Young Adults

Teens clap and sing during one of two UNITE youth retreats sponsored by the Missouri Conference in July 2025 at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. United Methodist conferences in the U.S. are seeing growth at annual youth retreats after years of slowdown following the COVID pandemic. File photo by Schaefer Photography.

Conference youth retreats make comeback

Promoting youth involvement in leadership and maintaining yearlong connections beyond the United Methodist events have been keys to success.

Theology and Education

Graduates celebrate their achievements during Africa University’s 32nd commencement ceremony on June 6 in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Members of the class of 2026 hailed from 21 African countries and more than 10% received first-class degrees, the highest academic honor. Photo courtesy of the Africa University Public Affairs Office.

698 students graduate from Africa University

The United Methodist university’s 32nd commencement celebrated students from 21 countries and the first graduates from its online Global Campus.

Mission and Ministry

Students at The United Methodist Church’s Hanwa Mission Secondary School in Hanwa, Zimbabwe, gather around a guava tree they planted at the school. The tree-planting initiative, funded by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, promotes creation care and practical learning. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Planting hope: Mission school journeys toward climate justice

A United Methodist tree-planting initiative in Zimbabwe is providing a living classroom for students while strengthening environmental awareness.

Theology and Education

The Rev. Young Seon Christina Kim, a United Methodist missionary with Global Ministries and founder of Global Mission Secondary School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, addresses parents and guests at the school’s second graduation ceremony in November. Kim emphasized that the school is a Christian community where mentoring and service shape students’ character, preparing them to become the next generation of leaders in Tanzania. Photo by Asaph Sungura Ally, UM News.

Secondary school transforms lives in Tanzania

Its goal is to develop disciples of Jesus who are academically strong, rooted in faith, socially responsible and ready to serve beyond Tanzania’s borders.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now