Conferences extend covenant agreement

With his country in the midst of political and economic turmoil, Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, episcopal leader of the Zimbabwe Area, said that the role of United Methodists in Zimbabwe is to continue to encourage a spirit of peace.

"We need to develop and equip spiritual leaders to promote peace," Nhiwatiwa said. "But we cannot do that alone. We need resources from our brothers and sisters around the world."

For 11 years, the Baltimore-Washington Annual (regional) Conference has been a resource on which Nhiwatiwa can depend. On April 30, during the 2008 General Conference, the two annual conferences signed a new covenant to extend their relationship through 2012.  

Bishop John R. Schol signs the covenant with the Zimbabwe Area represented by Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa (left).

The covenant states the two conferences will focus on issues such as theological training, community and economic development, young adult ministries, preaching, biblical studies and leadership in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area.

"This is an important relationship that strengthens both conferences," said Washington, D.C., Area Bishop John R. Schol. "We value our relationship with the Zimbabwe Conference. This covenant illustrates our commitment to helping our brothers and sisters to grow in Christ in a very challenging part of the world."

The two leaders signed the new covenant on a table that was made from trees salvaged from Gulfside Assembly, in Waveland, Miss. a United Methodist retreat center that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Delegate members from both conferences were present for the signing.

Schol said the new covenant would extend the work and relationship-building that has occurred since 1997. In 2007, the Baltimore-Washington Conference sent a 13-member team of clergy and laity to Zimbabwe to teach church leadership and community development strategies and skills to about 300 pastors. The team also distributed more than 7,000 insecticide-treated bed nets, as part of the Nothing But Nets anti-malaria campaign.

"This covenant between us and the Baltimore-Washington Conference is a healthy one, because it is something that will really help our churches to grow and support spiritual leaders," Nhiwatiwa said. "I value our relationship with them, and I thank God for their commitment."

*Lane is communications director for the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

News media contact: Tim Tanton or Kathy Noble, e-mail: [email protected].

Phone calls can be made to the General Conference Newsroom in Fort Worth, Texas, at (817) 698-4405 until May 3. Afterward, call United Methodist News Service in Nashville, Tenn., at (615) 742-5470.

Related Articles

General Conference headlines

Resources

General Conference 2008

General Board of Pension and Health Benefits

Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Bishops
The Rev. Nelson Kalombo Ngoy receives congratulations from Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone after being elected a United Methodist bishop during the Mid Africa Central Conference in Kitwe, Zambia, on July 12. Ngoy, a Congo native who currently leads a multiracial congregation in New York, was unanimously elected on the sixth ballot. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Nelson Kalombo Ngoy elected as bishop

The pastor, who currently leads a multiracial congregation in New York, was elected a United Methodist bishop at the Mid Africa Central Conference.
Bishops
Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone (right) congratulates the Rev. Mujinga Kashala after her election as a United Methodist bishop on July 12 during the Mid Africa Central Conference in Kitwe, Zambia. Kashala is the second woman elected a United Methodist bishop on the African continent and the first in Mid Africa. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Mujinga Kashala elected as bishop

The district superintendent and pastor in South Congo is the second woman elected as a United Methodist bishop on the African continent and the first in Mid Africa.
Bishops
The Rev. Antoine Kalema Tambwe receives the United Methodist episcopal pin from Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone after his election on July 12 during the Mid Africa Central Conference in Kitwe, Zambia. The longtime district superintendent is the first of three bishops to be elected at the conference, formerly the Congo Central Conference. Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, United Methodist Communications.

Antoine Kalema Tambwe elected as bishop

The veteran district superintendent and General Conference delegate was elected a United Methodist bishop at the Mid Africa Central Conference, formerly the Congo Central Conference.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved