2018 Mozambique North Annual Conference

Location of conference gathering: Beira Circuit, Mozambique

Dates of conference gathering: Oct. 23-28

Officiating bishop: Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala

Guest speaker: The Rev. Wayne Lavender, coordinator of the USA Orphans Foundation.

Memorable points by the speaker:

"We must make disciples of Jesus Christ through helping the orphans."

"It is unfortunate that humankind's nature is most of the times led by evil thoughts such as: egocentrism, jealousy, spirit of superiority and looking down upon others, lack of obedience to the divine law, aspects that jeopardize humanity."

"The issue of homosexuality is deviating the church's main mission, which is making disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world."

"Countless hours and resources are spent on homosexuality rather than on orphans, the vulnerable, the widows and widowers, the poor, evangelism, global health, justice, peace and end of violence."

Main actions enacted by the conference:

The conference must draw up indicators so as to uplift a local church to a circuit level.

Mocuba local church was elevated to an evangelical extension category.

On the issue related to the special 2019 General Conference and the work of the Commission on Way Forward, a debate among the conference members was raised. Some were very concerned about the practice and skeptical about the possible acceptance of those with that sexual orientation. In regards to homosexuality, Bernardo Zeferino, the Conference Youth President said, "We should not discriminate people in the church based on their sexual orientation, however, the main position we should take is that we do not officiate homosexual marriages nor ordain gay pastors."

Resolutions adopted by the conference:

The basic resolutions we think would be relevant for the global church, include:

1. For the year 2019: 801 new souls should be brought to church within the entire Mozambique North Annual Conference.
2. The conference must continue paying its apportionments to the central and General Conference. (The bishop's assistant informed the conference that part of the apportionments to the central and General Conferences have been paid.)
3. It was decided that church members should continually be taught about the importance of stewardship and generosity.

Number of people ordained, commissioned or received into associate membership: One, Francisco Viagem Tivane, 39, ordained deacon.

The conference did not elect new delegates for the special 2019 General Conference.

Number of people retired: One clergy person.

Membership stands at 17,461, up 603 from the previous year.

Worship attendance stands at 800, up 300 up from the previous year.

Church school attendance stands at an average of 45 students per class, with one new school from the previous year.

Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2017: 16,858, up from 15,782 in 2016.

Adults and young adults in small groups for 2017: 9,536, up from 8,541 in 2016.

Worshippers engaged in mission for 2017: Approximately 140 worshippers were engaged in mission for 2017, up from 106 in 2016.

What did your annual conference do to reinforce the Four Areas of Focus, and what commitments have the conference made for the coming year:

1. Improving global health.

1. Health workshops within the conference have been held, with positive outcomes that can been seen and measured through quality of life and less visits to hospitals and/or deaths due to diseases.
2. The health board has spent hours in preparing, teaching and disseminating health information to create awareness in valuing and preventing curable diseases. 
3. Water wells have been drilled and are now providing clean water to communities, thus reducing the risk of drinking contaminated and unclean water, boosting health quality within communities.
    

2. Developing principled Christian leaders.

1. Education and training of both lay and clergy forms the foundation. Seminars have been held from the grassroots to the top.

1. Annually there is a conference workshop geared solely to pastors, equipping them with updated knowledge and tools to respond to the church and community needs.
2. Laity also has been equipped in areas such as discipleship. The youth, young adults, women and men are the main target for those studies and trainings that will enable them to serve within their communities.
3. Our schools in Muxungue, Tete and Gondola serve as hubs of learning, education and of Christian leader development.
4. Any school or water well built contributes to the church family's growth.
    

3. Engaging in ministry with the poor.

1. Mozambique North Conference is within a country where poverty is visible, sensible and tangible.

1. One, among many hands it stretches to assist the poor and vulnerable, is the Dondo Orphanage, where it caters for many orphans and vulnerable children.
2. Even our schools aforementioned play a significant role in combating poverty (illiteracy) but also as centers where leadership is shaped.
3. Water wells provide fresh water to communities and help in reducing poverty within our country and specifically within our conference.
    

4. Creating new and renewed congregations.

Mozambique North Conference has in its church plan this area of focus.

1. New congregations along our vast geographical area are created.
2. Struggling congregations are renewed or revitalized in order to follow the pace of the mission, and this is done intentionally.
3. New chapels are built and dedicated.
4. Any ministry that is ushered at any given community serves as an evangelizing tool.
   
   — João Filimone Sambo, Africa Lusophone correspondent for United Methodist News Service.