Vision & Mission

THE VISION and HISTORY (1947-1972)

The Afro- American Missionary Crusade (AAMC) organized and incorporated in 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania through the missionary vision of Montrose Waite, a Black man, who had formerly served as foreign missionary in Sierra Leone, West Africa. His recent passing leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. His desire and determination to return to Africa to carry the gospel inspired other Black men of the same vision to organize this work, by faith, in response to the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-16). This mission continues with our current leadership. The Charter members were:

• Ernest Wilson

• Howard O. Lewis

• John Turner

• Joshua H. Bell

• Matthew Johnson

• William Warfield

• Austin Todd

• Montrose Waite, Founder (Recently Passed in July 2023)

Also, those who played vital roles in the organization of AAMC were as follows:

• Clarence Didden

• Alfred W. Ruscoe

• William I. Davis

• Charles H. Dawson

• Charles T. Stang

The AAMC operates an evangelical mission at Bopolu, in Liberia, West Africa, about seventy miles northwest of Monrovia. The work includes an elementary school, a medical dispensary, special care of orphan children and sick infants; evangelistic services in surrounding villages; weekly church and Sunday School services; and adult literacy work.

Others, besides our beloved founder, Montrose Waite (with his wife and children), who have served on our station at Bopolu are Wilfred and Betty Quimby (with children), and Reginald and Clara Shipley (with daughter.) Under the capable and dynamic leadership of our new field director, Andrew Trusty (with his wife Marie and their four children), the following also served on the field: Martha Thompson, Wenona Jennings, Dorothy Evans, William Kenneth Thorpe (and his wife Jean and three children), and Daphne Henderson. Sarah Otteson served as AAMC’s first short-term missionary, serving on the field for two months.

In 1971, AAMC suffered two serious setbacks (from a human point of view); Sister Viola Reddish was called home from her earthly labor in August while serving in Bopolu, and Brother William J. Warfield, AAMC treasurer since its inception, followed her in November. Two major losses but the Lord sustained AAMC during these trying times.

During these 25 years, the mission at Bopolu has grown. Early in its inception, an elementary school was started. This was and still is required by the Liberian government. At one time or another all our missionaries served as teachers in the school. Martha Thompson, Viola Reddish, and Daphne Henderson also served as the principal during the 25 year period.

A dispensary was established in the early 1950’s. The number of village people it served steadily increased over the years. It was staffed in the early years by Wenona Jennings and Dorothy Evans, Marie Trusty, R.N. Mrs. Trusty handled this facility serving as the only dispensary within miles of the Bopolu area. A new dispensary was dedicated in 1969.

The evangelistic work takes many and varied forms. The Bible is taught in the school one hour a day. Trekking (walking) to the neighboring villages to carry the gospel is a regular feature of the mission station. Listed below are the villages which are regularly visited from the mission with their “trek” times.

Village Trek Time

• Medina 1 hr.

• Fassata 2 hrs.

• Gunyataa 2 hrs.

• Banquataa 3 hrs.

• Fahmawetaa 1 hr.

• Samah 2 hrs.

• Saplimah ½ hr.

• Lomah 1 hr.

• Totaqueliah 2 hrs.

• Dwannataa 2 hrs.

Our first Indigenous church was established in Bopolu. The church now worships regularly in the chapel that was completed in 1967. In 1970, the church at Banquataa was dedicated. The congregation of Totoquelleh broke ground for their church building later the same year. The missionaries also teach Bible classes, appear on Radio ELWA, and conduct Vacation Bible School. The Bopolu Bible Mission Church conducts an annual Mid-Dry Conference in July.

The Orphanage was established in 1962 under the vision of Wenona Jennings. At one time, twenty-eight children were living in the Orphanage. These children were left at the mission, most of them sick and at the point of death because of their parent’s belief they were “witched.” Most of these children accepted Christ as their Saviour and are witnessing to their relatives and tribe’s people. The orphans are presently housed in their Orphanage building which was completed in 1968.

Martha Thompson conducted adult literacy work for several years. The people were taught to read and write in Kpelle, their native language. Some of the scriptures have been translated to Kpelle and are taught to the townspeople.

AAMC is not a denominational Board and is not under the auspices of a particular denominational body. As a Faith Mission Board, it has no salaried missionaries or directors. Funds for individual missionaries and the general work are sent by interested persons or groups. These funds are appropriated 100% as designed. Crusade members believe that as they pray, give, and go that God will touch hearts of others to pray and give and go. The Lord has graciously supplied needs, according to his blessed promise since 1947.

In January 1963, for the first time in our history, Benjamin W. Johnson, one of our directors, visited and ministered on our station at Bopolu. Subsequently in 1967, our top officers, William O. Jackson, President, Charles H. Dawson, Vice President spent precious, meaningful, busy days in the work at Bopolu. Lee R. Gardner, a board member, visited Bopolu in 1972 for a few days.

In view of the past, in the light of the present, and in hope of the future – AAMC can truly appropriately express itself through Psalms 126, verses 3-6.