In his tribe, is an unimaginable ritual. They would take a child, kill him or her, and then eat them. At 11 years old, Joshua partook in this ritual. He says he met the devil who told him that he would become a great warrior, but only if he continues this cannibalistic sacrifice yearly. Joshua says that this ritual is practiced in secret all over Liberia for the "benefit of the tribe".
Joshua grew up to become known as General Butt Naked, one of Liberia's most brutal warlords. He was given this name because he and his soldiers would charge into battle naked, except wearing boots and brandishing machine guns. They hoped that this would make the "enemy" think of them as animals instead of men.
He would have a child sacrifice before every battle that he and his men would go into. They believed that if they killed and ate a child before battle that would gain strength for the coming fight.
Over his years as warlord it is said that he and his men have killed over 20,000 people. During the 14 years of civil war, he was known as the most horrifyingly inhuman warlord in Africa's history. His crimes not only included murder and cannibalism, but also cocaine, diamond, and gun trading.
His soldiers, known as the Butt Naked Brigade, included many children. Joshua would crush cocaine and put it into the children's food. He recruited many children as young as 9 or 10 years old.
Joshua says that he had nightly conversations with the devil for 14 years.
In 1996, during a battle that wasn't going so well. Joshua decided that they needed a sacrifice. A woman brought a 3 year old to him. Something about this child caught his attention. This child was calm and peaceful, not screaming and struggling. This made a great impression upon the warlord.
After she was killed, he saw a blinding light in the shape of a man, and heard "repent and live, or refuse and die". That was the turning point in his life. He became aware that witchcraft and cannibalism were wrong.
He was in turmoil over killing this little girl, and left the Butt Naked Brigade. His men thought that he was losing his mind.
The military leaders in Liberia hoped that Bishop John Kun Kun in Monrovia could help convert the General. The bishop told Joshua, "All I want to tell you is Jesus loves you and He has a better plan for your life." After many visits, he realized that Joshua was truly scared and looking for a way out.
One of Joshua's favorite verses is John 3:16. Bishop Kun Kun told Joshua that God had the power to change anyone, even Butt Naked.
He is now a father of 3 and pastor in Liberia. The once notorious warlord is calling for the end of child sacrifice and cannibalism in Liberia. He is even willing to go on trial for war crimes that he committed. He says "if I can change, anyone can". Though he has changed, his name and reputation still bring fear to certain who hear it.
He knows that God has forgiven him, but there are still those in his country that have not. And even though his sins are under the blood, the consequences of all he has done remain. The killing still haunts him. And he still remembers all the evil that he committed.
Not everyone is happy about this change. He has had many assassination attempts on his life. He says if you went to his village and even spoke of the "sacrifice" you would be immediately killed.
His life has become about saving those who need help. He preaches, sings, and has started a rehabilitation center for those who wish to leave killing behind. He is doing his best to help change the country that once he helped to destroy.
