GCFA Convenes Leaders in Africa Regional Conferences for Stewardship and Administrative Training
Updated: 8 hours ago
ROBERTSFIELD, MARGIBI COUNTY, LIBERIA — The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of The United Methodist Church gathered 42 leaders, including annual conference secretaries, regional conference episcopacy committee chairs, and assistants to bishops from across Africa, for a stewardship and administrative training at The Farmington Hotel on August 29, 2026. Some attendees were sponsored by their Episcopal areas to attend training.
The gathering brought together leaders responsible for the administrative work that sustains the connection across the continent, such as conference journals, statistical reporting, financial processes, and episcopal area governance. Bishops Mujinga Kashala and Mande Muyombo also joined for parts of the day.
"While GCFA led this training, our participants taught us about how we can work together for the benefit of the connection. We shared what we know about journals, data, and finance, and our colleagues across the continent taught us how GCFA’s processes actually land in their contexts,” said Caitlin Congdon, General Secretary of GCFA.
The training opened with worship led by the Rev. Anthony G. Dioh of the Liberia Annual Conference, followed by plenary sessions on administrative best practices, the role of data in connectional life, and the process for creating and submitting annual conference journals. Participants also heard an update on the budget process and were informed about current denominational finances.
"It was a joy to discuss the importance of data and the tools we use to “map the harvest” – meaning that data submitted across Africa helps inform the Connection about the growth and vitality throughout Africa,” said Ndzulo Tueche, Connectional Relations Manager for Regional Conferences in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.
Participants received resource materials in English, French, and Portuguese, including journal examples, submission guides, statistical reference materials, and the Financial Commitment book. GCFA has been expanding multilingual access to its administrative resources as part of a broader effort to reduce barriers for conferences outside the United States.
The Liberia gathering preceded the meeting of the 2026 Africa College of Bishops, held the following week, during which time General Secretary Caitlin Congdon gave an update on finances, along with participating in some executive sessions.
Materials from the training are available here.
Media Contact:
Brandy M. Bivens
Chief Communications Officer,
General Council on Finance and Administration
About GCFA
The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) serves through financial and administrative ministries that enable the fulfillment of the mission of The United Methodist Church.
