MONROVIA – By hosting the Africa College of Bishops Meeting for the first time, Liberia gains a continental platform. The United Methodist gathering centers faith, leadership and institutional reflection. Thirteen active bishops, five retired bishops and Council of Bishops President Ruben Saenz Jr. are expected to attend. Their presence places Liberia within discussions affecting the church’s mission across Africa. The program reaches beyond worship. It includes dialogue on episcopal administration, district supervision, judicial questions, peace, education, healthcare, agriculture and sustainable community development. Ecumenical participation from Liberia’s Christian leadership also broadens the gathering’s national meaning. The Liberia Annual Conference can demonstrate hospitality and strengthen regional relationships. The gathering, which will open today at Farmington Hotel, presents Liberia as a place for reconciliation and Christian fellowship, as The Analyst reports.
The Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church is hosting the 2026 Africa College of Bishops Meeting beginning Sunday, August 30, 2026. According to Special Committee Chairperson Mother Medina Wesseh, the gathering will bring together church leaders from across Africa for episcopal leadership, theological reflection, regional dialogue and institutional deliberations.
Wesseh disclosed that 13 active and five retired bishops are expected to attend, along with President of the Council of Bishops Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. and several other distinguished church leaders. The gathering marks a significant moment for Liberia as the country hosts the Africa College of Bishops Meeting for the first time.
Liberia Hosts Historic Gathering
The meeting will provide an opportunity for the bishops to engage in prayer, fellowship, reflection and discussions on matters affecting the United Methodist Church and its mission across the African continent. Organizers expect the gathering to strengthen relationships among bishops and deepen collaboration across episcopal areas.
The conference will also provide a platform for addressing emerging challenges and opportunities confronting the church in Africa. Participants are expected to examine how United Methodist leadership can respond to the spiritual, institutional and social needs of congregations and communities across the continent.
The Liberia Annual Conference considers the hosting of the Africa College of Bishops Meeting a historic opportunity to showcase Liberia’s contribution to the worldwide United Methodist movement. It also sees the gathering as an opportunity to strengthen the country’s position as a place for Christian fellowship, dialogue, reconciliation and ecumenical engagement.
Participants will reflect on the church’s role in promoting peace, justice, leadership development, education, healthcare, agriculture and sustainable community development across Africa. Those discussions will connect the church’s spiritual mission with its longstanding involvement in social and community development.
Reeves Addresses Opening Session
Wesseh disclosed that Liberia Council of Churches President Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Reeves Jr. will serve as keynote speaker during the opening session. Reeves’ participation, she noted, will highlight the importance of ecumenical engagement and the longstanding contribution of Christian institutions to Liberia’s peace, development, education and social transformation.
Reeves also serves as president of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention. His appearance at the United Methodist gathering will bring the perspective of Liberia’s broader Christian community to the continental meeting.
Wesseh stated that the thanksgiving service will bring together scores of United Methodists from across Africa, the United States of America and other parts of the world. The service will form part of the gathering’s program of prayer, fellowship, leadership and thanksgiving.
Special Committee Chairperson Wesseh further disclosed that Bishop L. Jonathan Holston of the Southeastern Jurisdiction’s Alabama-West Florida Episcopal Area will deliver the thanksgiving service message. His participation will add to the gathering’s representation from the wider global United Methodist community.
Leadership Presentations Shape Program
As part of the meeting’s program, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia Counsellor N. Oswald Tweh will lead a presentation on Liberia’s judicial issues and other regional policy matters. Tweh is a former president of the United Methodist Church Judicial Council.
Retired Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa of the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area will also deliver a presentation titled, “The Role of Bishops and District Superintendents.” His presentation will focus on episcopal leadership, the responsibilities of district superintendents, effective administration and mentorship.
Nhiwatiwa will also address the role of church leaders in strengthening the mission and ministry of the United Methodist Church. Organizers expect the leadership discussions to provide practical reflection on administration and cooperation across episcopal areas.
The presentations form part of the meeting’s broader focus on faith, leadership, institutional learning and the future of the church’s mission in Africa. They will allow participants to examine both internal church administration and wider judicial and policy matters.
Quire Welcomes Visiting Bishops
Liberia Annual Conference Resident Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire Jr. stated that officials and members of the church in Liberia are proud to welcome the visiting bishops and church leaders. He reflected on the generosity of United Methodists across Liberia and expressed hope for a fruitful gathering.
Quire stated that he looks forward to a meeting marked by faith, fellowship, leadership, learning and thanksgiving to God. His welcome reflected the Liberia Annual Conference’s expectation that the historic meeting will strengthen relationships within the church and deepen its continental mission.
The gathering is expected to reinforce Liberia’s place within the worldwide United Methodist movement while exposing visiting leaders to the country’s Christian institutions and traditions. Church officials also expect it to strengthen cooperation on peace, reconciliation, education, and healthcare and community development.
