United Methodist Church in Nigeria Episcopal Area Installs Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel

The United Methodist Church in Nigeria Episcopal Area has formally issued a Pastoral Staff of Office to Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, officially installing him as the substantive Bishop of the region. The installation ceremony took place during the First International Annual Conference Sessions held in Jalingo.

In his acceptance speech, Bishop Emmanuel emphasized the importance of unity and progress in spreading the Gospel. He expressed his unwavering commitment to uniting the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, highlighting that bridging the divisions within the church would be a key focus of his leadership.

During his sermon, Dr. James Boye Caulker, Bishop of Sierra Leone, drew inspiration from the book of Isaiah, chapter 43, verses 18-19. He reminded the congregation that success in life is often accompanied by difficulties and challenges.

 Bishop Caulker urged the faithful to look forward, not backward, emphasizing that relying on past experiences could prevent individuals from fulfilling their true destinies.

He encouraged the congregation to place their trust in the will of God, citing the Israelites' passage through the Red Sea as an example of God's favor and victory. The Bishop also proclaimed that Bishop Emmanuel's appointment signifies a new beginning, filled with the hope and renewal of God's presence for the church.

Bishop Caulker urged the congregation to seek God's renewal in their lives, as this would enable them to witness significant transformation and blessings from God.

Earlier in the day, during an ordination service, Bishop Emmanuel performed the sacred rite, urging the newly ordained candidates to remain steadfast in their duties in the service of the Church. He reminded the candidates that they had undergone rigorous processes of authentication before being formally presented for ordination.

The Conference sessions concluded with several important resolutions, including a reaffirmation of the United Methodist Church's Social Principles, which assert that marriage is between a man and a woman in accordance with the teachings of the Church in West Africa.

The Conference also called on the Taraba state government and religious groups to address the ongoing issue of the closure of places of worship, which has caused significant emotional and physical hardship for its members. Additionally, the conference appealed to the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to take action to reduce youth unemployment and address the growing issue of insecurity in the country.