772nd United Methodist Church Members Make a Statement with Protest T-Shirts

On November 3, 2024, the members of the 772nd United Methodist Church gathered for their Sunday worship in a show of solidarity, wearing white T-shirts with the bold slogan, “Yes to Biblical Christianity, No to Demonic Regionalization.” This powerful message clearly conveyed their strong opposition to homosexuality, which they believe contradicts God’s will.

The service, themed “Stand for Your Faith,” drew inspiration from scripture passages like I Corinthians 6:9-20, Psalm 1:1-6, and Leviticus 20:13-15. This gathering followed a period of unrest in October when church leadership introduced a new pastor without consulting the congregation. There were also concerns that Bishop Samuel Quire, UMC Liberia’s Resident Bishop, was advocating for “Regionalization” that could potentially endorse same-sex marriage.

Bishop Quire has publicly denied these claims, reaffirming that UMC Liberia does not support homosexuality and calling for unity among church members. However, many in the 772nd congregation remain firm in their opposition to any form of Regionalization.

With their suspended pastor absent, Certified Lay Servant Ebenezer S. Gonsahn led the service, passionately restating the church’s stance. “Regionalization brings ungodly practices, including same-sex marriage, which the Bible opposes,” he declared, emphasizing their dedication to biblical teachings.

Church member Lincoln S. Mayson expressed his concerns about what he sees as a departure from the church’s core mission. He accused Bishop Quire of sidelining the congregation and suspending their pastor. “The church should be correcting society, not the other way around,” he asserted. The T-shirt slogan, he noted, signals that the congregation, not the Bishop, owns their ministry. “We are reclaiming our church as a biblical institution,” he added.

Mayson also voiced his worries about the UMC’s perceived acceptance of homosexuality damaging the church’s reputation both locally and globally. “This has cast a negative image on the Christian community in Liberia,” he stated, emphasizing that the church has lost its “balance and independence.” He firmly maintained that “homosexuality has no place in our church,” and highlighted the congregation’s unity with other churches in this struggle.

The T-shirts, funded by individual members, symbolize the congregation’s collective pushback against what they perceive as an agenda from Bishop Quire to introduce homosexuality into the church. “We say yes to Biblical Christianity and no to demonic Regionalization,” Mayson reiterated, likening their protest to the biblical account of Jesus cleansing the temple.

Mayson hinted that the 772nd United Methodist Church may soon consider breaking away from the UMC in order to uphold their biblical values and principles. This decision underscores their commitment to maintaining the integrity of their faith and the direction they believe their church should take.

Source: The Liberian Investigator