Appeal to Support organizing work in Africa including ratification of constitutional amendments
Ratification of constitutional amendments in The United Methodist Church continues to experience vicious, well-funded disinformation campaigns across Africa.
Wide-spread persistent demonstrations whose funding can be traced back to Wesleyan Covenant Association/Global Methodist Church have taken place in Congo, Nigeria, Liberia, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Tragically, in one instance tensions escalated to violence that resulted in the deaths of 3 United Methodists – including 2 children – in Nigeria.
Despite risks and threats, a grassroot networks of proven, effective UM leaders has emerged in Africa and the Philippines. While the exact work of these leaders varies from region the region, common threads include:
fighting well-funded disinformation campaigns about what happened at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte
promoting ratification of the constitutional amendments for worldwide regionalization
staying connected as the UMC to work together for social justice around peace, poverty, people’s rights and mission projects that provide education, health care, support for orphans, and economic self-sufficiency.
Western Methodist Justice Movement (WMJM) has been working to raise funds to support these grass roots, locally based, United Methodist leaders in their efforts to fight disinformation and support ratification. Led by Rev. Izzy Alvaran, a group of leaders in Africa and the Philippines evaluate and recommends program grants.
To date, WMJM has funded close to $30,000 in grants including:
Sending an organizing team to West Africa Central Conference (WACC) that met in December 2024. WACC is at the heart of GMC/WCA work to tear apart the UMC in Africa. Both newly elected bishops by WACC are working already at work to promote ratification and stop destructive misinformation campaigns.
Training key grassroots leaders within all 13 districts of the Zambia Annual Conference. A few influential individuals have left the UMC and trying take as many churches as possible to the GMC.
Providing educational meetings before and during each of the 26 Annual Conference sessions of Philippines Central Conference to support ratification of world-wide regionalization. The AC sessions begin this February.
Funding for radio programs across Liberia to counter demonstrations and misinformation.
The outcome of the recent WACC session is changing the narrative across Africa. It encouraged each of its annual conferences to support ratification and elected bishops who are committed to staying in the United Methodist Church.
As a result, organizing teams of able leaders are coming together for the upcoming sessions of the Africa Central Conference and Congo Central Conference which will elect new bishops and set directions within their regions. These organizing teams are hoping for similar outcomes to the WACC. But influential people remain within these central conferences with strong, historic GMC connections. So, while there are many hopeful signs, any outcome is possible.
WMJM and other groups are receiving grant requests to support this organizing work at the upcoming central conference sessions as well as ratification projects within African annual conferences. These requests may total more than $80,000.
Donations of $100, $50, $250 or even $1,000 or more are needed for this good work to continue to happen. Because it is urgent at this time, at least 90% of your gift will go to support organizing work in Africa including ratification of constitutional amendments. The remainder of the gift will support other Western Methodist Justice Movement programs and operational costs.
Give online today at wmjm.org/donate!
For additional information about the situation in Africa see:
Three United Methodists Killed in Nigeria
https://www.umnews.org/en/news/3-united-methodists-killed-in-nigeria
Overview of situation in Africa
https://um-insight.net/perspectives/stop-the-violence-and-gun-evangelism-africa-needs-peace/
West Africa Central Conference Elects Two New Bishops
https://www.umnews.org/en/news/west-africa-elects-ande-ikimun-emmanuel-as-bishop
https://www.umnews.org/en/news/boye-caulker-elected-as-sierra-leone-bishop