August 21-24, in Meru, Kenya
Location of conference gathering: Githongo Secondary School, Meru County
Theme: “I Will Build My Church,” based on Matthew 16:18.
Officiating bishop: Bishop Daniel Wandabula
Conference welcome message:
Bishop Daniel Wandabula, resident bishop of the East Africa Episcopal Area, shared the conference welcome message with delegates and guests of the Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
He singled out this year’s conference theme, “I Will Build My Church” from Matthew 16:18, which says, “I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
The resident bishop called upon all people to have spiritual eyes and be able to see things the supernatural way.
“Just like what the church is going through: (the) homosexuality issue. This is not a human way, but a spiritual way,” he said.
He noted many things like wars, hunger, sickness and illiteracy are more pressing issues in Africa than human sexuality, which, he said, is an abomination as an African to talk about in public.
“The last special general conference was called with specific reference to deal with issues of human sexuality, however, little did they knew that was not the real issue; what came out first was money and power,” he said.
He observed that The United Methodist Church is drifting away from the core issues of doing mission and propagating the Gospel to communities who have not heard God’s word, and giving too much time to issues that now have become a thorn to ministry and mission, he said.
“I call upon those elected delegates to represent the 2020 General Conference not to be swayed away with money and power but to remain focused,” the bishop said.
He also noted that the East Africa Episcopal Area is still under an embargo imposed by the United Methodist Council on Finance and Administration and the Board of Global Ministries. But, he said, he believes that by the end of year it will be over.
“I appeal to the church agencies to reconsider the suffering of God’s people (rather) than the rigid policies that have discriminated the people of East Africa for the last 12 years,” he said. “I yearn that one day my people will receive justice from the Lord God.”
Session Bible study:
The Rev. Grace Imathiu, lead pastor at First United Methodist Church in Naperville of the North Illinois Conference, who was born and raised in Kenya, took the conference through Bible study on the opening day.
The 2020 General Conference delegates:
The Rev. Wilton Thomas Odongo was elected clergy delegate and head of the delegation and Solomon Nelly Gatune is the lay delegate.
Also elected were five additional reserve clergy delegates: the Revs. Moses Maina Kariuki, Laura Nyamayi, Carol Alois Ososo, Kephas Otieno Oloo and Josam Kariuki.
The five reserve lay delegates are Francis Kihara, Reuben Replie Ososo, Juliet Odhiambo, Evelyn Ann Akumu and Alice Wasilwa.
The following delegates will represent the conference at the Africa Central Conference to be held in August in Mozambique: Odongo, Kariuki and Nyamayi; lay will be represented by Gatune, Kihara and Reuben Replie Ososo. Three alternate clergy and three alternate lay delegates also were elected for the central conference.
Communication equipment donated to the conference:
The conference was honored to receive equipment given by the Rev. Gary R. Henderson, Chief Relationship Officer — Global Partnerships for United Methodist Communications. The new equipment included a set of Dell desktops, a Canon printer, an external 2GB Hard Disk, and internal 4GB modem, valued at $3,500 U.S.
Guest preacher:
Dr. Charles Kyker of Christ United Methodist Church in Hickory, North Carolina, in his preaching, said problems can paralyze the church and are very painful. However, problems bring potential people in our midst and can birth spiritual projects, he said. He said leaders run toward problems, not away from them.
Other top speakers:
1. During the clergy session of the conference, The Rev. Lloyd T. Nyarota, ordained elder in the Zimbabwe East Conference, emphasized the role of pastors in the conference and society, as well as their relationship with the connectional church.
2. Dr. Monica Gitonga, professor at Kenya Methodist University, in her presentation on Mental Health for Effective Service Delivery, said a church needs to help its faithful to experience God and engage on matters of the head and heart for a functional church and complete person.
3. Professor Peter Mageto, deputy vice chancellor at Africa University, appealed to the conference to seize the opportunity and send their young people to study at the institution. He applauded AU for developing an online learning system and also offering a degree in law that young people should consider. He asked the conference to give more support to young people. Mageto also singled out the benefits of studying at Africa University, which offers students international connections. He led the conference to give an offering to four Kenyan theological students at AU. The offering raised $436 U.S.
Other offerings made by the conference:
UMC Githongo church building offering of 19,465 Kenyan shilling.
UMC Ebenezer Korwa church building in Nyanza district: Kshs 4,405
WUMTC Conference pastors school in Nairobi district: Kshs 12,250
Pastors retirees offering: Kshs 9,620
Main actions enacted by the conference:
• The conference passed a budget of $53,986.45 for 2019-2020 financial year.
Resolutions adopted by the conference:
1. CONFERENCE BUSINESS
• Petition to provide hospitality, protect and welcome immigrants and refugees to their communities through prayer and discernment as well as humanitarian support, presented by the Rev. Kennedy Mwita.
• Resolution of the Kenya Annual Conference following the bishop’s State of the Church address to end embargo to mission and ministries within the bounds of the church by a worldwide United Methodist Church, presented by conference lay leader Francis Kihara.
