The fifth session of the Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference convened Aug. 21-23 at Tazama Christ Mshomoroni (Christ in the Cross) United Methodist Church, Mombasa County, Kenya.

The theme of this year’s conference was based on Nehemiah 2:17-20, “Let Us Rise Up and Build.” Resident Bishop Daniel Wandabula, East Africa Episcopal Area, presided over the conference.

Other invited leaders included the Rev. Gary Henderson, chief relationship officer for United Methodist Communications, and Ndzulo Tueche, Central Conference connectional officer, General Council on Finance and Administration. 

Tueche focused on the Book of Discipline Paragraph 2553, outlining the disaffiliation process in America. The process does not apply outside of the U.S. Superintendents from eight districts were present. The Rev. Obang Olamo, senior pastor of the Ethiopia United Methodist Church, part of the Kenya mission outreach area, also attended.

The day before the annual conference session began, Wandabula presided over a church dedication about 162 miles from Mombasa. He was assisted by cabinet members, including the Rev. Paul Matheri, the Rev. Wilton Odongo, the Rev. Kennedy Mwita, the Rev. Moses Maina, and the Rev. Bernard Mundiri. Henderson and Tueche also accompanied the bishop.

The bishop’s cabinet met before the annual conference sessions began, and Henderson shared from Nehemiah 2:17-20. The meeting was meant to harmonize the agendas of the conference. Each district superintendent was given an opportunity to share. The bishop asked if any district superintendents planned to leave the church. Odongo, the Rev. Kephas Oloo and the Rev. Rosemary Iseren Wandera said they would leave. Others who declared their intention to leave were Deaconess Beatrice Asyago and Evelyne Bwire, conference women’s president.

During the opening service, Henderson again preached on the theme, “Let Us Rise Up and Build.” After the opening service, the bishop spoke on the state of the church. Wandabula said he was greatly honored and humbled to see all in attendance. He noted that even as globally the economies of the countries are still recovering from the effects of COVID-19, delegates found resources to travel and spend more than three days together to celebrate 2022 achievements and plan for 2023 ministry. 

Wandabula said the tension related to disaffiliation, particularly in the United States, is affecting the United Methodist family all over the world, especially in terms of progress and growth in ministry and service to humanity.

“As we ponder some of these challenges (from Nehemiah),” Wandabula said, “we can relate with the story of the children of Israel who were also facing challenges as they returned to Jerusalem after their 70-year exile in Babylon.” Nehemiah asked the Israelites to go back and rebuild the wall around the city of Jerusalem. Zerubbabel had returned with a group of Israelites to rebuild the temple of God. Zerubbabel was threatened by the enemies of Israel and, as a result, did not finish the job. Without a wall around the city, Jerusalem was vulnerable to future attacks. 

“This is the same thing we are facing today,” the bishop said. “As we move toward 2024, there are many people who are still using the GCFA (General Council on Finance and Administration) issue of failing to make a statement of lifting the embargo and threatening not to accept the liberal agenda in The United Methodist Church in East Africa.”

Wandabula was referencing the denomination’s finance agency withholding funds from the East Africa episcopal office for more than a decade amid financial concerns. Earlier this year, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries announced that it had restored its relationship with the East Africa Episcopal Area. 

Regarding the future of the church, Wandabula said, “While the African bishops and many other African leaders are in support of maintaining the unity of The United Methodist Church, we (are) not in support of or will not accept any efforts to force The United Methodist Church in Africa to implement or accept any practices that may be contrary to our Christian beliefs and African culture.”

On the second day of the annual conference gathering, the cabinet met to lay out how to proceed with the conference. They agreed that the bishop would adjourn the conference on the second day and that the retirement service would proceed. They also determined that the bishop would name an ad hoc committee from the team who wanted to leave The United Methodist Church, led by Odongo, and another from those remaining in The United Methodist Church, led by Matheri. The committee was given 60 days to look at issues that can be agreed upon before any church in the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference decides to leave the denomination.

The annual conference approved retirement of the following clergy: the Revs. Adel Rukenya, Paul Mwirigi and Isaac Kiruki Kauru.

During the retirement service, Matheri shared from Psalm 92:14 (NIV). He encouraged retirees with these words, “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” 

Wandabula again emphasized God’s vision for The United Methodist Church: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This is a two-part mission/vision, he said.

“First,” he noted, “we have been called to make disciples of Jesus Christ. A disciple is a follower, and a follower … serves that master but also does what the master does or what the master wants. Many of us are doing well with this first part of the vision. We have followed and even turned our congregations (as) good followers of Jesus through evangelism.

“But the major aim of the follower,” Wandabula continued, “is to imitate the master, who in this case is Jesus Christ, and … become like him in every way possible.”

The second part of the mission, he said, is to transform the world. “This transformation should start with the community in which we live and where our church is located,” he concluded.

The conference secretary was invited to read the names of the ad hoc committee, while Mwita read the appointments for the Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference.

Officers of the annual conference:

• Dean of superintendents, the Rev. Paul Matheri
• Secretary, the Rev. Stanley Mwiti Ringera
• Assistant secretary, Nelly Ruuri
• Treasurer, David Baraza Khalonyere
• Statistician, the Rev. Benedict Odhiambo
• Lay leader, Francis Kiharah
• Director of connectional ministries and Volunteers in Mission, the Rev. Kennedy Mwita
• Communicator, the Rev. Benard Mudiri Amani
• Director of Christian education, the Rev. Alois Leepren Ososo
• Board of trustees, the Rev. Paul Matheri
• Board of Ordained Ministry, the Rev. Moses Maina

Conference organization leaders: Rose Wairimu Kinuthia, women’s president; Justus Orari, men’s president; and Zachew Mwita, youth and young adult president.

The Rev. Paul Matheri, Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference dean of superintendents.