The United Methodist Church is welcoming four new bishops who were elected Saturday, March 15, during the Africa Central Conference session in Johannesburg, South Africa. The bishops were consecrated in March.
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Bishop Thomas Bickerton and Bishop LaTrelle Easterling were the presiding officers on behalf of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church.
Bishop Sinzohagera, 50, the former dean of the Cabinet and speaker of the Senate in Burundi, was elected on the first ballot in the session. He noted that his vision for Burundi is to remain in The United Methodist Church and to offer hope for love and service and continued ministry in Burundi.
Bishop Jungo, 59, was elected on the ninth ballot and noted that his goal was to promote unity in the church, developing institutions of higher learning and sustainability. He called for ratification of regionalization amendments passed by the General Conference last year.
Bishop Machinga, 61, was elected on the 12th ballot he called on both clergy and laity in Zimbabwe to journey with him as “we take The United Methodist Church to another level.”
Bishop Sambo, 53, was elected on the 14th ballot. He called for the church in Africa to be united and to continue to contextualize evangelism in the African culture and tradition.
After the consecration service, the new bishops were assigned to the following episcopal areas
- Bishop Sinzohagera to the Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area;
- Bishop Jungo to the East Angola Episcopal Area;
- Bishop Machinga to the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area;
- Bishop Sambo to the Mozambique Episcopal Area.
The gathering also marked the last session of the Africa Central Conference, which has been divided into the East Africa Central Conference and the Southern Africa Central Conference.
Bishop Daniel Wandabula was named as the president of the College of Bishops for East Africa Central Conference while Bishop Gaspar Domingos was named the president of the College of Bishops for the Southern Africa Central Conference.
excerpt from a story by Dr. Maidstone Mulenga, Director of Communications, Council of Bishops
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