• Petition on reorganization and restructuring of districts for effective mission and apportionment raising, presented by the Rev. Josam Kariuki, which reduced districts to eight and one mission area in Ethiopia.
2. PENSIONS
• Petition providing a defined contribution of clergy and staff of 12% monthly contribution with minimum set at Kshs 300 ($3). Submitted by the Rev. Thomas Juma, clergy to the annual conference.
The Four Areas of Focus and conference commitments for the coming year:
The conference emphasized congregational economic development and urged members and beyond to do voluntarily savings to earn loans through the newly established United Methodist Savings and Credit Co-operation Society of Kenya. The main vision is to promote a savings culture and provide affordable credit and sustainable financial solutions to members and stakeholders.
Another pressing area of focus was investing in land economics for agricultural production to secure societies on food security. The conference identified 30 acres in Nyanza district viable for farming.
The conference adopted the Partners in Hope program report that has transformed over 2,000 lives of the orphans and vulnerable in Naivasha, Kenya.
On health care, the conference recognized the service of Kopanga United Methodist Dispensary in Nyanza and Kikopey in Central District, which offer health care services such as maternity, outpatient services, inpatient observation, cervical cancer screening, HIV treatment and care, reproductive health services, counselling sessions, nutrition programs and immunization services. However, the conference identified the challenges faced by the two health facilities, including inadequate equipment and infrastructure.
The conference encouraged young people to seize the opportunity of its young college and join in biblical Christian growth. The bishop encouraged potential leaders to enroll at Wesleyan United Methodist Training College, stating that leaders must grow other leaders to the transformation of the world.
The conference recognized three orders of ordained elders:
a. The Rev. Peter Mageto from the Methodist Church in Kenya.
b. The Rev. Symmington Ssofwa Karisa from the Anglican Church communion.
c. The Rev. George Okumu Achar from the Methodist Church in Kenya.
Number of people ordained, commissioned or received into associate membership:
The conference witnessed ordination of seven elders (three females and four males), four deacons in full connection (two females and two males) and commissioned 22 into provisional membership of the annual conference.
Ordained: 4 (average age: 35)
Commissioned: 22 (average age: 40)
Number of people retired: 20 clergy
Total clergy members: 171
Average weekly worship attendance stands at 7,323, up from 6,708.
Church school attendance stands at 6,755, up from 6,704 last year
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2019, three (same as 2018).
Baptized members: 4,636, up from 4,021 in 2018.
The number of members grew to 20,708, up from 19,670 in 2018.
The fourth session of the Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference will be held in Nairobi, July 30-Aug 2, 2020, in Kenya.
— Gad Maiga is a communicator for the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference
Location of conference gathering: Githongo Secondary School, Meru County
Theme: “I Will Build My Church,” based on Matthew 16:18.
Officiating bishop: Bishop Daniel Wandabula
Conference welcome message:
Bishop Daniel Wandabula, resident bishop of the East Africa Episcopal Area, shared the conference welcome message with delegates and guests of the Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
He singled out this year’s conference theme, “I Will Build My Church” from Matthew 16:18, which says, “I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
The resident bishop called upon all people to have spiritual eyes and be able to see things the supernatural way.
“Just like what the church is going through: (the) homosexuality issue. This is not a human way, but a spiritual way,” he said.
He noted many things like wars, hunger, sickness and illiteracy are more pressing issues in Africa than human sexuality, which, he said, is an abomination as an African to talk about in public.
“The last special general conference was called with specific reference to deal with issues of human sexuality, however, little did they knew that was not the real issue; what came out first was money and power,” he said.
He observed that The United Methodist Church is drifting away from the core issues of doing mission and propagating the Gospel to communities who have not heard God’s word, and giving too much time to issues that now have become a thorn to ministry and mission, he said.
“I call upon those elected delegates to represent the 2020 General Conference not to be swayed away with money and power but to remain focused,” the bishop said.
He also noted that the East Africa Episcopal Area is still under an embargo imposed by the United Methodist Council on Finance and Administration and the Board of Global Ministries. But, he said, he believes that by the end of year it will be over.
“I appeal to the church agencies to reconsider the suffering of God’s people (rather) than the rigid policies that have discriminated the people of East Africa for the last 12 years,” he said. “I yearn that one day my people will receive justice from the Lord God.”
Session Bible study:
The Rev. Grace Imathiu, lead pastor at First United Methodist Church in Naperville of the North Illinois Conference, who was born and raised in Kenya, took the conference through Bible study on the opening day.
The 2020 General Conference delegates:
The Rev. Wilton Thomas Odongo was elected clergy delegate and head of the delegation and Solomon Nelly Gatune is the lay delegate.
Also elected were five additional reserve clergy delegates: the Revs. Moses Maina Kariuki, Laura Nyamayi, Carol Alois Ososo, Kephas Otieno Oloo and Josam Kariuki.
The five reserve lay delegates are Francis Kihara, Reuben Replie Ososo, Juliet Odhiambo, Evelyn Ann Akumu and Alice Wasilwa.
The following delegates will represent the conference at the Africa Central Conference to be held in August in Mozambique: Odongo, Kariuki and Nyamayi; lay will be represented by Gatune, Kihara and Reuben Replie Ososo. Three alternate clergy and three alternate lay delegates also were elected for the central conference.
