192nd Session, LAC/UMC Episcopal Address – Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr.

Feb 13, 2025 | Press Release

GREETING/INTRODUCTION

Mother Richlain N.K. Quire, My Darling Wife & Partner in Ministry

Retired Bishop & Mother Arthur Flomo Kulah, Bishop Emeritus

Bishop Ande Ikimun Emmanuel, Resident Bishop, Nigeria Episcopal Area

Bishop James Boye-Caulker, Resident Bishop, Sierra Leone Episcopal Area

Dean & Members of the Cabinet

Our Partners in Ministry

Visiting Bishops

Local & International Guests

Government Officials here Present/Members of the Legislature

The Liberia Council of Churches & Other Faith Communities

Conference Officials

Ministerial & Lay Members

Observers, Brothers & Sisters in the Faith:

Let me quote the Apostle Paul as he addressed the Church in Corinth in his second Letter to them:

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power

is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not

crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed.” (II Corinthians 4:7-9- NIV).

Indeed, we have been struck down, but we are not destroyed because God has been on our side, and that the battle is not ours, but God’s.

Let me also quote this old Afro-American Hymn titled, “We Shall Overcome”.

  1. We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome some day!

Oh, deep in my heart I do believe we shall overcome someday!

  • We’ll walk hand in hand, we’ll walk hand in hand, we’ll walk hand in hand some day!

Oh, deep in my heart I do believe we will walk hand in hand someday!

  • We shall live in peace, we shall live in peace, we shall live in peace some day!

Oh, deep in my heart I do believe we shall live in peace someday!

  • The Lord will see us through, the Lord will see us through, the Lord will see us through some day! Oh, deep in my heart I do believe the Lord will see us through some day!

Amen.

My Fellow United Methodists, I’m indeed convinced that the storm will soon be over in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  Let it be known to all that God has been good to us, even in the midst of our crisis.  God’s grace, my friends, is sufficient for us day by day, moment by moment as we go through these challenging times in the history of our Church.

I am delighted, and especially overwhelmed as Bishop of the Liberia Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church to highlight major developments and current state of affairs of our beloved church for the past conference year which was characterized by many challenges and storms which we encountered in the midst of our ministry. But thanks be to God that we’ve made it in Jesus ‘name.

PROSPECTS IN THE MIDST OF CHALLENGES

My Fellow United Methodists, and the Christian Community; while we faced the future unafraid with serious challenges and major storms in the midst of our ministry, the doors of our churches were opened to worshipers. The undiluted Word of God was proclaimed, converts made, baptism/confirmation, all as parts of the worship experience were exercised. Districts and Circuits held their respective charge, as well as district conferences as scheduled.  We praise God for God’s guidance in the midst of faults and failures.

MINISTRIES WITHIN THE CHURCH

The Ministries with Men, Women, Young Adult, Youth, Children, the Ageing, Evangelism, as well as other ministries within The United Methodist Church are all functional despite our crisis. We also commend the Departments of Communications, Education and other departments for the job well done. We praise God for the leaders of these ministries/departments for enduring the challenges, and for keeping on.  Details will emerge in the Connectional Ministries’ Report.

However, we would like to inform you that the leadership of the Conference Young Adult Fellowship and the Conference Women have been anti-United Methodism and anti-administration.

VISITATION

  1. Local Travels

While the storms of life are raging, we continue to pay visits to our Episcopal Area.  We visited many of our districts/circuit during the conference year under review.  Areas visited include, but not limited to include: Jorquelleh, Gbarnga, Lofa River, Weala and Kokoyah Districts.

We also visited the Conference Youth and Young Adult Assemblies, respectively.  The Youth had their conference with the Gbarnga District, with the Suakoko UMC serving as the venue.  The Youth were well behaved as I closed their Annual Gathering.   

Unfortunately, and regrettably, our Young Adult Fellowship behaved very unruly and disrespectful to my person.  They refused to have their closing service at the Kuoo Henry United Methodist Church of the Kokoyah District Conference, a venue they chose for their gathering, but instead went to the First United Methodist Church of the Jorquelleh District.  The reason for their unruly behavior was because I was accompanied by few security personnel of the Liberia National Police.  Given this gross disrespect to me, I have suspended with immediate effect the entire leadership of the Conference Young Adult Fellowship until otherwise ordered.

Howbeit, we managed to have reached the rest of our districts/circuits via mobile phones. Let me commend our District Superintendents for serving God under extreme difficulties. May God make a way for them where there is no way in Jesus name.

