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United Methodist Birchenough Local Church in Birchenough, Zimbabwe, was planted in the early 1970s and the congregation worshipped under this muucha tree until a permanent sanctuary was completed in 2025. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Brick by brick, persistent pastor builds own church

After decades worshipping under a tree in Zimbabwe, United Methodist congregation gets permanent sanctuary constructed by local pastor and his family.

Editor's Picks

Faith Stories

The Rev. Mbayo Mwepu Maxime, a leader of evangelism in North Katanga, Congo, who helped translate the Bible into the regional native language, has died at the age of 70.

Pioneer of Bible translation in Congo remembered

The Rev. Mbayo Mwepu Maxime, a leader of evangelism in North Katanga who helped translate the Bible into the regional native language, has died at the age of 70.

General Conference

General Conference secretary steps away

The Rev. Aleze Fulbright said she feels called back to the local ministry context and plans on June 30 to conclude her role overseeing the organization of The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking assembly.

Global Health

Janat Twahirwa from Wiceceka distributes condoms to participants during a World AIDS Day event on Dec. 1 in the Mukamira Sector of Rwanda’s Nyabihu District. “Wiceceka” means “do not keep silent” in English. During the event, Twahirwa had a particular focus on providing condoms to peer educators, so that they can further share them with their peers as part of ongoing HIV prevention efforts. Photo by Samuel Iraguha Shema.

Church, Rwandan officials unite to fight AIDS

In a significant shift, United Methodists in Rwanda are working to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS in full public partnership with the East African country’s authorities.

Latest News

Human Rights

Know your rights when they’re under threat

Immigration

US pastors stand against federal crackdown

General Church

The Rev. Peter Mageto of Africa University speaks during a Jan. 24 webinar exploring the Wesleyan theology that undergirds the denomination’s vision to “love boldly.” He’s joined by Ashley Boggan (pictured clockwise), top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, who moderated the panel discussion; the Rev. Marian Royston of the North Alabama Conference; and the Rev. Erika Stalcup of Switzerland. It was the first in a series of three webinars ahead of the Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering in October. Screen shot courtesy of United Methodist Communications.

What does it mean for the church to love boldly?

Global Health

A mural depicting an immigrant woman opening her arms as a symbol of freedom and hope is displayed on the façade of one of the buildings that houses migrants at the government-run Irregular Migrant Assistance Center in Danlí, Honduras. The center includes a clinic supported by the United Methodist Committee on Relief and United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.

United Methodist clinic cares for migrants on difficult journey

Bishops

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., presides over a session of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Saenz, who leads the Horizon Texas Conference, is co-convener of the design team for this October’s Leadership Gathering. He and other organizers hope to engage all United Methodist in the gathering through a survey and through webinars scheduled January through March. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Bishops ask all to help shape church’s future

Faith Stories

Fictional characters including Superman and Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird” have been identified as Methodist over the years. A new novel, “The Deliverance of Barker McRae,” features a fictional character based on 19th-century Methodist circuit preacher Lorenzo Dow (pictured at right). Also pictured (from left) are actors Kirk Alyn, who played Superman in the 1940s, and Gregory Peck as Finch in the 1962 film “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Movie stills courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Dow photo courtesy of the “Encyclopedia of World Methodism.”

‘Crazy Lorenzo’ joins other fictional Methodists

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Local Church

The Rev. Lorenzo Dow was a circuit preacher known for his unkempt appearance and fiery sermons. 1856 engraving by Lossing-Barrit courtesy of Wikipedia.

Commentaries

The Rev. Christopher P. Momany. Photo by Kristen Schell.

Multimedia

Mission and Ministry

Filipino United Methodists living in the United Arab Emirates gather in Dubai for an annual meeting and celebration that included special choir performances and worship. Screenshot from video by the UAE Media Team.

Filipino United Methodists celebrate mission in Middle East

Philippines Regional Conference bishops join church members working abroad in the United Arab Emirates for a time of fellowship and spiritual renewal.

Mission and Ministry