Communication equipment donated to the conference:
The conference was honored to receive equipment given by the Rev. Gary R. Henderson, Chief Relationship Officer — Global Partnerships for United Methodist Communications. The new equipment included a set of Dell desktops, a Canon printer, an external 2GB Hard Disk, and internal 4GB modem, valued at $3,500 U.S.
Guest preacher:
Dr. Charles Kyker of Christ United Methodist Church in Hickory, North Carolina, in his preaching, said problems can paralyze the church and are very painful. However, problems bring potential people in our midst and can birth spiritual projects, he said. He said leaders run toward problems, not away from them.
Other top speakers:
1. During the clergy session of the conference, The Rev. Lloyd T. Nyarota, ordained elder in the Zimbabwe East Conference, emphasized the role of pastors in the conference and society, as well as their relationship with the connectional church.
2. Dr. Monica Gitonga, professor at Kenya Methodist University, in her presentation on Mental Health for Effective Service Delivery, said a church needs to help its faithful to experience God and engage on matters of the head and heart for a functional church and complete person.
3. Professor Peter Mageto, deputy vice chancellor at Africa University, appealed to the conference to seize the opportunity and send their young people to study at the institution. He applauded AU for developing an online learning system and also offering a degree in law that young people should consider. He asked the conference to give more support to young people. Mageto also singled out the benefits of studying at Africa University, which offers students international connections. He led the conference to give an offering to four Kenyan theological students at AU. The offering raised $436 U.S.
Other offerings made by the conference:
UMC Githongo church building offering of 19,465 Kenyan shilling.
UMC Ebenezer Korwa church building in Nyanza district: Kshs 4,405
WUMTC Conference pastors school in Nairobi district: Kshs 12,250
Pastors retirees offering: Kshs 9,620
Main actions enacted by the conference:
• The conference passed a budget of $53,986.45 for 2019-2020 financial year.
Resolutions adopted by the conference:
1. CONFERENCE BUSINESS
• Petition to provide hospitality, protect and welcome immigrants and refugees to their communities through prayer and discernment as well as humanitarian support, presented by the Rev. Kennedy Mwita.
• Resolution of the Kenya Annual Conference following the bishop’s State of the Church address to end embargo to mission and ministries within the bounds of the church by a worldwide United Methodist Church, presented by conference lay leader Francis Kihara.
• Petition on reorganization and restructuring of districts for effective mission and apportionment raising, presented by the Rev. Josam Kariuki, which reduced districts to eight and one mission area in Ethiopia.
2. PENSIONS
• Petition providing a defined contribution of clergy and staff of 12% monthly contribution with minimum set at Kshs 300 ($3). Submitted by the Rev. Thomas Juma, clergy to the annual conference.
The Four Areas of Focus and conference commitments for the coming year:
The conference emphasized congregational economic development and urged members and beyond to do voluntarily savings to earn loans through the newly established United Methodist Savings and Credit Co-operation Society of Kenya. The main vision is to promote a savings culture and provide affordable credit and sustainable financial solutions to members and stakeholders.
Another pressing area of focus was investing in land economics for agricultural production to secure societies on food security. The conference identified 30 acres in Nyanza district viable for farming.
The conference adopted the Partners in Hope program report that has transformed over 2,000 lives of the orphans and vulnerable in Naivasha, Kenya.
On health care, the conference recognized the service of Kopanga United Methodist Dispensary in Nyanza and Kikopey in Central District, which offer health care services such as maternity, outpatient services, inpatient observation, cervical cancer screening, HIV treatment and care, reproductive health services, counselling sessions, nutrition programs and immunization services. However, the conference identified the challenges faced by the two health facilities, including inadequate equipment and infrastructure.
The conference encouraged young people to seize the opportunity of its young college and join in biblical Christian growth. The bishop encouraged potential leaders to enroll at Wesleyan United Methodist Training College, stating that leaders must grow other leaders to the transformation of the world.
The conference recognized three orders of ordained elders:
a. The Rev. Peter Mageto from the Methodist Church in Kenya.
b. The Rev. Symmington Ssofwa Karisa from the Anglican Church communion.
c. The Rev. George Okumu Achar from the Methodist Church in Kenya.
Number of people ordained, commissioned or received into associate membership:
The conference witnessed ordination of seven elders (three females and four males), four deacons in full connection (two females and two males) and commissioned 22 into provisional membership of the annual conference.
Ordained: 4 (average age: 35)
Commissioned: 22 (average age: 40)
Number of people retired: 20 clergy
Total clergy members: 171
Average weekly worship attendance stands at 7,323, up from 6,708.
Church school attendance stands at 6,755, up from 6,704 last year
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2019, three (same as 2018).
Baptized members: 4,636, up from 4,021 in 2018.
The number of members grew to 20,708, up from 19,670 in 2018.
The fourth session of the Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference will be held in Nairobi, July 30-Aug 2, 2020, in Kenya.
— Gad Maiga is a communicator for the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference
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