  • International Travels

As part of our responsibilities, we traveled upon invitation to the region and the United States as stated below:

  1. From April 9 – 15, 2024, by the grace of God your humble servant attended the Council of Bishops Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
  1. From April 16-May 3, 2024    –   THE GENERAL CONFERENCE – 2020/2024

Through the grace of God, we attended and participated in the 2020 postponed General Conference from April 23- May 3, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the United States of America. I’m indeed grateful to bring you highlights from this Great Gathering of The United Methodist Church.

The General Conference is the Legislative Assembly of The United Methodist Church and it is the only body of our denomination that speaks officially for the whole church. You have heard a lot of messages being shared on social and secular media about human sexuality in The United Methodist Church.  Some of those messages are misleading and very derogatory.

However, instead of speaking about all these misleading pieces of information being filtering in the air about our beloved United Methodist Church, I will focus on three major decisions of the General Conference about which there is much discussion and misinformation: homosexuality, disaffiliation and regionalization.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE GENERAL CONFERENCE?

My Fellow United Methodists, I am again obliged to inform you about what transpired at the General Conference from April 23-May 3, 2024, held in Charlotte, North Carolina, the United States of America. 

The General Conference voted to remove language in the United Methodist Book of Discipline prohibiting marriage and ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals in The United Methodist Church effective upon the close of the General Conference on May 3, 2024.

Second, the General Conference voted to remove paragraph 2553, which has to do with disaffiliation (a paragraph created in 2019, after the Special General Conference Session, to allow churches in the United States to leave The United Methodist Church), and thirdly, the General Conference approved a plan of Regionalization for The United Methodist Church which will take effect upon ratification by the annual conferences of The United Methodist Church.

These three decisions of the General Conference have caused a lot of confusion and misleading messages about what will happen in our Church.   Let me clearly state what these decisions mean and how they may affect The United Methodist Church in Liberia.

WHAT THESE DECISIONS MEAN FOR THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN LIBERIA?

First, let me address the decision removing prohibitive language against marriage and ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals in The United Methodist Church. In the year 1968, the Methodist Episcopal Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form The United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, the United States of America. Four years later, at the first United Methodist General Conference, a proposal to prohibit homosexual marriage and ordination was approved and placed in the Book of Discipline. Over the years since the 1972 General Conference, United Methodists have debated this restriction with increasing intensity. At the same time, our churches in Africa have held to the conviction that we do not support homosexual marriage and ordination. In 2016, the General Conference authorized and the Council of Bishops appointed a Commission on the Way Forward with mandate to bring a plan to a special General Conference in 2019 to determine how our worldwide United Methodist Church should move forward and focus on the primary mission of the Church which is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The Commission recommended the One Church Plan which would have allowed traditionalists and progressives to live together in one church where churches would remove the restrictions while allowing regional flexibility on our differences on homosexual marriage and ordination.  This plan did not get approve.  Instead, the General Conference decided to maintain its position prohibiting marriage and ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals.  That decision created more tensions and in-fighting among United Methodists, especially in the United States of America.

Interestingly, with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the 2020 General Conference was postponed and did not meet until 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to the 2024 General Conference, traditionalists United Methodists primarily in the United States created the Global Methodist Church and began to campaign against The United Methodist Church. The campaign was extended to Africa with a goal of recruiting United Methodist Churches in Africa to join the Global Methodist Church. This Church did not have votes in the 2024 United Methodist General Conference.  So, the 2024 General Conference met and made its decisions.

Additionally, the removal of restrictions on marriage and ordination for self-avowed, practicing homosexuals means “that those Conferences that wish to marry and/or ordain self-avowed, practicing homosexuals can do so.  It also means that those of us in Africa, and especially for us in Liberia are free not to allow such marriage and/or ordination for self-avowed, practicing homosexuals. In fact, the 2024 General Conference also approved to allow every pastor of The United Methodist Church to be free not to perform homosexual marriages if the pastor so chooses.

Secondly, the General Conference voted to remove paragraph 2553, which was inserted in the 2016 Book of Discipline, following the conclusion of the Special Session of the General Conference. This paragraph was created to allow local churches and annual conferences to leave the Denomination, under the assumption that General Conference would have been held in 2020. This paragraph was limited to the churches in the United States of America, excluding the Central Conferences (Conferences outside of the United States).

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic struck the whole world, and the 2020 General Conference was postponed twice until it was finally held in 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the United States of America. A petition to bring disaffiliation on the floor was sponsored by some of our delegates from the Liberia Episcopal Area; unfortunately, it was defeated on the floor, hence, the paragraph on disaffiliation was closed. This means that the door is closed for those United Methodist Annual Conferences who want to leave the United Methodist Church.

