District Superintendents

The Rev. Stephen Handy (center) sits with Tommas Bolton (left) and Kevin Haas during a community meal at McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. “We sit with them,” Handy said. “We want to know the names; we want to hear the stories.” Handy has been pastor at McKendree since 2009 and also supervises about 20 urban churches between Nashville and Memphis, encouraging them to get out in their neighborhoods. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Dare to take risks to move church forward, pastor says

The Rev. Stephen Handy envisions more United Methodist churches using the spare space in their buildings to build partnerships in their neighborhoods.

General Church

Bishop Gift K. Machinga (right) prepares to cut the ribbon at Mikundi Dairy Farm in Mikundi, Malawi, during his first visit to the country. Machinga says the church-run farm is a beacon of the income-generating projects he envisions for his episcopal area, which includes Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana. He is joined by the Rev. Daniel Mhone (center), superintendent of the Malawi Provisional Conference, Kephus Mtambo (left), the farm’s project coordinator, and community members. Photo by Francis Nkhoma, UM News.

Bishop’s visit signals new hope in Malawi

After years of legal turmoil in the country, Bishop Gift K. Machinga meets with church leaders to hear about challenges, create a roadmap for future.

General Church

On Aug. 15, Bishop Hee-soo Jung called a Zoom meeting for Korean American district superintendents and connectional ministers serving the boards and agencies of The United Methodist Church. They discussed the status and future of the Korean American United Methodist Church and the upcoming special gathering of the Association of the Korean American Methodists in October. Screengrab courtesy of Bishop Hee-soo Jung via Zoom by the Rev. Thomas Kim, UM News.

Korean American faith leaders discuss church future

The status and future of the Korean American United Methodist Church and the upcoming special gathering of the Association of Korean American Methodists were the main topics at an Aug. 15 Zoom meeting of Korean American faith leaders.

Local Church

African’s path from Islam to Christianity

Born into a Muslim world, Sierra Leone district superintendent recalls her difficult, often dangerous journey to God.

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