“72nd United Methodist Church Breaks Away from UMC in Response to Controversial Same-Sex Marriage Decision”

Japan's Freeway, Liberia: The 72nd United Methodist Church in Liberia has officially announced its decision to break away from the United Methodist Church (UMC) over disagreements regarding regionalization and the recent approval of same-sex marriagewithin the global denomination.

On February 3, 2025, the church congregation overwhelmingly voted against the UMC’s Regionalization Plan, which was adopted during the 2024 General Conference (April–May 2024), allowing same-sex marriage within the worldwide UMC. The vote was conducted both in person and online, with the following results:Total Votes: 162

No: 160, Yes: 0, Invalid: 2

Further reinforcing their decision, another vote was held on February 9, 2025, to officially disassociate the 72nd United Methodist Church from the "New UMC" and its stance on human sexuality and marriage. The results were:Total Votes: 151, Yes (to break away): 149, No: 2, Abstained: 0

The 72nd United Methodist Church has further cited that the 2024 UMC General Conference, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (April 23 – May 3, 2024), as the main reason for their departure.

The church’s leadership stated that the decisions made at the conference contradict biblical teachings on homosexuality, LGBTQ ordination, and the definition of marriage.

In a formal statement, the pastor, officials and members of the 72nd United Methodist Church, declared that they can no longer, "in good conscience, remain a part of the UMC in general, and the Liberia Annual Conference (LAC) in particular."

At a congregational meeting held on February 9, 2025, under what they described as the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the church officially voted to sever ties with the United Methodist Church (UMC) and the Liberia Annual Conference (LAC).

Speaking on the decision, Rev. Kenneth Jackson acknowledged the difficulty of breaking away but emphasized the need to uphold biblical truth and spiritual integrity.

"We are being deceived, and we need to understand that this is not the right way to serve God," Rev. Jackson stated.

He further described same-sex marriage as "demonic", vowing to guide his congregation in what he believes is the true path of Christianity.

"Same-sex marriage is demonic, and I will not sit here and watch my people go to hell," he declared.

At the same time, Rev. Jackson clarified that the 72nd United Methodist Church will now join the Global United Methodist Church (GMC), an international Methodist organization that upholds traditional Christian values.

Several members of the 72nd United Methodist Church echoed the church’s decision, emphasizing their opposition to same-sex marriage and their commitment to preserving traditional Christian beliefs.

"We will join the Global United Methodist Church so that they can fight for us if the UMC tries to take our church or take us to court. The church is global," one member explained.

With this move, the 72nd United Methodist Church joins a growing number of congregations worldwide that have broken away from the United Methodist Church (UMC) due to theological disagreements over human sexuality, marriage, and church leadership.