Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Director Connectional Ministries of the United Methodist Church UMC Rev Dr. Philip Micah Dopah has appreciated God and commend the good works and legacies of founding father John Wesley of England, for his role play in uniting members of the Church.
He stated this in his message to celebrate the 100 years Centenary of the Church in Zing, Zing local government, Taraba State.
He acknowledged the tireless efforts of both international and local missionaries from Nigeria, West Africa, America, Germany on other continent of the world few among them are Late Bishop Done Peter Dabale, late Late Bishop Kefas Mavula, Late Mr. Alfred Boer, Bishop Thomas Banguru, Bishop Peter Weaver, Pro. Ethel Johnson, Bishop Gregory Palmer, Bishop Arthur F. kulah, Bishop Nkulu Ntanda Ntanbo, Late Rev. Dr. Luka Zanya, Late Rev. Simon Jatutu, Late Rev. Yohanna Donso, Late Rev. Hosea Nawati, Late Rev. Hananiya Ntoriko, Late Rev. Buba Joda Mafindi, Late Rev. Daniel Korot, Rev. Muzadu Bakila, Rev. Aliyuda Saidu Munga, Late Rev. Ayuba Ndule, Late Rev. Ali Masoyi, Late Rev. Titus Goni, Rev. Dennis Gilenya, Late Mr. Joel Jauro, Late Hon. Danjuma Zogimba, Late Mama Lucy Nyame, Mama Mary Jatutu, Late Mr. Yuguda Kaigama, Late Mr. Peter Marubitoba, Late Alfred Dime, Late Evang. Solomon Ganza and all our current leaders cut across the conferences that are promoting the kingdom work too numerous to mention.
“I am highly delighted to congratulate all of us for making it to this very important event, 100 years is not 100 seconds, 100 minutes, 100 hours, 100 weeks or 100 months; 100 years of God’s unending love.
“May God continue to bless you all and keep you, once again congratulations
Passionate call
In Mathew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God”.
“Let us celebrate 100 years with clean and pure heart; with forgiveness, and in truth and spirit. Let us revive the spirit of Evangelism and discipleship; the spirit of attending midweek services and Bible studies.
“Let us renew our passion for the love of our neighbours, fellowship, unity, teamwork, tolerance and holy living Church is the author and the thorough definition of peace, we must be peacemakers in our homes, society and the wider world.
“Let us be promoters of peace, seeking peace in all we do and try to be the solution to the world numerous problems. Don’t be part of those that will add salt to the injury.
“Do not forget our three simple rules of living as people of United Methodist Church “do no harm; do good; and stay in love with God always”.
” Let me quote a story, “A 100 years after Wesley death, A noble man came into a Small England Village looking For ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES and Finding None. He asked a black slave why he couldn’t find alcohol in this entire village, and the black slave replied: “Master, a 100 years ago Someone by the name John Wesley passed through this Village, since then all alcoholic shop Closed because no one would buy”.
“What a Life of impact by John Wesley His Passion for Souls and impact is still Felt till date. Reaching the Lost at all Cost.
“The story of John Wesley teaches us that a life of impact is within our reach.
“Live with passion, purpose, and unwavering principles. Embrace the responsibility of influencing others positively, and never underestimate the lasting legacy you can leave behind.
“Your actions today have the potential to shape the world long after you are gone”.
” Finally, any leader that is called and commissioned by God for his glory and service to humanity will always have great vision and great dream.
“Good people of Southern conference, the owner of Southern conference has laid a very positive and important dream in my heart, at the fullness of time you will see the dream clearly.
Re. Micah Dopah said that his doors are very much open for those that will serve as his dream interpreters.
“There is a new ark, Jesus is standing by the door; opened come and have your place.
” I love you all and I wish us all a very happy and peaceful centenary celebration. Amen – he said.
At the end of the 41st Session of the Church annual Conference, resolutions were arrived at, which includes, the delegates unanimously enjoyed the privilege of the flexibility of the Book of Discipline 2016 in paragraph 610 section 1 which says “the annual conference is responsible for structuring its ministries and administrative procedures in order to accomplish its purpose” and elected Rev. Philip Micah Dopah, Rev. Abbo Z. Wakili and Rev. James B. Vocks to preside over the Conference Affairs.
