Navigation

United Methodist University acting president is dead

Oct. 31, 2014 | MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS)
The Rev. James D. Karblee (second row center) with Bishops John G. Innis and Arthur F. Kulah at the Gbarnga School of Theology in March. Photo by Julu Swen, UMNS
The Rev. James D. Karblee (second row center) with Bishops John G. Innis and Arthur F. Kulah at the Gbarnga School of Theology in March. Photo by Julu Swen, UMNS

The Rev. Dr. James D. Karblee, acting president at United Methodist University, died suddenly on Oct. 29. He was 71.

ELWA Hospital officials certified that Karblee did not die of Ebola.

Karblee, who was vice president for administration at the university, was at work on Oct. 29 and left without showing any sign of illness, according to his assistant Jacob P. Young.

“He was a hypertension person and would intermittently complain about gastro-indigestion problems,” Young said.

Family members said they took Karblee to the hospital after he became weak and unresponsive.

Karblee joined the United Methodist University in 2004 after serving The United Methodist Church in Liberia as director of Connectional Ministries, district superintendent, pastor, chairperson of several boards including Connectional Ministries and Board of Ordained Ministry. 

Julu Swen, a communicator for The United Methodist Church in Liberia, provided this story.

News media contact: Vicki Brown, news editor, [email protected] or 615-742-5469.

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!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION
Social Concerns
Demonstrators carry placards during a march against xenophobia in Johannesburg in 2015. Xenophobia — fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners — continues to be widespread in South Africa, where harassment and violence against African and Asian non-nationals are routine and sometimes lethal, according to Human Rights Watch. File photo by Mike Hutchings, Reuters.

Church takes on xenophobia in South Africa
In collaboration with the Council of Churches of South Africa, United Methodists are educating young people about xenophobic attacks and the meaning of being “foreign.”
Disaster Relief
UM News is the official news gathering agency of the 13-million member United Methodist Church. Map courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by UM News.

Alert: Bishop calls for prayers as volcano erupts in DRC
More than 5,000 United Methodists are fleeing Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, in the wake of a volcano. Bishop Gabriel Unda asks for prayers.
General Church
The Rev. Dr. Jean Claude Masuka Maleka. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Is church separation a good or bad idea?

Separation in the church could affect Africa more than any other continent, and United Methodists must work to keep the unity of the Body of Christ.