Almost 800 delegates both laity and clergy met for the 55th session of the Annual Conference. Prior to the official opening of the Annual Conference, there had been a clergy session where Bishop Mande Muyombo declared that this year as Christians, we celebrate the 1,700 years of Council of Nicaea. Out of this session, clergy members are reminded of the following issues:
- actual status of clergy and their connection to the Annual Conference,
- exegesis, homiletics,
- mentorship,
- sabbatical leave,
- pastor’s evaluation form,
- local church management and administration.
The purpose of a clergy session is to guide and inspire others in terms of management, administration of the church. The Rev. Irung Dib Emmanual, special project coordinator, declared that the local church should be managed as a project in order to achieve objectives and ensure progress.
The theme for the annual conference came from Hebrews 3:15, from which the preacher invited members to abide in Jesus, shun sin by staying in prayer in order to create peace, set priorities, have positivity and patience.
In the episcopal address, Bishop Muyombo reiterated both the mission and vision of The United Methodist Church of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by incarnating the new vison of loving boldly, serving joyfully and leading courageously. Muyombo invited delegates at the Annual Conference to buy in the new vision. He exhorted members to talk to one another with love, defend one another, be loyal, get a dose of loyalty, unfailing loyalty and integrate other people.
Serve lovingly and joyfully with Jesus Christ in order to offer love, compassion, which is our DNA; be at the service of the community, graved in to the theology of Ubuntu,” he said. He insisted on calling upon members to eliminate the culture of impunity and promote those who deserve.
The annual conference was blessed with the guest preacher on the second day, the Rev. Kalenga Mukabi from the Pentecostal church. In the spirit of ecumenism, he preached powerfully and every sermon ended with altar call. On the day before the last day of prayer, a lay delegate from Kilubi, one of the districts in North Katanga, shared the testimony of the power of prayer. He shared how he has a son who has been mentally ill. Thanks to the mutual prayer during the conference, his son healed, the son travelled for almost 80 km to be presented publicly of what the Lord has done during the annual conference.
Different reports from different meetings done in person and virtually for church were read. The report from the General Conference was read as well by the head of delegations. Meetings convened by the worldwide church have been reported so that delegates are acquainted with worldwide church gatherings.
It is during this annual conference that amendments from the General Conference 2020-2024 session held in Charlotte, North Carolina, were ratified. Through ballots, delegates supported ratification of worldwide regionalization by being on time and wanting ballots to vote during conference on the third day. Delegates were ready to support the ratification of worldwide regionalization, Banza Kibwe, secretary of the Annual Conference, said.
This leads to say that effective preparation and explanation from North Katanga leadership on worldwide regionalization paved the way to support the ratification and it is our hope that results from North Katanga Annual Conference will be an added value to the whole package.
It was during this annual conference that almost 800 delegates met altogether for the last time. Next annual Conference in 2026, there will be North Katanga Annual Conference with 13 districts whose headquarters is in Kamina. The other annual conference will be Upemba, with 11 districts headquartered in Lwena.
Looking at the distance, districts located along the coast of the river Congo will be travelling for a reasonable distance and avoid unnecessary motorbike accidents.
As director of communication, the Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau said that after a lot of series of trainings on regionalization and support from General Conference, there was no further explanation on regionalization during the annual conference. Echoing her view, the Rev. Mumba Masimango, conference treasurer, said that North Katanga delegates were prepared for the support of ratification because there were a lot of trainings from directors of Evangelism, Christian Education, Women desk work. Masimango had presented on regionalization for women’s groups during district fellowship in Kamina district.
In support of worldwide regionalization, directors of Evangelism and Christian Education travelled in different districts for training on regionalization, pointing out its advantages and challenges.
Trainings on regionalization helped members to rethink on adaptation of mission and ministry. As a treasurer, Masimango explained on fundraising as seasonal. Some seasons are beneficial looking at what our members do — especially during harvest time for those members whose main activity is to cultivate the field.
For example, in Nord Baluba district, Mumba shared his experience, when you invite people to contribute with the equivalent of a dollar or the equivalent on local currency, they will not understand and they will not contribute easily. But when you invite them to contribute two bottles of palm oil that they produce daily and their special source of income, then bottles will be donated and collected. Another reality is from Tenke District, whereby when members are invited to contribute with local measurement of beans, it is easy to do so and beans are available. In-kind contribution is given easily as apportionment and when items collected are gathered, they are sold and money is generated for the church treasure. Mumba’s experience on the financial system of collecting funds from district is easy and suitable for him.
The conference ended up on the last day with the ordination of both nine deacons and 13 elders and at the close of the conference, pastors were given new assignments for mission and ministry because we all believe in itineration.
—The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau, director of communications, North Katanga Episcopal Area