The 2022 Mozambique North Annual Conference convened Oct. 29-30 at Manica District-Chimoio City. Based on 1 Kings 19:7, the theme was “Christians of North Annual Conference, get up and eat; otherwise, the journey will be too much for you.”
Because of COVID-19, sessions were in hybrid format.
Mozambique Area Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala encouraged members to be strong and courageous at all circumstances and to not follow the example of Elijah, who preferred to die when Jezebel frightened him. She urged participants to remain steadfast in their beliefs and to focus on God and Jesus Christ “to win the Jezebels that are around us.”
Conferees agreed that:
- Children benefit from the teaching of catechism for baptism and confirmation.
- Churches within the conference must redouble their work and sustainable efforts to reduce dependency from the Missouri Annual Conference (U.S.).
- Membership will not be withdrawn without following proper rules and regulations stated in the Book of Discipline.
- Chimoio Parish was divided into two parishes; the second one is called Galilee Parish.
- The Pastoral Office of Beira was divided; the second one is called John Wesley Parish.
- All pastors must contribute to the pension fund. If one does not want to do so, they must write and sign a statement with their spouse indicating that decision.
- Effective in 2023, Retired Pastor's Day is incorporated in the church calendar.
The conference resolved that the church should continue observing coronavirus preventive measures until all local, national and international restrictions are eased. Other adopted resolutions stated the following:
- Pastors who have not yet married in the church or in the courts must do so on or before December 2022. This resolution does not include single pastors.
- Conference statisticians should work closely with all districts and field missionaries in order to bring about accurate statistical data.
- Local churches experiencing salary problems for their pastors should create partnerships with other districts or conferences within the episcopal area.
One church closed from 2021 through 2022 because of political instability in the Cabo Delgado Province in northern Mozambique. General Conference delegates include the Rev. Alzira Isaac (clergy) and Americo Nhassengo (lay). One clergy member was ordained elder.
Statistical report:
- Membership: 15,000
- Worship attendance: 350
- Church school attendance: 1,340
- Professions or reaffirmations of faith: 150
- Adults and young adults in small groups: 4,521
- Worshippers engaged in mission: 217
—Eurico Gustavo, communicator in the Mozambique North Conference.