Key Points:
- Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella, Manila Episcopal Area, preached during May 2 morning worship at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C.
- The service also marked the commissioning of 16 Global Ministries missionaries.
- “General Conference is an inspiring occasion for blessing and sending new missionaries because it represents the global reach of our global witness,” said Roland Fernandes, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and UMCOR.
As the General Conference neared its final day, Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella of the Manila Episcopal Area urged the top legislative body to continue to move The United Methodist Church forward and transform the world.
“Get out of the silos we have created and break down the walls we have built,” she said. “Put behind the false narratives and the lies that have trapped us into hurtful debates and theological discourses.
“Take hold of the new things that God is doing in our lives and in the continuing herstory of the church. Let us continue the spiritual movement by the power of the Holy Spirit witnessing to the risen Christ to this broken world.”
The bishop challenged the body to “leave behind all our doubts and fears and shake off the self-limiting attitudes and the labels that we have attached to one another.”
The May 2 morning worship also marked the commissioning of 16 Global Ministries missionaries. Twenty-two missionaries were trained for service to attend this commissioning, but six were unable to obtain a visa for travel to the U.S. They will be commissioned at a later time.
Karen Lissa Goodwin, Methodist Church in Brazil, serves as the vice general director of the School for Methodist Mission in Angola. She said the commissioning is significant.
“It is hard to express,” she said. “God has called me, and he will be with me, and I have all The United Methodist Church with me. I will not be alone in this mission. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for accepting my service. I am blessed.”
Sarah Mae Gabuyo, Wisconsin Conference, will serve as pastor of an English-speaking church for the Methodist Church in Rome, Italy.
“This is very important for me,” Gabuyo said. “I am a fourth-generation United Methodist from the Philippines. I am a Methodist because of the first mission that came in the Philippines. When I answered the call to the ministry, I felt like (it was) a circle of being with God and with Christ.”
“Being commissioned by Bishop Estrella is really wonderful,” she said. She encouraged her colleagues to “continue to move forward, make new connections, serve and bring Christ to the world.”
“General Conference is an inspiring occasion for blessing and sending new missionaries because it represents the global reach of our global witness," said Roland Fernandes, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Committee on Relief.
The Rev. Judy Y. Chung, executive director of missionary service at Global Ministries, said that despite the enormous challenges of being in mission, “hope is the steadfast anchor of the soul.”
The Rev. Elmer Borromeo, clergy delegate, Philippines Cavite, called the message a timely reminder to go forward amid struggles in churches worldwide.
“Stay connected to our roots,” he said. “Remain faithful to Jesus by offering his unconditional love to all people.”
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He told the delegates to roll up their sleeves and start the work, using the gifts and graces entrusted by God. “Set aside vested interests and exercise the stewardship of power in annual conferences and local churches,” Borromeo added.
The Rev. Nomer Lasco, clergy delegate, South Nueva Ecija, Philippines, said he heard “a strong message for the whole United Methodist Church to keep moving forward to proclaim the good news of salvation in the midst of different views our church is now encountering.”
“Never bring any baggage of hatred and lies,” he added. “Stop arguing and focus your hearts, minds and energy in fulfilling the Great Commission.”
Marilyn Reid, Ronald United Methodist Church, Seattle, Washington, volunteers as a General Conference marshal.
“We are the hands, feet and hearts of Jesus,” she said. “The Holy Spirit will be with us all as we share the Gospel to the people.”
“What a powerful reminder of our being Wesleyan,” said Bishop Israel Painit, Davao Area, Philippines. “Part of our DNA is to bring the gospel to all, regardless of color, gender and status in life. Our present situation pushes us to go and bring the message of hope and assurance that God will not abandon us.
“We should not be shaken in bringing the love of God and carrying it out with mercy and compassion for the lost, least and last.”
In her sermon, Estrella mentioned that Jesus’ disciples had doubts.
“When the disciples saw Jesus for the last time in Galilee,” she said, “they worshipped him, but some doubted. Even when Jesus appeared to them after his Resurrection, the disciples were still fearful and doubtful about the future.”
Similarly, Estrella continued, “many of us are anxious about what will happen to our beloved church.”
She said that when the disciples doubted, they simply wanted to know what would happen next. In their limited understanding of the risen Christ, they were unaware of the whole redemption story.
Estrella emphasized, “Know that I am God, the mighty God, wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace. Do not be afraid; do not doubt. I am sending you to go and make disciples of all nations!
“Following the witness of the early Christians who went through sufferings and persecution as they followed Jesus,” she added, “the Methodists keep proclaiming the unconditional love of God to all people, regardless of their economic status, gender and race.”
She reminded the missionaries to tell others boldly and courageously about Jesus, serve the poor, visit those in prison, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and establish homes for orphans and others torn by oppressive systems and injustice.
Quoting Luke 4:18-19, Estrella noted that the missionary movement continues in United Methodist churches around the world, amid controversies, conflicts, schisms and disaffiliations.
“The spirit of Christ is upon us,” she said, “even when we are hurting and sorely wounded in the process. We find healing as we go about the mission entrusted to us: to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
General Conference photos
As the bishop commissioned the missionaries, she said, “Wherever you are sent, beloved missionaries, Christ goes with you. No matter what the future holds, let us remain confident that this church, the Body of Christ, will overcome even the fiercest storm with God at the helm of this denomination. Know that the God whom we serve is the God who loves unconditionally, whose grace and compassion reaches out to all kinds of people.”
“The world is waiting for us,” said the Rev. Benita Rollins, clergy delegate from East Ohio. “Love will set us free.”
The Rev. Nixon Estioco, clergy delegate from Central Luzon Philippines, said, “May we all be moved by the transforming love of God that we may become instruments in changing the world.”
God calls every United Methodist to obey the Great Commission, said Bishop Rodolfo Juan, retired bishop of the Philippines Central Conference.
“May the UMC in the Philippines and worldwide continue intentionally to move forward to share the gospel of salvation and the love of Christ to those who are in need of total transformation,” he said.
Bishop Rodel M. Acdal of the Baguio Area said, "The sermon is a message of empowerment. Amid fears and doubts and even anxieties, Jesus' resurrection has granted us peace. For whatever is ahead of us, let us anchor on faith and hope."
Estrella ended with Filipino song lyrics written by Arnel de Pano, lay delegate from Philippines East: “The Lord is upon us to liberate the oppressed, be passionate with those who need God the most, go even in the fiercest, salvation is the desire, from much conflict and pain, love is our gain, transform the world and start here and now.”
Mangiduyos is a UM News correspondent based in the Philippines. News media contact: Julie Dwyer, Nashville, Tennessee, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org.