Thirdly, let me address the approval of regionalization. Regionalization seeks to amend the structure of the church. The structure of the church has been deeply American “Centric”. Regionalization is empowering churches, Annual conferences across the world to make ministry and missional decisions appropriate for their context in order to be more relevant and effective. Since the contextual realities of Africa are different from those of America, Europe and Asia, African Conferences will decide what is needed to advance the disciple-making mission of the United Methodist Church in Africa. This means that Liberia will not tell those in America, Europe and Asia how to do their work in those countries.

According to summaries of regionalization sent by Linda B. Tate, Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary of the Council of Bishops, World-wide “Regionalization” will change the name of each current Central Conference into “Regional Conference”; it will transform the General Conference. Its agenda will no longer be dominated by United States topics. The Church in the United States will have their own regional conference in which they will deal with these matters.

My Fellow United Methodists, for too long, the more powerful parts of the church have imposed their will upon the less powerful, especially for us in Africa. Regionalization will enable the UMC in Liberia to focus on its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, and not to be distracted by debates over who wants to marry who.

Furthermore, regionalization is a vehicle that will enable The United Methodist Church in Liberia to make and enforce relevant policies to guide and direct our missional priorities going forward. Regionalization, because it amends the church’s constitution, must be ratified by the annual conferences before going into effect. Once the plan is ratified across all annual conferences around the world, the Council of Bishops will announce the results and the plan will go into effect.

  1. AFRICA COLLEGES OF BISHOPS MEETING

From September 4-9, 2024, we traveled to Mutare, Zimbabwe for the Colleges of African Bishops’ Meeting. At the end of this gathering, a statement of the Africa Colleges of Bishops was issued thus:

“We, the bishops of The United Methodist Church (UMC) in Africa, make the following statement to our brothers and sisters in Africa and the UMC as a whole”.

  1. We support the decision of the 2020/2024 General Conference to approve the Worldwide Regionalization of the Church, which allows Africa and other areas of the Church to make decisions that will best support outreach and ministry efforts in our own specific setting. Regionalization will allow us to draft and publish our own regional Book of Discipline, hymnals, book of worship and other liturgical resources. Regionalization will allow setting requirements for ordination and licensed ministry with respect to our needs and resources and set standards for lay membership. Regionalization will allow us to develop practices around marriage ceremonies, funerals and other rites that align with our cultural contexts and laws in each of our countries in Africa. We, therefore, urge our annual conferences to support Regionalization and ratify the constitutional amendments related to Regionalization.
  • We call for continued education on Regionalization from our context and as related to our needs and resources. That is why we urge our own people to be key players in conducting the training and providing resources in our languages and perspectives.
  • We will remain in The United Methodist Church and we urge our members to join us in our stance in staying in The United Methodist Church and will continue to be shepherds of God’s flock in this worldwide denomination. We will continue to do ministry in our context in Africa.
  • We condemn those who are working for the Global Methodist Church while claiming to be members of The United Methodist Church and we urge them to withdraw from The United Methodist Church (UMC).  We call upon them to go in peace and do it respectfully. Our polity does not allow a person to be a member of two denominations. Therefore, we will take disciplinary action on those working against the interests of the UMC. This means but is not limited to being disloyal to the UMC or undermining the ministry of the Church and its leaders.
  • We also castigate those who come from outside Africa to coerce and harass members of our churches. We chastise groups such as Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA), its related organizations and its Africa Now Initiative for providing misinformation about the UMC. We do not consider WCA as a forum of the UMC in Africa.
  • We continue to pray for peaceful episcopal elections and smooth transition in the following episcopal areas: East Angola, East Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Congo, Zimbabwe, and the new episcopal areas in Burundi and Congo.
  • Our God of hope is giving us nine bishops to be elected in Africa in the next few months. We are urging that the nine bishops that will be elected and the continuing bishops to be strong leaders who will stay in The United Methodist Church.
  • We call upon The United Methodist Church in Africa to move forward and focus on the ministry of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We have a mission field which is rich for evangelism. (Matthew 28: 18-20)

The document was approved on the 5th day of September 2024 by bishops who were in attendance during the meeting at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Eleven African Bishops, including your humble servant, representing the Africa Colleges of Bishops signed this document.

The three United Methodist Church Colleges of Bishops in Africa who make up the Africa Colleges of Bishops are: Africa Central Conference College of Bishops, Congo Central Conference College of Bishops and West Africa College of Bishops. (BOD par.540.3a, c, g, 2016).

