Gathering theme: “Christians of Mozambique Southeast, let us strengthen ourselves spiritually to build an unshakeable church.” Zachariah 4:6
Officiating bishop: Bishop João Filimone Sambo
Guest speakers:
- Rev. Aida Bartolomeu, chaplain
- Franscisco Manuel Pagula, governor of Inhambane Province
- Roberto Francisco Zunguze, mayor of Massinga
Highlights of the episcopal message:
- Overcoming challenges in class meetings and at local church, pastoral charge, district and annual conference levels;
- Enhancing new leadership for mission and action;
- Training more quality disciples of Jesus Christ, empowered to courageously lead communities and the people of God;
- Practicing John Wesley’s principles: do no harm, practice good stewardship and praise the Lord;
- Being gracious, strengthening each other with humanism, elegance and dignity, with constructive ideas to edify the church of God.
Main actions enacted by the conference:
- New internal church-to-church partnerships were established for prayers and financial support to enhance church growth.
- Children of deceased clergy should be first priority to be granted scholarships.
- Placement of plaques in church properties (chapels, wells and other projects), as strategy for evangelization.
- Conducting mass evangelism campaigns and personal evangelism aimed at gaining 30 souls per year in each district.
- Establishment of new communities, especially in areas of expansion (at least one community per district).
- The appointment of chaplains for Methodist Church schools was approved.
- Resolution 01/12/2012 on the closure of conferences on Saturdays was revoked, moving them to Sundays.
- That pastors in pastoral charges do not take their vacations in the month of December, starting in 2025.
- The Board of Ordained Ministry should create a committee to review the procedures/rituals and standardize them, focusing on transitioning aspects of members from one organization to another.
- The education department, in coordination with the United Methodist women’s organization, promote ongoing training for teachers/monitors of the Sunday School group in various subjects, including pedagogy, for better teaching and education of children spiritually.
- The education department should produce guidance materials for pastors to enable better training of candidates for theology course and monitoring their skills and behavior during the two approved years by the annual conference.
- The Giletene Methodist Secondary School Library is to be named after Chris Abel in honor of the partner who is supporting it.
New initiatives planned:
- Continuing projects to sustain churches and communities;
- New church-starts from local churches;
- Build decent chapels and parsonages in growth areas;
- Care for vulnerable and orphan children and elderly people.
Did the conference take any action related to the recent General Conference?
- Yes. Voting session for the constitutional amendments approved by the 2024 General Conference, including regionalization.
What budget did the conference pass and how did it change from last year?
- Budget approval for the year 2026, in the amount of 14.843.383,26Mt.
Other resolutions adopted by the conference:
- Pastor’s salary readjustments depending on level of education and isolation;
- Continuous education to clergy and laity;
- The next venue for the conference session will be at Chicuque UMC Mission Station.
Five clergy ordained itinerating elders; average age 35:
- Anita Paulino Nunguiane
- Manuela Omar Mutemua
- Tomás Castro Rochete Filipe
- Regina Sebastião Almeida
- Palmira Armando Ficazolo
Three clergy ordained itinerating deacons; average age 30:
- Gervância Santos Chauque
- Samuel Julião Nhamirre
- Nito Luís Cipriano.
Three clergy retired:
- Romão Marrapuxane Macamo
- Tomas Alfredo Nhacudime
- Geraldo Nataniel
Membership stands at 57,450 people.
- Compiled by Ezequiel Marcos Nhantumbo, UM News/UMCom Africa Lusophone correspondent based in Maputo.