Supreme Court bars Global Methodist Church from UMC properties in Ganta, Liberia, amid doctrinal and legal tensions.

The Methodist Church crisis in Liberia has escalated into a legal and institutional battle, with the Supreme Court intervening to halt the newly formed Global Methodist Church (GMC) from using properties associated with the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Ganta. The February 23, 2026, Writ of Prohibition issued by Associate Justice Yusuf D. Kaba temporarily barred the GMC from accessing key facilities at the Ganta United Mission Station, including the gymnasium where the breakaway group planned to host its First Annual Conference. The court ordered both parties to appear before it on March 3 and to refrain from further action on the disputed properties until the matter is resolved.

The ruling has intensified an already bitter divide within the Liberian Methodist community, transforming a theological disagreement into a high-stakes legal and institutional battle. The roots of the conflict lie in doctrinal disagreements that mirror a global schism within Methodism, particularly over LGBTQ+ inclusion and church governance reforms. In 2022, conservatives within global Methodism formally launched the Global Methodist Church, breaking away from the United Methodist Church over theological differences. In Liberia, where Christianity remains deeply influential and socially conservative, the split quickly gained traction, leading to competing claims over leadership positions and physical assets.

At the center of the current legal confrontation is the Liberia Annual Conference of the UMC (UMC/LAC), which petitioned the courts to recover properties it says belong to the United Methodist Church. These include not only church buildings but also schools, a hospital, a midwifery facility, guesthouses, administrative offices, and the surrounding grounds at the Ganta Mission Station—one of the most significant Methodist hubs in northern Liberia. Key figures in the dispute include Rev. Ebenezar M. Belleh, Rev. James Y. Korloblee, and Rev. Jerry Kandea—leaders formerly serving under UMC/LAC who aligned with the Global Methodist Church but allegedly refused to relinquish their posts or control over mission properties.

Last year, a Circuit Court in Nimba County dismissed a summary proceeding filed by UMC/LAC to retake possession of the properties. That dismissal effectively allowed the GMC to consolidate its presence at portions of the Mission Station. Since then, the breakaway group reportedly altered visible symbols of identity at the site, further escalating tensions. The legal battle reflects a broader struggle over authority, identity, and the future of Methodist institutions in Liberia, with implications for both church and community life.

The dispute underscores the challenges of maintaining unity within denominations facing internal divisions. As the courts weigh the competing claims, the outcome may set a precedent for how such conflicts are resolved in the future. The situation also highlights the role of physical spaces in shaping religious identity and the importance of governance structures in navigating doctrinal differences. The Methodist community in Liberia continues to grapple with the consequences of this schism, with the legal process serving as a critical moment in determining the path forward.

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