  1. WEST AFRICA CENTRAL COLLEGE OF BISHOPS MEETING (DEC. 5 – 8, 2024)

On December 3rd, 2024, we departed for Accra, Ghana, for the gathering of the 18th Annual Session of the West Africa Central Conference.

During this session, two new Bishops were elected: Bishop James Boye-Caulker for the Sierra Leone Episcopal Area; and Bishop Ande Ikimun Emmanuel, for the Nigeria Episcopal Area.  Both candidates were elected on the first ballots.   Furthermore, your humble servant was elected as President of the West Africa College of Bishops, whereas, Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel of Nigeria was elected as the Secretary.

Additionally, the 18th Session of the West Africa Central Conference resolved on the definition of marriage thus:

  1. “We affirm marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith, an adult man and woman of consenting age.”
  2. The West Africa Central Conference also endorsed the World-wide Regionalization Plan of The United Methodist Church.

Permit me now to present to you our two newly elected and consecrated Bishops of the West Africa Central College of Bishops: Bishop James Boye-Caulker, Bishop of the Sierra Annual Conference, and Bishop Ande Ikimun Emmanuel, Bishop of the Nigeria Annual Conference, respectively, with your humble servant as the President.

At this conference, delegates resolved to go back to the biblical definition of marriage – that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, according to Genesis 2:18-24. No more, no less! This information was sent to the Council of Bishops of the Global United Methodist Church in the United States of America following the end of this conference.

HOW WILL THE UMC IN LIBERIA BE OPERATED?

Let it be known to All United Methodists that whether Regionalization is ratified or not, the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church will not conduct any weddings or ordinations of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals.  The Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is traditional in its interpretation of the Holy Scripture—The Scriptures that contain both The Old and New Testaments, and will continue its evangelistic outreach to all persons who live in darkness and do not know the redemptive grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  We will continue to extend scriptural holiness to all persons by the amazing grace of God!

The United Methodist Church in Liberia will continue to abide by the beckoning summons of our Lord Jesus Christ when He says; “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”.  Our mission is to “make disciples of all nations; to baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and to teach them to obey all that [God] has commanded us”!  We strongly caution all clergy members, as well as lay persons of the Liberia Annual Conference, The United Methodist Church, to refrain from undermining the ministry of The United Methodist Church.  Undermining the ministry of the Church or the ministry of other clergy is a chargeable offense that is being enforced for the sake of maintaining the Order of the Church.

To all United Methodists in Liberia, the Christian and religious community, and our Liberian public, The United Methodist Church is NOT A GAY CHURCH!  It is a strong Church of God administering to sinners who are in need of the saving knowledge and grace of God!  It is a worldwide denomination that is making a significant impact on our world!

While it is true that there are differences of opinion and conviction across our denomination, but the mission remains the same because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (St. John 3:16 RSV).

REMINDER

Let me remind you, my fellow United Methodists, that at the close of the 187th Session of our Annual Conference held in Gompa City, Nimba County- from February 10-16, 2020, the Conference resolved thus:

We, the Members of the Liberia Annual Conference accredited to the 187th Session of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, convening with the St. Paul River District as Prime Host, and Co-hosted by Rivercess District, Morweh District, St. St. John River District, and Grand Bassa District, with Miller McAllister United Methodist Church as venue,

Gompa City, Nimba County under the theme and text “A Future With Hope”- Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 5:1-6, having read and assessed various reports submitted by all reporting officers, so hereby adopt resolution no. 001/LAC/UMC/Gompa City, Nimba County; February 16-20, 2020, as follow to wit:

Concerning the proposed protocol of reconciliation and grace through separation as proffered by sixteen (16) outstanding and influential members of The United Methodist Church, members of the 187th Annual Session of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church by a vote of 725 members in favor, zero against, and one member abstained, on this 14th day of February 2020 in the city of Gompa, Nimba County, Republic of Liberia here endorsed and affirmed the following:

  • That the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church maintains its stance on the teaching of marriage consistent with the Holy Bible and the traditional understanding and practice of the Christian Church for more than 2000 years, and our current Book of Discipline (2016).
  • That marriage is defined as a sacred relationship between one man and one woman, not between any two consenting adults (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:1-6; I Timothy 3:2; Ephesians 5:22-30).
  • That, while we affirm “All persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God,” and that “All persons need the ministry of the church”, we do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider it incompatible with Christian teaching; including but not limited to “Being a self-avowed, practicing homosexual; or conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies” (Paragraph 2702.1b)

That consistent with the authentic teaching of the Holy Scriptures, our primary authority for faith and Christian living (Psalm 19:7-11; 119:11; 105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17),

  • We do not condone the ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals or persons in same-sex relationships for Christian ministry (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-25; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:24-27; I Corinthians 6:9-11).
  • That the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church ascribes to the biblical and traditional understanding and teachings of the Christian Church in our theology, polity, requirements for Ordination and Christian living (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Peter 1;20-21; I Timothy 3:1-13).

