Youth leaders focus on guiding others to Jesus Christ

Providing youth — and the adults who work with them — with basic skills to ensure effective, prophetic and transforming leadership for the church and the community was the goal of two training workshops offered here. More than 45 youth leaders participated in the event.

The first session centered on the training manual for United Methodist youth leaders in Africa. The second emphasized the importance of training youth leaders for the Congo church.

East Congo Conference youth coordinator Alexis Selemani outlined the purpose of the April workshops and expressed confidence in young people who strive to practice the guidelines outlined in the youth leadership manual.

Reflecting Wesley’s mandate to “do no harm,” Selemani said the training is intended to help youth leaders “so they can continue to teach others and practice the methods contained in the manual.”

He noted that participants in the training “believe they will be able to evangelize other young people and lead them to Jesus Christ.”

Roger Kasongo of the Kindu North District agreed. Because of the training, he hopes to influence others by being a good role model and, in the process, lead others to Jesus Christ. He invited participants to read the manual. It “can enable young leaders to develop new strategies to advance the work of God,” he said, “and facilitate the development of our community.”

Representing the Kindu South District, Herve Tshoso recently attended a youth-leadership meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. Youth in today’s world, he stressed, must make life-changing choices. He said young leaders have a major role to play in urging their peers to adopt positive lifestyles and avoid negative influences.

By modeling good behavior, Tshoso said, “we teach others by our actions.” He cited the apostle Paul’s words in his first letter to Timothy (4:12, NRSV): “Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Participant John Losolo said, “Leaders must know and identify real needs of the community and seek solutions” that result in changes for the better. “Good leaders in the church,” he added, “must be proactive, visionary, helpful and humble.”

“Youth are not just the church of tomorrow, but also today,” said Germain Mupasa, a representative of the Central Conference of Congo in the Division of Youth Ministries of the General Office for Discipleship. “In Africa, young people are the majority in our churches. They occupy responsible positions. That is why we must train youth to win more and more souls to Jesus Christ.” He said the Bible, the United Methodist Book of Discipline and the training manual for youth leaders in Africa are essential tools for youth ministry.

Tambwe Londe is a communicator for the East Congo Conference.

News media contact: Vicki Brown at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests

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