The United Methodist Church in Africa and GCFA Celebrate Stewardship Quadrennial Training at Africa University

MUTARE, ZIMBABWE – July 30, 2025 – The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of The United Methodist Church is pleased to announce the successful completion of its Stewardship Quadrennial Training Event for the African Continent, held at Africa University on July 22–23, 2025. View the recap video here.

“We want to thank GCFA for organizing this historic event, which has given us in Africa an opportunity. It is a new day for all of us to join our siblings in Christ, living into our Connection,” said Bishop Mande Muyombo, President of the African College of Bishops and Chair of The Connectional Table. “It is time now for our growth to be expressed in tangible expressions of joyful giving in order to support the mission and ministries in all contexts and around the world.”

The two-day event brought together more than 115 participants representing annual conferences from across the continent. Attendees included African Bishops, treasurers, Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) chairs, legal representatives, communicators, and annual conference secretaries. The event was born out of conversations between Bishop Mande in his role as African College of Bishops President and GCFA General Secretary Rev. Moses Kumar.

“GCFA is grateful for not only the attendance of all African Bishops, but the encouragement and cooperation they gave their leaders who are faithfully committed to carrying out stewardship across their many countries,” said Rev. Moses Kumar, GCFA General Secretary.

The training offered in-depth instruction on recent updates to The Book of Discipline and emphasized best practices in stewardship, including being good stewards of finance, property, and data. Rooted in Jesus Christ, the event was marked by a spirit of worship, fellowship, learning, listening, and collaboration. Participants engaged in dynamic workshops, shared experiences, and explored strategies to strengthen the financial, administrative, and missional health of their respective conferences. The gathering was hosted at Africa University, a vital educational institution of The United Methodist Church. The university’s welcoming environment provided an ideal setting for this diverse group of leaders to grow together in knowledge and faith.

"The African church is vibrant and growing, and this gathering was an opportunity to equip leaders with tools to ensure faithful stewardship and sound administrative practices," said GCFA Board of Directors Chairperson Bishop David Graves.  "The energy and commitment of those in attendance were truly inspiring, and we look forward to the fruit that will come from the seed we collectively planted throughout the Connection across Africa."

In addition to skills sessions for various job roles, the Quadrennial Training Event held four plenary sessions, one of which focused on General Agency Resources for the Central Conferences. That plenary featured speakers from Wespath Benefits, The Connectional Table, United Methodist Communications, and Discipleship Ministries.

“As we return to our respective episcopal areas and annual conferences, we carry with us not just new knowledge, but a renewed confidence that the Church in Africa is not only surviving; it is flourishing. And, indeed the future of The United Methodist Church is in safe, faithful hands,” said Bishop Ande Emmanuel, Resident Bishop of Nigeria and Mission Districts of Senegal and Cameroon Episcopal Area.

GCFA is committed to providing resources and training opportunities that strengthen the connectional ministries of the church worldwide. This Quadrennial Training Event continues a tradition of empowering leaders to serve with integrity and excellence.

“This event was a Godsend,” said GCFA Board of Directors Central Conferences member Pastor Francisco Bernardo Neto. “This was a trip that has changed my life.”

For more information about the General Council on Finance and Administration and its ongoing work, please visit www.gcfa.org.

Media Contact:

Brandy Bivens

Chief Communications Officer General Council on Finance and Administration

Phone: 615-369-2338

Email: bbivens@gcfa.org