Name of conference: Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference
Location of conference gathering: Kubweye High School, Migori County in Kenya
Dates of conference gathering: Aug. 22-25, 2018
Officiating bishop: Bishop Daniel Wandabula, Resident Bishop of the East Africa Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church.
Guest speakers and memorable points or quotes by speakers:
Bishop Daniel Wandabula, resident bishop of the East Africa Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, officiated the conference.
On the conference theme: "Revive Us Again," (Psalm 85:6), the bishop said that revival brings restoration and it must begin with us, God's people. He said that revival means to bring something back to a good condition and that churches, nations, families, individuals and the conference need revival. From Acts 3:19, he said that churches can do evangelism and bring people to Christ. He noted that revival is the sovereign act of God.
On education, he urged pastors to apply for scholarships and seek further studies in order to be able to lead effectively.
On giving, he said that all believers must take the issue seriously and pastors must encourage giving in their local churches.
The Rev. Allan Masimba Gurupira, administrative assistant to Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa from the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, also spoke.
During the opening service, Gurupira shared on the theme: "Revive Us Again." He emphasized that only God can revive us and that revival is important for the growth of the church and for the glory of God who is able to revive those things that are dead in our lives for our own good.
Gurupira told the ordinands that the task ahead is not easy, but with God all things are possible and that God rejects the proud and lifts the humble.
The Rev. George Odhiambo Atego of the Anglican Church of Kenya, was the preacher during a service of humility, repentance and resentment.
With readings from Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 and Isaiah 35:1-10, Atego talked about humility through pain. He said that there is God's grace in every pain that we go through and that a humble church experiences unity of purpose, enjoys God's grace and favor, emits God's love and it becomes a call, not a duty. He concluded that the spiritual you overrides the physical you and so we should repent from anger and bitterness as the church.
Main actions enacted by the conference:
- The conference name was changed from Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference to Kenya Annual Conference and Ethiopia was to remain as a district.
- Conference members voted on an amendment to the denomination's constitution. To be ratified, at least two-thirds of all annual conference voters must vote for an amendment. The bishops will be able to announce the results after all annual conferences have voted.
Resolutions adopted by the conference:
- CONFERENCE BUSINESS
- Delegates agreed to sign a petition to the Judicial Council pertaining to the embargo against the East Africa Annual Conference
- Delegates proposed three people to look into Nakuru Mission School ownership as part of the ongoing process of reclaiming lost church property
- PENSIONS
- It was agreed that pension scheme is compulsory for all active pastors, who are therefore required to contribute to the scheme.
- All pastors must pay Kshs. 1000 ($10) monthly to the pension fund account. The plan is meant for retired and surviving spouses.
- COMMISSION ON THE WAY FORWARD for the church concerning the issues of homosexuality, the bishop informed the delegates that a lot of information about the same was available on the internet. Members were advised to visit church website for more information.
Number of people ordained, commissioned or received into associate membership, and average age:
- Ordained: 4 (Average age — 35)
- Commissioned: 12 (Average age — 40)
- Associate Membership: 3 (Average age — 42)
- Number of people retired: 13
Membership stands at 20,031, up from 19,670 the previous year.
Average weekly worship attendance stands at 6,708, up from 5,421.
Church school attendance stands at 6,704, up from 1,319 last year
Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2017 was 608, up from 549 in 2016.
Adults and young adults in small groups for 2017 was 6,704, up from 5,385 in 2016.
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2017 was 3, up from 2 in 2016.
What did your annual conference do to reinforce the Four Areas of Focus, and what commitments has the conference made for the coming year?
- Developing Principled Christian Leaders
The Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference believes that the church needs leaders rooted in Christ, who have a vision for changing the world. The conference designed a strategic plan to embrace young people with fearless hearts, vibrant ideas and a passion for ministry. The young people's talents shall be nurtured to shape the church's path into the future. It shall also strengthen lay members, who are ministering at every level of the church.
The conference made a commitment in the coming year to organize leadership seminars focusing on discipleship, children, youth, families, migration, diaconal ministry, administration, spirituality, serving with spiritual gifts and passions and much more.
- Congregational Development
The conference was vocal on the need to embrace effective congregational development practices to touch more lives and draw more people to Christ, through the Bishop Daniel Wandabula and several conference delegates. The conference resolved to challenge the traditional meaning of "being church," planting new congregations and revitalizing faith communities in every kind of setting.
The conference is committed to exploring different new ways to create new faith communities with new people — like; house churches, migrant churches (with migrants, refugees and others), established churches planting new churches, established churches adding a new worship service.
- Ministry with the Poor
The conference reiterated that Christ calls us to be in ministry with the poor and marginalized. The conference resolved that in the coming year, ministry with the poor will emphasis on "with" — standing with those who are regarded as "the least of these," listening to them, understanding their needs and aspirations, and working with them to achieve their goals. It will also address the causes of poverty and respond in ways that lift up individuals and communities as United Methodists believe that working side by side with those striving to improve their situation is more efficient in the long term than top-down charity.
Most of the local churches in Kenya are involved in some kind of diaconal ministry in the community. After school programs, ministry with homeless and marginalized people, support in relation to social services, community enhancement programs and much more. Church work with at-risk children, migrant communities, offer language and culture classes, offer hospitality and create networks.
- Improving Global Health
The conference received various reports on health projects followed by emphasis on the church to hold on as a key player in fighting diseases of poverty such as malaria and AIDS through promoting initiatives that improve well-being of our members, the communities we serve and global health. The conference captures that work with the slogan "Live and Let Live."
The conference reiterated its commitment to the principles of human dignity and equity, social justice, freedom, self-determination, access to clean food and water, and non-discriminatory access to available health care.
Among the projects are clinics, safe water supply, improved sanitation facilities, HIV testing and counselling, Imagine No Malaria campaigns and vaccinations, and medical outreaches.
— Report by Gad Maiga, conference communicator, Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference.
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