We left Leile with his debts to pay but it didn't take him long. He quickly founded a church in Kingston, Jamaica, with his family and three other members. Their first services were held at the local racing track! Akin writes, "During eight years of preaching, Leile baptized five hundred persons and established a strong church in Kingston. Again giving evidence of his humility and desire to glory only in Christ, he sent urgent appeals to the British Baptist to send missionaries. As a wise minister, he gladly shared the growing work with other capable co-laborers." Akin also attests the emancipation of the slaves in Jamaica on July 31, 1833, to Leile's gospel proclamation, though it was a rocky path leading up to that joyous occasion.
Before 1802, Leile was thrown in prison for "rebellious preaching," and not even allowed to have his wife or children visit him. He was tried for his life, but was freed because "no evil could be proved against him," notes Edward Holmes. Unfortunately, shortly after his first stint in the Kingston prison, he was thrown in again, this time because the builder of his chapel claimed that Leile hadn't paid him. Leile was forced to pay all the fines from his own pocket and ended up taking extra jobs once he was released from prison to pay more to the shifty builder.
Christian persecution settled in around 1805, though it didn't get too bad until 1810. This was due to the fact that a law forbidding all preaching to the slaves was enacted. Brutal and severe persecution of the missionaries broke out really from 1802 all the way until slavery was abolished in 1833, yet still continued until 1838 when all slavery was removed from Jamaica.
Akin writes, "Only a man devoted to glorying in Christ crucified and not himself could endure such opposition and shameful conduct from fellow human beings. And the result of his humble perseverance. In 1814 there were only eight thousand Baptists in Jamaica, including slaves, freed men, and some whites. Only eighteen years later in 1832, there were twenty thousand Baptists in Jamaica. The genesis of this great harvest: George Leile!"
Records show that George Leile died around 1828, a few years before he could see slavery fully abolished. But he died trusting in God's work and His word and knew His glory would prevail despite shifty chapel builders, filthy prisons, false accusations, slavery, sin and vile persecution. Edward Holmes finishes a reflection on George Leile's life with this,
Before 1802, Leile was thrown in prison for "rebellious preaching," and not even allowed to have his wife or children visit him. He was tried for his life, but was freed because "no evil could be proved against him," notes Edward Holmes. Unfortunately, shortly after his first stint in the Kingston prison, he was thrown in again, this time because the builder of his chapel claimed that Leile hadn't paid him. Leile was forced to pay all the fines from his own pocket and ended up taking extra jobs once he was released from prison to pay more to the shifty builder.
Christian persecution settled in around 1805, though it didn't get too bad until 1810. This was due to the fact that a law forbidding all preaching to the slaves was enacted. Brutal and severe persecution of the missionaries broke out really from 1802 all the way until slavery was abolished in 1833, yet still continued until 1838 when all slavery was removed from Jamaica.
Akin writes, "Only a man devoted to glorying in Christ crucified and not himself could endure such opposition and shameful conduct from fellow human beings. And the result of his humble perseverance. In 1814 there were only eight thousand Baptists in Jamaica, including slaves, freed men, and some whites. Only eighteen years later in 1832, there were twenty thousand Baptists in Jamaica. The genesis of this great harvest: George Leile!"
Records show that George Leile died around 1828, a few years before he could see slavery fully abolished. But he died trusting in God's work and His word and knew His glory would prevail despite shifty chapel builders, filthy prisons, false accusations, slavery, sin and vile persecution. Edward Holmes finishes a reflection on George Leile's life with this,
"The slave, who was himself set free to declare the glorious deliverance of his Lord, had brought the fruits of the gospel's spirit to thousands who had learned to love his Lord and accept his salvation. The Negro prophet of deliverance had raised up many courageous servants of the Lord to lead his people into their Promised Land of freedom."*Note: This biographical sketch of George Leile was adapted from Chapter Six of 10 Who Changed the World.