William Wadé Harris (c. 1860s–1929)

William Wadé Harris was a Grebo man from Liberia who became one of the most influential West African evangelists of the early twentieth century. His story is marked by an early season of political misjudgment, followed by a striking claim of divine calling and an unusually fruitful preaching ministry. He is often remembered for urging public repentance, turning from idolatry, and baptism, while emphasizing prayer, Scripture, and the lordship of Jesus Christ.

The Flag Incident and Imprisonment (February 11, 1909)

On February 11, 1909, Harris committed a reckless political act: he tore down the Liberian flag and raised a British one, hoping his people might become a protectorate. For this he was imprisoned for treason. The event revealed both the pressures facing coastal communities and the dangers of seeking salvation through political symbols. Yet Harris later testified that, in confinement, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and called him to proclaim Christ. However one weighs the extraordinary nature of his testimony, his later life was characterized by boldness, moral seriousness, and a sustained call to repentance.

Evangelistic Journeys in the Ivory Coast and Gold Coast

After his release, Harris traveled through the Ivory Coast (then largely under French rule) and the Gold Coast (under British rule), preaching to villages and coastal towns. He urged hearers to renounce fetishes and occult practices, to destroy objects of spiritual bondage, and to turn to Christ in faith. Reports describe him praying for the sick and calling whole crowds to receive baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, echoing the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19). His ministry often displayed practical courage—crossing boundaries of language, colonial jurisdictions, and spiritual opposition—while calling people to live openly as Christians.

Spiritual Significance and Legacy

Harris’s work helped lay foundations for widespread Christian growth in coastal West Africa. His message centered on repentance and new life: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). His life illustrates how God can redirect a flawed past into humble service, and how faith, repentance, and obedience can reshape whole communities.