Pastor David George and the First Baptist Church in Africa

Summary:

After years of broken promises and hostility in Nova Scotia, Pastor David George joined the Black Loyalist migration to Sierra Leone in 1792. He helped organise the settlers, led them in worship on arrival, and established what became the first known Baptist church on the African continent. His ministry connected Black Baptist communities across Nova Scotia, Sierra Leone, and England. Through persecution, political unrest, and missionary difficulties, George remained devoted to preaching, prayer, pastoral leadership, and the wider Church.

 

Outline:

• Persevering ministry in Nova Scotia
  • George served courageously despite broken promises, racial hostility, and threats to his life.
• The Black Loyalist migration to Sierra Leone
  • Thomas Peters, John Clarkson, George, and the churches helped organise a new settlement in Africa.
• Worship and the first Baptist church in Africa
  • The settlers praised God on arrival, and George preached, baptised converts, and built a meeting house.
• Connections with British Baptists and missionary work
  • George met John Rippon and John Newton and later welcomed Baptist Missionary Society workers to Freetown.
• A legacy of courage, prayer, and leadership
  • For fifteen years, George guided the church through hardship and left one of the earliest Black Baptist autobiographies.