By Gbayor Charles Gbayor | UM News Monrovia
In a historic moment for the United Methodist Church (UMC) in West Africa, Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., President of the West Africa College of Bishops and Resident Bishop of the Liberia Episcopal Area, will lead a distinguished delegation to Freetown, Sierra Leone in early March this year to participate in the highly anticipated Sierra Leone Annual Conference and the induction of the newly elected Bishop of the Sierra Leone Episcopal Area, Bishop James Boyce Caulker.
The event, which took place this month, was a significant occasion for the church, bringing together key leaders from various regions to witness the installation of Bishop Caulker and to engage in discussions about the future direction of the church in the region. The Sierra Leone Annual Conference is a key gathering for United Methodists across the country, where matters of church growth, community outreach, and spiritual development are deliberated.
The induction ceremony of Bishop James Boyce Caulker will mark a new chapter in the spiritual leadership of the Sierra Leone episcopal area. As the newly appointed leader of the Sierra Leone Episcopal Area, Bishop Caulker’s installation will be a moment of great anticipation for the church’s members. His leadership is expected to bring renewed energy and vision to the church, as he takes on the mantle of guiding the Methodist faithful in the country. The ceremony will be a blend of solemn rituals and joyous celebrations, as church leaders, clergy, and lay members gather to honor Bishop Caulker and his new role.
The Resident Bishop of the Liberia Episcopal Area, Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., will serve as the induction officer for Bishop Caulker’s ceremony. Bishop Quire Jr., who is also the President of the West Africa College of Bishops, has been a stalwart figure in the Methodist community, playing a pivotal role in the church’s development across the West African sub-region. His presence at the induction was symbolic of the strong unity among the church’s leadership in West Africa and the shared commitment to expanding the church’s mission and outreach.
Among the distinguished delegates that will be attending the event are Mother Richlain K . Quire, Bishop Quire’s wife and, a well-respected figure in the church, Cllr. Dr. Tolbert Nyenswah, Conference Lay Leader, Rev. J. Jeol Gould Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, and Rev. Dr Anthony Dio among others. Their presence will highlight the diverse representation of the church’s leadership, which includes both clergy and laity working together to strengthen the Methodist community in Sierra Leone and beyond. Cllr. Dr. Nyenswah’s participation in the event also emphasized the important role that lay leaders play in the church’s mission and the significant contributions they make toward shaping the direction of the church’s work.
The gathering will not just be about the induction of a new bishop; it is a celebration of the ongoing work of the church in Sierra Leone and the greater West African region. Bishop Quire Jr. took the opportunity to address the congregation, speaking about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the United Methodist Church in West Africa. He urged the church to continue its commitment to spreading the message of hope, peace, and love throughout the region, particularly in the face of growing social and economic challenges.
The Sierra Leone Annual Conference also provided a platform for various church leaders to share their experiences, discuss new initiatives, and reflect on the church’s progress over the past year. As the church moved forward under the leadership of Bishop James Boyce Caulker, the delegation from Liberia and other regions left the event feeling inspired and hopeful for the future of the United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone and across West Africa.
This event was a reminder of the strong ties that bind the UMC across the West African subregion, with leaders and members coming together to support one another in faith and mission. As Bishop Caulker takes on his new responsibilities, the church community looks forward to his leadership and the continued growth of the Methodist movement in Sierra Leone and beyond.