2025 George Liele Sunday Event

The George Liele Church Planting, Evangelism, and Missions Sunday is an annual SBC event celebrating African American and Black pioneers such as:

• George Liele, who many acknowledge as the first overseas missionary from the United States in 1782
• Lott Carey, who organized African American missions in the 1800s
• S.M. Lockridge, who was a faithful preacher of the gospel in the 20th century
• Sid Smith, who was one of the first African American Southern Baptist denominational leaders in the modern era
• Fred Luter, who was elected as the first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention

The International Mission Board has developed downloadable resources like videos, church bulletins, and a prayer guide. These resources will help churches in celebrating the work and leadership of African American Southern Baptist missionaries and encourage SBC churches to send their African American and Black missionaries to the nations through the IMB.