AGL
On Christmas Day, 1908, in Maryland County, Jasper Toe, a Grebo man converted by Methodist missionaries, began praying earnestly for God to send missionaries into Liberia’s hinterland. After several days of prayer, he had a dream directing him to Garraway, where God promised he would meet those missionaries.
On Christmas Day, 1908, in Maryland County, Jasper Toe, a Grebo man converted by Methodist missionaries, began praying earnestly for God to send missionaries into Liberia’s hinterland. After several days of prayer, he had a dream directing him to Garraway, where God promised he would meet those missionaries.
The missionaries quickly gained attention across the region. Young boys from Barrobo sought out teaching and began learning about Christ. Many of them later became key evangelists, supporting the spread of the Gospel across Liberia’s southeastern regions. The work among the Grebo flourished, laying a strong foundation for future expansion.
In 1920, Methodist missionaries Rev. William Johnson and Rev. Henry B. Gailord traveled from Newarken to Rhodily to reach the Krahn people. Their efforts led to the conversion of several individuals, including King Toe of Putu. The king later attended a Christmas convention and pleaded for missionaries to come to his land.
In February 1922, Rev. Henry B. Garlock accepted the call, walking nine days through thick forest from Glofaken to Putu with King Toe. This courageous journey marked the beginning of the Assemblies of God’s mission among the Krahn people.
In 1925, Canadian missionaries led by Mrs. Jessie Huston established a mission in Konobo. Then in 1928, Rev. Vermon Morrison and his team passed through Konobo to establish the Tchien Mission in Zwedru. Together, these three mission stations—Putu, Konobo, and Tchien—formed the core of AG Liberia's ministry to the Krahn.
The church's compassion ministry came alive with the founding of the New Hope Leprosy Camp, located 60 miles from Harper. This camp, founded by Florence Streusel, provided both physical healing and spiritual renewal for those afflicted with leprosy.
When President William V.S. Tubman and 23 of his cabinet visited, they were deeply impressed and pledged support, including road maintenance. During the Liberian Independence Day celebration in Cape Palmas two years later, the president honored Miss Streusel for her tireless service to the nation.