II. Maintaining the name “United Methodist”, the Cross and Flame

  • Whereas, the name “United Methodist” for us in Africa has indelible history and legacy, and has become an attractive, redemptive and Christian Service oriented name holistically throughout the continental connection of the UMC;
  • Whereas, the insignia of the UMC (Cross & Flame) bears great spiritual impact on our evangelism, mission, witness and service throughout Africa and the world.
  • Whereas, our emblem of a cross and a dual flame reminds us of who we are in Jesus Christ; how we are connected to God through Christ (the Cross), and the holy Spirit (the flame);

And, whereas, the flame also reminds us of the birth of the Christian church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3), and of the historic conversion experience and transformation of our founder, John Wesley on Aldersgate Street in London, England; on 24th May 1738 when he felt his “heart strangely warmed”.

  • Therefore, the name “United Methodist Church” as well as the logo (flame & cross) shall be retained by the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, and The United Methodist Church in all the Central Conferences of Africa, with appropriate modifications. (A Resolution reflecting the views and position of almost all UMC across Africa).

This is precisely why we want this 192nd Session to ratify the Regionalization Plan posited by the General Conference!

CRISIS IN THE CHURCH

Our visiting bishops, clergy members and lay members of this 192nd Session of The United Methodist Church, Liberia Annual Conference, life in the Church since the close of the General Conference in May 2024 has not been easy.  Some of our pastors and lay members have been fomenting tension in some of our churches across the Liberia Annual Conference.  When some members and pastors heard the news that the General Conference had voted to remove the harmful language in our Book of Discipline of 2016, our whole environment in the United Methodist Church went amok.  Some of our pastors were preaching the members out of the local churches urging them to leave the church because they claimed that our own United Methodist Church was now a GAY Church.  While your humble servant was still in the air returning home from the General Conference, some pastors organized some of their young people to protest against the decision of the General Conference.  Some of the protesters were chanting: “No to same sex marriage”; “Bishop Quire, carry the people money back”, etc.

On Friday, June 7th, your humble servant called the District Superintendents to Monrovia and held a meeting with his Cabinet Members.  Another protest was staged by some of the young people of our Church who waved placards and calling the Bishop to have a Special Session of the Annual Conference.  After the intervention of Retired Bishop Arthur F. Kulah for the young people to go into the edifice of the Stephen Trowen Nagbe UMC, the group was calmed down when various speakers including Retired Bishop Kulah, the Conference Layleader, Cllr Dr. Tolbert G. Nyeswah and your humble servant spoke to them, they dispersed and left the edifice.  However, at the end of the day, your humble servant and his Cabinet tendered a major press statement focusing on the events of General Conference.  This Press Statement has been captured in this Address for emphasis.

Unfortunately, some of the ministers, to include the Chairman and Members of the Board of Ordained Ministry, Rev. Dr. George D. Wilson, Jr., the District Superintendent of the Monrovia District, Rev. Dr. Julius Y. Z. K. Williams, the Lay Leader of the St. Paul River District, Bro. L. Orlando Boyce, I and others started a campaign of misinformation, disinformation and other denigrating behaviors just to undermine the ministry of the Bishop and to denigrate The United Methodist Church.

Consequently, your humble servant effected some suspension of pastors and others to restore order in the Church.  Those who are currently under suspension are but not limited to:

  1. Rev. Dr. George D. Wilson, Jr.
  2. Rev. Dr. Julius Y. Z. K. Williams
  3. Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah
  4. Rev. Kenneth C. Jackson
  5. Rev. Jerry N. Kandea
  6. Rev. Peter Sayequee
  7. Rev. Elijah Darjue
  8. Rev. Leo Mason
  9. Rev. Eudora Barnes
  10. Rev. Allen Paye
  11. Pastor Yah Gorgboyee
  12. Others as the Interim Board of Ordained Ministry tenders its report.

