’s 2024 General Conference decision to permit same-sex unions globally.
On February 3, 2025, church members rejected the UMC’s regionalization plan in a near-unanimous vote, with 160 ballots cast against it and only two invalid votes. Less than a week later, on February 9, they reaffirmed their stance by voting 149-2 in favor of complete disaffiliation, stating that the denomination’s acceptance of LGBTQ+ marriages and ordinations contradicts biblical teachings.
In a formal statement, Church officials declared their inability to remain part of the UMC or the Liberia Annual Conference (LAC) in good conscience. The decision was led by Rev. Kenneth Jackson, who called the acceptance of same-sex marriage “demonic” and vowed to uphold what he described as the true Christian doctrine. Addressing the congregation, Rev. Jackson acknowledged the weight of their decision but emphasized the need to preserve spiritual integrity.
With its departure, the 72nd United Methodist Church announced it would affiliate with the Global Methodist Church (GMC), a breakaway denomination that maintains traditional Christian teachings. Church members supported this move, believing it would protect their faith and shield them from potential legal challenges from the UMC.
The decision places the 72nd United Methodist Church among a growing number of congregations worldwide that have split from the UMC over theological divisions, mainly regarding marriage, sexuality, and church leadership.
Credit: Kool FM News
