Monrovia, Liberia – June 9, 2025 – The Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC) strongly and unequivocally condemns the violent attack carried out on its Ganta Mission Station in Nimba County during the early morning hours of Monday.
According to credible reports, the assault was led by Morris Neaquoi, William Laywhee, Jerry Kandea, Martin Kpolar, Lawrence Nehzoe, and Fredrick Dolo—all of whom are former members of the Liberia Annual Conference—along with individuals affiliated with the Global Methodist Church (GMC). These individuals forcibly removed staff from offices and defaced the United Methodist Church emblem from the administration building.
This appalling and unlawful action disrupted operations at one of Liberia’s most significant mission hubs, which includes schools, a hospital, churches, and various outreach programs that have served the people of Liberia for generations. “This is not merely an attack on the United Methodist Church,” the Church stated.
“It is an attack on peace, on education, on health, and on national development. The Ganta Mission Station has stood for decades as a beacon of Christian service, hope, and healing for all.”
LAC/UMC has also received intelligence that GMC surrogates are planning further attacks on the Ganta United Methodist Hospital and the Winnifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences (School of Nursing) under the United Methodist University.
In light of these threats and the recent violence, the Liberia Annual Conference is urgently calling on national authorities to act. The Church demands immediate intervention and reinforcement from The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) through the Liberia National Police (LNP), Police Support Unit (PSU) and EmergencyResponse Unit (ERU).
The perpetrators of these crimes must be held accountable under the laws of the Republic of Liberia. “The sanctity of our mission stations and the safety of our clergy, staff, and community must be defended,” said Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr..
Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference. “We call on the Government of Liberia to uphold justice and ensure that the United Methodist Church can carry 0ut its God-given mission without intimidation or interference.”
Reports from the ground confirm that United Methodists in Ganta are currently living in fear, with some forced into hiding. There are growing concerns over threats to burn down homes belonging to United Methodists by surrogates of the Global Methodist Church.
The Liberia Annual Conference calls on the Global Methodist Church (GMC) to cease all hostilities and allow the United Methodist Church in Nimba County and across Liberia to freely do the work of God, as protected under the laws of the Republic of Liberia. The LAC/UMC also strongly urges them to leave all Church properties alone.
We call on all members, partner churches, the ecumenical community, civil society, and international allies to stand with us in prayer, solidarity, and advocacy as we seek peace, justice, and protection for our Church, our people, and the sacred mission we have been called to fulfill.
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