CHURCH/STATE RELATIONSHIP

The Church is called to pray for those at the helm of leadership, while the Bible enjoins us to give reverence to the governing authorities in the nation.  This, I believe, we have been doing. Ours is to pray and leave the rest with God who has the transforming power and renewing of the minds and heart of leaders.

For the period under review, the Church continued to conduct its affairs freely consistent with our belief, practice, and tradition.  We commend the Government of Liberia for this cordial relationship that is existing between it and the Church.   May the name of the Lord be praised!   Amen!

INTERVENTION

It is important to make mention that during the heat of our ongoing crisis, where there were attacks and counter attacks, claims and counter claims amongst clergy and lay persons of our church, the Inspector General (IG) of the Liberia National Police, Col. Gregory Coleman, called the church to a meeting for the purpose of finding a common ground through dialogue with all major players.  This meeting lasted for more than four hours at the Headquarters of the Liberia National Police.

At the conclusion of the meeting, he appealed to your humble servant to lift the suspension off from the pastors, but your humble servant felt that these affected ministers did not show any remorse for what they did and they continued spreading misinformation and disinformation about your humble servant.  Hence, their suspensions were not lifted.

In the same vein, the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Hon. Jeremiah K. Koung, invited your humble servant and some members of the Interim Board of Ordained Ministry to include some officials of the Church to his office in order to ascertain the facts into the situation at hand.  The meeting also lasted for two hours and the Vice President suggested a continuation of the conversation.  Additionally, the Leadership of the Church of Liberia, Archbishop Isaac Winker, intervened and requested your humble servant to lift the suspension; moreover, the Liberia Council of Churches encouraged your humble servant to call a meeting with these pastors, however, all these requests were not heeded to because your humble servant still felt the pastors involved did not recognize our authority and still behaving as if they were not pastors under appointment.  Those pastors who were influenced by the likes of Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah, Rev. Dr. J. Sawolo Nelson, Jr., Rev. Dr. George D. Wilson, Jr., Bro. Orlando Boyce, I, and others, continuously carried out their propaganda warfare!  They took to the airwaves, facebook, podcasts, networking from district to district.  As a result of these activities, your humble servant was humiliated and chased away from the Miller McAllister Memorial United Methodist Church, Ganta City, Nimba County, on June 29, 2024.  This incident provided other actions from some churches where these suspended pastors presided over.  Consequently, your humble servant set up a task force to counter all of these attacks on the Church.

THE TASK FORCE

 When the situation of spreading misleading information and disinformation concerning The United Methodist Church intensified, your humble servant set up a Task Force under the Leadership of Rev. Caleb G. Dormah, the Director of the At-Risk Young People Program and Rev. Nelly W. Wright, Senior Pastor of the Blacktom Memorial United Methodist Church.  Other members of the Task Force were Bro. Jefferson B. Knight, Jeremiah Swen et all (see list).

Through the instrumentality of our Conference Lay Leader, Cllr. Dr. Tolbert G. Nyenswah, two grants of twenty thousand United States Dollars ($20,000), each were awarded to the Liberia Episcopal Area for the purpose of educating and sensitizing the members of the Liberia Annual Conference.  The Annual Conference was divided into three zones.  Intensive workshops were carried out throughout the Annual Conference.  The holding of Press Conferences by your humble servant and other members of the Task Force, coupled with prayers, helped to calm the situation and brought us to where we are today.  We commend this committee for the job well done!

DISAFFILIATION

In consequence of the disinformation and misinformation about the decisions coming out of the 2020/2024 General Conference of The United Methodist Church held in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, from April 23-May 3, 2024, some of the ministers of the Church along with their members began to agitate for a special session of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.  Your humble servant and his cabinet resolved not to hold a Special Session of the Annual Conference.  As a result, some of the churches from the Monrovia District Conference to include: New Georgia, Seventy-Second, New Hope, E. D. McGill, Ebenezer, Refuge, New Life, amongst others have written announcing their desire to disaffiliate.  Additionally, two of our Districts have also taken decisions to disaffiliate: Gompa and Weala.  I want to inform these churches and the two districts that they are totally Out of Order!  The decision of the General Conference in May was that paragraph 2553 which was created during the Special Session in 2016 expired since December 31st 2023.  Therefore, when some of our delegates fought hard and brought it to the floor, it was overwhelmingly voted out!  Any member of the Church is free to leave but group of persons, a local church, a district conference, and an Annual Conference cannot leave the Denomination!  The route to leave as local churches, districts or an annual conference is through paragraphs 572-574 (2020/2024 BOD).

