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Central Conferences

Central Conferences
Tafadzwa Chingosho works in his fields in Hanwa, Zimbabwe, to keep the crops free from weeds. Chingosho, who left school to pursue his dream of being a farmer, gained skills through United Methodist programs including Zimbabwe Volunteers in Mission and the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Church programs help young farmer pursue dream

Despite struggling academically, 18-year-old Tafadzwa Chingosho is finding success in pepper farming after being trained by The United Methodist Church.
General Church
The Kenya Prison Service band leads procession at the start of the Africa Methodist Council’s heads of Methodist conferences summit on May 14 in Nairobi, Kenya. Wesleyan episcopal leaders had the opportunity to discuss regionalization of The United Methodist Church and its impact on all Methodist denominations as well as migration and other issues affecting the church. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Methodism emerges stronger in Africa

A United Methodist bishop and other church leaders met to chart a way forward for Methodism in Africa. Regionalization was a big topic of conversation.
Bishops
Bishops Daniel Wandabula (at left in purple robe) and Emmanuel Sinzohagera welcome Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye and First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye to the installation celebration at Ingoma Stadium in Gitega, Burundi, on March 29. More than 4,000 people gathered to celebrate Sinzohagera’s installation as a United Methodist bishop in the newly created East Africa Central Conference. He will lead the Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area and serve as the central conference’s president. Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, United Methodist Communications.

Burundi celebrates new bishop, episcopal area

United Methodists from Burundi and Rwanda united for the installation of the area’s first bishop and establishment of the East Africa Central Conference.
Violence
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.

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