Central Conferences

Nurse on duty Bienfait Kabeya Ntumba (right) recounts how he was beaten during an attack on the United Methodist Irambo Health Center on the night of March 18 in Bukavu, Congo. Dr. Jimmy Kasongo (center), medical director of the health center, listens during a staff meeting. It is the second time in a month that armed gunmen invaded the hospital. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

United Methodist hospital staff attacked in Congo

Armed men invaded two church health centers in eastern Congo, leading to violence and looting.

Bishop Daniel Wandabula (center), Africa Central Conference College of Bishops president, congratulates the Rev. Emmanuel Sinzohagera of Burundi after he was elected a United Methodist bishop on the first ballot March 15 at the Africa Central Conference in Johannesburg. At left, Bishop Joaquina F. Nhanala of the Mozambique Episcopal Area looks on. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Emmanuel Sinzohagera elected as bishop

The dean of superintendents and speaker of the Senate in Burundi was elected a United Methodist bishop on the first ballot at the Africa Central Conference.

Local Church

United Methodists stand in front of the new Mont Morija United Methodist Church in Golf Plateau III, a fast-growing district of Lubumbashi, Congo. The new building can accommodate 800 worshippers. Photo courtesy of the Jerusalem District.

Family donates funds to build South Congo church

The new United Methodist sanctuary with room for 800 worshippers is helping grow membership and ministries in the South Congo Conference.

Central Conferences

The United Methodist Church is getting a new map in Africa. When the Africa Central Conference meets March 13-17 in Johannesburg, the central conference will split to form the Southern Africa and East Africa central conferences. Central conferences are responsible for electing bishops and making adaptations to the Book of Discipline for their missional context. Graphic by Ben Ward, UM News.

Church gears up for new bishops, new map

Four United Methodist central conferences are scheduled in the coming months. By the time they conclude, United Methodists expect to have eight additional new bishops and one more central conference.

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