THE UNITED METHODIST UNIVERSITY (UMU)

The United Methodist University (UMU) has experienced serious financial deficit and a challenged leadership gap since October 2024.  The institution was closed temporarily for two months, because the full-time instructors, junior staff, as well as the senior staff had not taken pay checks for about five to six months.  This situation prompted the staff to form a group calling themselves -The UMU Staff Welfare.  The Staff Welfare then wrote the Board of Directors making some demands.  The Board and the Administration of UMU quickly met to find a lasting solution to this financial deficit issue, so as to be able to pay instructional staff, part-timers, support staff and even the senior staff.  A resolution was reached and an amount of $500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) was placed in as a loan from the International Bank of Liberia Limited (IBLL).

Meanwhile, the students of UMU were threatening to strike.  Consequently, your humble servant convened a meeting with the entire students’ leadership from the various campuses of the University.   Following this meeting, an emergency Board meeting was convened and the Board voted to unanimously suspend the President, Vice President for Administration and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a period of two months with pay and a five-member Committee on Investigation was constituted.  The Board also put an Interim Leadership Team in place, chaired by Rev. Dr. Anthony G. Dioh.  The Board Members are still perusing the report of the Investigative Committee.  After the members have perused the report, a Board of Directors meeting will be called and the recommendations will be thoroughly discussed and implemented.  This will be done immediately after the 192nd Session of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

A NEW DIRECTION

Members of this Conference, I need not tell you that we live in a changing world and changing circumstances.  The realities of life are not the same always.

Some years back, we developed a five-year strategic plan.  As we agreed at the last Conference year, the need to reassess that plan is necessary and cannot be over-emphasized.  The Strategic Direction/Connectional Ministries are urged to hasten the process because we need a road map going forward in this new quadrennium.  Our re-assessment should focus more on local potential for resource mobilization.

With all the challenges and issues before this 192nd Session, our new strategic direction will certainly be driven by the decision of this Conference.

RE-ENVISIONING YOUNG PEOPLE’S MINISTRY

Fellow United Methodists, despite the polarization of today’s world and its impacts on the Church’s Mission, especially Ministry to, with, for and by young people, I am pleased to announce a comprehensive Policy and Program Intervention package, named and styled: The Liberia Annual Conference Strategy and Program Interventions for Young People Empowerment, Institutional Reform and Growth, and Reconciliation.

This dual-edge program portfolio, encompasses strategic projects and programs dedicated towards long-term leadership development initiatives for our emerging leaders, sustainable institutional capacity building for the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries; and the reconstruction and re-operationalization of the Stephen Trowen Nagbe Retreat Center. We shall endeavor to work with the Department of Trustee at all levels of the reconstruction framework of the White Plain Retreat Center.

Before the end of our tenure, we envisage providing more young people full scholarship for advance Masters and doctoral degrees from national and international prestigious universities. Currently, ten (10) youth have been awarded full scholarships to attend Africa University, Zimbabwe and two hundred (200) plus young people drawn from the twenty-two (22) districts are provided scholarships to attend the University Methodist University – Monrovia.   

Distinguished accredited delegates, special guests and observers, and to all United Methodists beyond this wall, despite the suspension of the leadership of the Conference Young Adult Fellowship, my administration shall employ vigorous leadership empowerment programs in line with LAC Strategy and Program Interventions for Young People Empowerment, Institutional Reform and Growth, and Reconciliation shall be rollup to tackle the current leadership and structural challenges faced by our young people. To ensure greater reform, and following consultation with my cabinet, the appropriate personnel will be named to coordinate the Inter-Agency Committee on Young People Development. The inter-agency committee shall lead all resource mobilization and administration during this period.

The future of this Church is not guaranteed in its current material possession and historical legacies, but it is predicated upon our intentional efforts to secure the future through the empowerment and security of our next-generation of leaders. Because God is our banner, I am humble and seek for his guidance during this endeavor.  Thanks to everyone who provided their immense support to our young people, but truly, the work has just begun.

ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIP

I am delighted to inform you that The United Methodist Church in Liberia remains a very faithful and committed member of the Community of Faith under the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the Ecumenical Arena.  The Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) provides that umbrella and through it, the Church of Liberia speaks to the nation on key critical issues. Your humbled servant serves as 1st Vice President of the Council and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Faith & Justice Network of Liberia.