Whereas motivation and encouragement advances healthy growth and expansion, and whereas the following personalities, Districts, Charges and District Superintendents have performed excellently in the year under review and whereas in the recommendation No. 1 of the Director, Connectional Ministries report recommended that the said personalities, Districts, Charges and Districts Superintendents be given special commendation by the conference to spur them into more good works, the Delegates unanimously approved the said recommendation thus:
Comrade Bitrus Obadiah for donating 4 plots of land to the conference.
Miss Soti Peter for being the best Young Female Coordinator of the year 2023 and for her commitment, dedication, diligence and proper coordination during the 2023 Young Female Convention.
Hon. Iliya Kefas Alhaji for his notable contribution in Mayo Gwoi charge and the conference in cash and kind.
Autan Zaki Ikon Allah for his notable contribution in Mayo gwoi charge and for making the conference proud in terms of evangelism nation wide.
Hon. Godwin Nyame for being supportive and instrumental for us in acquiring the Camp ground.
Jatutu Memorial Cathedral for being the best Charge in Evangelism offering with over 2 million naira in 2023.
He said that the Districts that performed well in Evangelism offering during the year under review, include,
Jalingo District
Dabale District
Sabon Gari District
The Districts that performed well in Special Sunday Offerings
Jalingo District
Kona District
Sabon Gari District .
The Districts that performed well in sustainability offering
Jalingo District
Eugene Wesley District
Kpantisawa District.
The District that performed well in Card renewal:
Iware District
Kpantisawa District
Taraba South District.
According to him, the Charges that performed well in Sustainablity :
Mayo Gwoi Charge
Jatutu Memorial Cathedral
Kpantisawa Charge.
Rev. Anthony Mallam as best performing District Superintendent in Evangelism offering, Sustainability and other special Sunday offerings
Rev. Philip J. Jang as 3rd best performing District Superintendent in evangelism offering and other special Sunday offerings.
Rev. David Jonah Dila as 2nd best performing District Superintendent in card renewal and 3rd best performing district superintendent
Rev. David J. Yerima as 2nd best performing districts Superintendent in Evangelism offering
Rev. John Ezekiel Lantoya as best performing District Superintendent in card renewal.
Rev. Robinson Sanwere as 2nd best performing District Superintendent in card renewal.
Rev. James Vocks as 2nd best performing District Superintendent in special Sunday offerings.
The Director, Connectional Ministries (Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Dopah) for his exceptional leadership prowess in Jatutu Memorial cathedral and the conference at large.
Whereas the Director, Connectional Ministries in his recommendation No. 2 recommended for the creation of the following zones as charges, the delegates unanimously approved for the creation of the charges thus:
UMC Jauro Azau Zone, Eugene Wesley District
UMC Dan Lau Zone, Eugene District
UMC Sabon Layi Zone, Eugene Wesley District
UMC Wagwala Zone, Eugene Wesley District
UMC Jegam Penten A Zone Eugene Wesley District
UMC Bodel Zone, Taraba South District
UMC Nahuta C zone, Taraba South District
UMC Tabong Zone Kakulu District
UMC Nyeli Zone, Yorro East District
UMC Dogweh zone, Yorro East District
UMC Sabon Gida Zone Sunkani District
UMC Lashinre Zone, Dabale Memorial District
Whereas Dabale memorial District requested that the name “Dabale memorial District” be renamed as “Bishop Dabale Memorial District”, the delegates unanimously agreed the said district be renamed as requested.
