-Breakaway group emerges, as UMC splits at 192nd Annual Conference in Gbarnga
The United Methodist Church in Liberia is currently facing internal division over the endorsement of same-sex-marriage and the situation has further exacerbated at the Church’s ongoing 192nd Annual Conference in Gbarnga.
The rift has led to the emergence of a breakaway group, the Liberia United Methodists for Biblical Christianity (LUMBC)–anti-regionalization faction convenes a conference concurrently with UMC’s Bishop Quire’s group at different locations.
The new group, which split from the mother body at the beginning of the conference, emphasizes adherence to traditional biblical teachings and opposes practices such as same-sex marriage. They are planning to establish a new denomination, the Global United Methodist Church, which will be officially launched in February 2025.
The LUMBC’s conference is being held under the theme: “Wake up to the dawning of a new day: Redeeming the church from scriptural compromise,” with text taken from the Holy Bible of Isaiah 60: 1-2 and Ephesians 5: 14-17, while the UMC hosts its 192nd annual convention on the St. John United Methodist Church compound in Gbarnga, Bong County.
Officials from the breakaway group have revealed their intention to establish a new denomination, emphasizing their dedication to adhering to biblical principles and spiritual values. Speaking to reporters in Gbarnga, Reverends Paye Mondolo and Prince Sayekwee announced the formation of the Global United Methodist Church (GUMC), which is set to be inaugurated on Friday, February 14, 2025. The new denomination aims to uphold biblical teachings and educate existing United Methodist Church congregations on what they perceive as the adverse effects of current church policies, particularly regarding homosexuality.
The decision to form the Global United Methodist Church was influenced by the members of the anti-regionalization belief that Bishop Samuel J. Quire has been increasingly supportive of practices they consider contrary to biblical teachings.
The breakaway group stated that Bishop Quire did not comply with an ultimatum urging him to reconsider his position on homosexuality and lesbianism. Consequently, they have chosen to disassociate from the Liberia Annual Conference.
“The time given to the bishop has passed. So, we want to let our people know that we are going to establish the Global United Methodist Church. We will move our churches to the new denomination because the United Methodist Church no longer aligns with the Bible,” Rev. Mondolo said.
In April 2024, the global United Methodist Church passed a regionalization law during its general conference, which some claim endorses same-sex marriage within the church.
“We are standing on biblical principles. We believe in the word of God, and we need to uphold what is right in compliance with biblical teachings,” Rev. Mondolo said.
Leaders of the new group aim to inform United Methodist Church members about what they believe are the adverse effects of the church’s current position, particularly regarding homosexuality. Their decision to disaffiliate was prompted by what they perceive as Bishop Quire’s growing support for practices they deem incompatible with their beliefs.
Ultimately, they chose to withdraw from the Liberia Annual Conference due to Bishop Quire’s failure to address their concerns regarding his stance on homosexuality and lesbianism.
“The time given to the bishop has passed. So, we want to let our people know that we are going to establish the Global United Methodist Church. We will move our churches to the new denomination because the United Methodist Church no longer aligns with the Bible,” Rev. Mondolo declared.
We Cannot Endorse Same-sex-Marriage
Reverend Dr. Jerry Kulah, one of the main leaders of the breakaway group, told the members that they will be going to the Global Methodist Church on grounds that they cannot endorse same-sex marriage.
“We cannot endorse regionalization because we cannot regionalize the church; we cannot regionalize sin, and we cannot regionalize the Bible,” he added.
Rev. Dr. Kulah also noted that such practices contradict Liberian laws and values, which are distinct from those in the United States and Europe.
Dr. Kulah further argued that such teachings directly contradict the doctrine of the Holy Bible, which recognizes marriage solely as a union between a man and a woman.
Notwithstanding, the National Traditional Liaison Officer of Liberia, William B S Kollie, who made a remark at the ceremony admonished members of the Liberia United Methodists for Biblical Christianity not to accept gayism in the Church.
Mr. Kollie said any attempt to endorse gay marriage by the United Methodist Church in Liberia will be rejected by the National Traditional of Chiefs and the government of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
He said the constitution of Liberia does not support said practice and at the same time condemned practice.
Meanwhile, the 192nd United Methodist Church Liberia Annual Conference (UMC/LAC) which is headed by Bishop Samuel Quire, Jr., conference is being hosted at the St. John United Methodist Church compound in Gbarnga, and it is held under theme: “And know that I Am God” with text taken Psalm 46: 1-11 in Gbarnga, Bong County.
Additionally, the United Methodist Church Bishop rubbished speculation, adding that United Methodist Church is not a gay Church and will never support same-sex marriage in the Church.
Bishop Quire on February 13, 2025, addressed to the members denied allegations that the Church leadership in Liberia has supported the “New Regionalization Laws” that demand Pastors to conduct same-sex marriages in the UMC and encourage members to abide by it.
“There has been a rumor on social media and the traditional media in Liberia that I, Bishop Samuel Quire, Jr., was even going to perform same-sex marriage,” he noted.
Quire lamented that the United Methodist Church is not a gay Church and will not practice gay weddings or ordain people who are gay.
The Bishop revealed that the Church’s doctrine is deeply rooted in the interpretation of biblical teaching, culture, values, and shared commitments towards holding marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
