The Redemption of an African Warlord

In the Media:

Excerpt taken from the 2013 Issue of the Destiny Image Magalog
Written by Brenda Weber, President, Joshua Blahyi Ministries

The 14-year civil war that ravaged Liberia (1989-1996) is considered one of the bloodiest displays of violence in West African history, claiming the lives of 250,000 people, displacing at least a million, and turning one of out five children into soldiers. In the midst of all the carnage stood feared warlord, Joshua Blahyi.

The Redemption of an African Warlord is about my friend Joshua Milton Blahyi.

Known as “General Butt Naked”, the name that struck fear in the Liberian people. Joshua believed that if he went into battle completely nude, he would be protected. It’s hard for me to believe that this man is the man that I call brother. The two are total opposites.

Joshua, the warlord, was groomed from birth to be the high priest of his tribe.

“…it is only by the grace of God that [I have] been redeemed.”

—Joshua Blahyi

Any good thing given to Joshua was said to come from Nya-na-oweh, the deity they worshipped. When Joshua was delivered to this “deity”, at the age of eleven, he viewed Nya-na-o-weh as the giver of all good things. It’s hard for us here in the US to believe that someone can see and interact with a demon, but in Joshua’s Krahn tribe it was common place from the time of his ancestors. Joshua’s father didn’t want Joshua to become high priest. He knew what Joshua would be required to do. When told he and Joshua would both be killed if he didn’t hand over his son, he had no choice. Joshua became high priest at eleven years old, performing all the duties of high priest, including monthly human sacrifice. Joshua was taken into a dark world, becoming a very dark man.…

Joshua now runs a rehabilitation program for young men in Liberia. The artwork these young men produce is astounding.