Whereas Bawagarki District requested that the name “Yotti Charge” be renamed as “Bawagarki Charge”, whereas name is important and symbolic to one’s character and history, the delegates unanimously agreed that henceforth, “Yotti Charge” be called “Bawagarki Charge”
Whereas Sunkani District requested that the name “Jauro Baka Charge” be renamed as “Dikulu Charge”, whereas name is important and symbolic to a community and history, the delegates unanimously agreed that henceforth, “Jauro Baka” be called “Dikulu Charge”
Whereas in the recommendation of the Director, Connectional Ministries where he recommend that Nahuta District be carved out from Lau Central District, Apawa District and Yusa Nyandang and whereas there was missional need and the need also to ease charges from passing through many rivers before going to district headquarters, the delegates unanimously agreed for the creation of NAHUTA District
Whereas in the Director, Connectional Ministries’ recommendation number 7 where he recommended that Toungo Special Area be created, and whereas there are vast distances between one mission area to another, after a long deliberation, the delegates unanimously agreed that UMC Zone Toungo be created instead of Special Mission area to accommodate the language of the Book of Discipline.
Whereas there is a high cost of living in our Country, and whereas Pastors and civil servants go to the same schools, markets and hospitals, and whereas the state and federal Government have fully implemented the N30,000- (thirty thousand-naira minimum wage) to all civil servants especially, in Taraba State, the delegates unanimously agreed that henceforth the Church’s minimum wage be raised from N16,000 (Sixteen thousand naira) to N25,000 (Twenty thousand naira) from January 2024.
Whereas there is need to offer sound biblical teaching to our Sunday school children, and whereas there is need to motivate Sunday School teachers to that effect, and whereas the Director, connectional Ministries’ saw the need and duly recommended that Sunday School teachers be engaged as Church workers and the conference delegates so approved.
Whereas there is need to augment the numbers of Sunday School teachers, whereas in the Director, Connectional Ministries’ recommendation number 10, he recommended that all educated and committed Pastor’s wives be enrolled as Sunday School teachers and be placed under monthly allowances, the Delegates seeing the importance of Sunday School department of the Church unanimously approved the said recommendation accordingly.
Whereas there is need to have trained Sunday School teachers, whereas the Conference is blessed with a theological institution (Kakulu Theological Seminary, Zing), the delegates unanimously mandated Kakulu theological Seminary to swiftly come up with a curriculum of a two-year diploma course in Children Ministry to enable our Churches to train professionals in Children Ministry.
Whereas there is gap in leadership capacity in our charges, Districts, and the conference, whereas in the Director, Connectional Ministries’ recommendation where he recommended that newly elected officials from charges to conference undergo a 2days leadership capacity building training and whereas the delegates sees this as a welcome development for effective service delivery, the delegates agreed that the said recommendation be so approved.
Whereas Financial appropriation and Sustainability is the livewire of any organization and whereas the Southern conference of United Methodist Church unanimously resolved last year 2022 to adopt the percentage system and whereas upon implementation, the percentage system did not yield the desired result and whereas there is need to maintain financial sustainability, the delegates resolved that budget system be maintained for robust financial growth and sustainability. Whereas the delegates understand that some districts may like to continue with the percentage system, the delegates resolved that willing districts can maintain percentage system from Charges to district
Whereas the Southern Conference in her 2022 annual Conference during its 40th session resolved to Elect an Episcopacy leader; whereas the 2016 Book of Discipline in Paragraph 405 provides for the Electoral processes beginning with nomination. Whereas the Church’ crises has contributed in weakening the fellowship of the conference with West Africa Central Conference and whereas reconciliation is Biblical and whereas the process of election requires other sister conferences within WACC, it was resolved that Bishops from WACC serving or retired be contacted to organize and prepare the conference on the election of her Bishop. And whereas electing a Bishop is serious business that demands financial implications, and whereas 7 different committees gave a combine budget of Sixty-Seven Million Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred Naira only (67, 016, 600.00) For the election of the Bishop, delegates unanimously approved the said budget for onward implementation.
Whereas the report of the Chairman Committee on Finance and Administration (CFA) was presented to the conference delegates, the sum of Two billion, twenty eight million, five hundred and eighty nine thousand forty nine naira only (2,028,589,049) was presented to the delegates as budget for 2024 financial year, the delegates unanimously approved the said budget for onward implementation.
Members of Resolution Committee include,
Rev. Cletus David Kuhturu – Chairman, Mrs. Aisha D. Mazong -Member, Deac. Iliya Obadiah -Member and Rev. Lydia Andrew – Member while Rev. Ambrose Ibrahim Keto as Secretary.