NECROLOGY

During the period under review, death snatched away some of our members including two of my Cabinet Members – Rev. Paul U. V. Karyeah – District Superintendent of the Morweh District Conference, Rev. Moses C. Kpeleh, District Superintendent, Kokoyah District Conference, Rev. Dr. Samuel Baryogar Browne, Former District Superintendent, Monrovia District Conference & Associate Dean, J. J. Roberts College of Education, Rev. Mary A. Quarshie, Associate Pastor, Ebenezer U.M.C., Rev. Dr. Anna S. Kpaan, Director, Ministry to the Ageing, Deaconess Tutu Girl Blamo, Monrovia District Conference, Fth. Shadrack Saydee, former Council Chair, St, John UMC, Gbarnga District, Fth. Matthew Johnson, former Council Chair, Gbezohn UMC, among others.  A full listing will be heard during the Memorial Service in the Committee on Memoir report.  May their souls and the souls of all Faithful Departed Saints rest in peace.  Amen!

COMMENDATION

My Fellow United Methodists, I am delighted, and especially overwhelmed to give God the praise firstly, for the strength and courage He has given me to survive the storm.  I am highly appreciative to my Office Staff: Rev. J. Joel Gould, my Administrative Assistant, Sister Awah M. Cole, My Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr. Samuel K. Karyeah, my Research Officer, Bro. Lafayette Browne, Protocol Officer, Sis. Esther P.G. Zeogar, Office Assistant/Care taker, Bro. Michael Boeglay, Press Attaché, and Bro. Lamin Kamara, Chauffer. To all of you, I’m grateful.

To my hard-working Cabinet – led by the Acting Dean, for your tireless efforts and dutiful support to the LAC/UMC as you lead your various districts/circuits.  Thanks so much.

A Special Recognition and gratitude go out to the Missionary Community, the Episcopacy Committee, headed by Rev. Dr. Erlene P. Thompson, the United Methodist School Principal Association, the United Methodist Legislative Caucus, Honorable Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Col. Gregory Coleman, Inspector-General, Liberia National Police and Hon. N. Oswald Tweh, Justice Minister/Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia.

My grateful thanks and appreciation go to all our Pastors and Lay Members who actually make the Conference what it ought to be—who make sacrifices for the ministry of Jesus Christ.  You deserve our praise and honor in this public manner.

To all Ministries, and Agencies, Chairpersons and Directors, our various Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces of our Conference.  Thanks so much for the job well done.

To all of our Partners in Progress – GBGM, Global Health, Michigan Annual Conference, Illinois Great River Annual Conference, etc., etc. we say thanks a million.  We succeeded because you were there for us in the midst of our challenges.

To all the People called United Methodists in this Episcopal Area, including our Missionaries and Global Mission Fellows for your unflinching support. Thanks A Million!

To the Board of Laity headed by our dynamic layleader, Cllr. Dr. Tolbert G. Nyenswah, and all his Associates – Sis. Theresa M. Davies, Region I, Bro. John D. Kolleh, Region II and Bro. Allison Paygar, Region III – for their great efforts in helping to keep The United Methodist Church alive.

Also, the Members of the Interim Board of Ordained Ministry and all the members of the Task Force – Rev. Caleb Dormah et all, I say thanks a million for the job well done!

The last but not the least, to my loving and caring wife, my partner in ministry, my for better, for worst – Mother Richlain N.K. Quire – who stood by me in the midst of the storm, serving as my counselor, my prayer warrior and encourager along with our children.  Thanks so much for all your support.  May God lead us as we transition to a brighter United Methodist Church.  Amen!

CONCLUSION

Brethren of the Household of Faith, as we close this Conference Year-2024 with all of the challenges and storms, and open the veil of the year 2025 with hope of prospects for the future of our church, I urge all of you to put away the bitterness of the past, and put on the true spirit of reconciliation for the growth and development of our beloved United Methodist Church.

I urge all of you, as I borrow the concept of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai –

“Think United Methodist, Love United Methodist, and Build United Methodist”.

May I leave you with this great hymn of our Church written by Charles Wesley (1762) –

“A Charge to Keep I have”.

  1. A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify,

A never dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky.

  • To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill;

O may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will!

  • Arm me with jealous care, as in thy sight to live,

And oh, thy servant, Lord prepare a strict account to give!

  • Help me to watch and pray, and on thyself rely,

Assured, if I my trust betray, I shall forever die. Amen!

Surely indeed, we have a charge to keep, and a God to glorify.

Let me leave with you the three simple rules of the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, in his book- “The Three Simple Rules”:

  • DO GOOD
  • DO NO HARM
  • STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD

Be reminded that this battle is not ours, but God’s.  Therefore, be strong and courageous!

SHALOM!



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