General Church

Bishop Harald Rückert recites 1 John 4:20-21 during opening worship for a Feb. 6-9 meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, that brought together members of the Committee on Faith and Order, the Connectional Table, the Study of Ministry Commission and the Standing Committee on Regional Conference Matters Outside the USA (previously the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters). Rückert, who has retired after leading The United Methodist Church in Germany, chairs the standing committee that is leading the work to develop a globally relevant Book of Discipline. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

Making regionalization a reality for the church

United Methodist leaders have embarked on a significant reimagining of the Book of Discipline. They also heard an update on the formation of a U.S. regional conference.

General Church

The United Methodist Mission in Honduras ordained its first three elders since its founding in 1997. In the photo, the bishops present lay hands on María Magdalena Zelaya Cruz. From left: Bishop Lizzette Gabriel Montalvo, Bishop Juan de Dios Peña, Bishop Emeritus José Roberto Peña Nazario, Bishop Juan Miguel Simpson Bennett, and Bishop Rubén Sáenz Jr. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.

United Methodists ordain first elders in Honduras

“This is historic for Methodism in Latin America,” says Bishop Rubén Sáenz Jr., episcopal leader of the United Methodist Mission in Honduras.

Mission and Ministry

Kephus Mtambo, farm project coordinator for Mikundi Dairy Farm in Blantyre, Malawi, walks in a barn that is under construction. The farm is being transformed from a previously neglected irrigation facility into a modern livestock center with support from the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative, a United Methodist Board of Global Ministries program. Photo by Francis Nkhoma, UM News.

Malawi farm aims to improve lives, draw people to Christ

Supported by a grant from The United Methodist Church’s Yambasu Agriculture Initiative, Mikundi Dairy Farm provides a model for community empowerment and evangelism.

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.

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