Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
African clerics have been challenged to consider paradigm shifts from church pulpit and attend global conferences to equip themselves with current realities of the 21st Century.
Director Connectional Ministries, United Methodist Church (UMC), Jalingo, Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Dopah stated this in an interview with our correspondent in Jalingo shortly after arriving from a conference trip in Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
According to him, there is need for African church leaders to pay attention to global conferences to exchange ideas on contemporary issues that will promote the gospel of Christ.
“I therefore suggest, there should be a paradigm shift from church pulpit to global leadership conferences by African church leaders”.
Rev. Dopah while sharing his experience gathered during the strategic leadership conference in the USA from May 18th to June 2nd 2025, Dr. Micah described it as rewarding, particularly as it centered on how to manage church and promote the gospels.
He further called for mutual understanding among Christians, revealing that every leader must be on his knees to seek Gods’ intervention.
“I also call on African Christians to return to God for mercy, for the current situation in Africa is alarming compared to overseas, which includes denominational divisions, killings, prosecution and several other vices the continent (Africa) was lagging behind,
Rev. Micah Dopah also called for nations-building among African diversity, urging citizens to always pray for leaders.
He also frowns as social media handles in Africa which he says was quite different from those of the western world pointing out that it has caused more harm than good.
He appreciated the people of the church (UMC), family, friends and well-wishers for their prayers and support to his trip to the Conference.