REALIGNMENT OF CONFERENCES IN EAST AFRICA

Posted Wednesday, January 15, 2025 5:26 pm

By The Board of Bishops, The A.M.E. Zion Church

At the last General Conference whilst Bishop Dogbe was presiding and the Episcopal Committee had presented its report, a conversation ensued on the floor of the conference to which Bishop Dogbe addressed the house and ended the debate. Among other things, he indicated that once the bishops assigned to the work in East Africa get to visit the area, they will bring forward any recommendations on how the work should be divided, if needed.

The three Bishops assigned the work in East Africa, Bishop Dogbe, Bishop Effiong and Bishop Ngunza have visited, engaged and have assessed the work. We want to suggest that the current permutations are not the best, taking into consideration several factors. Though we understand the rationale, we think to continue as it will put undue stress and strain on the bishops and on the work.

The history of the conferences, location of the countries/conferences and their proximity to each other, geopolitical histories and affinities and cultural identities, etc., all need to be considered for effective work.

After careful consideration and engagement, and having considered the above factors, we have approved a realignment of the conferences as follows:

That the conferences of Rwanda, Burundi, North Kivu, and South Kivu be aligned with Western West Africa;
⁠That the Uganda Conference and the provisional conferences of Tanzania and Kenya be aligned to Eastern West Africa and
⁠That the Provisional Conference of Zambia is aligned with Central South Africa.

Sincerely, the Board of Bishops

Bishop U.U. Effiong, President

Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Senior Bishop

Bishop W. Darin Moore

Bishop George D. Crenshaw

Bishop Hilliard Dogbe

Bishop Brian R. Thompson

Bishop Eric L. Leake

Bishop Daran H. Mitchell

Bishop Anthony N. Witherspoon

Bishop Melanie Miller

Bishop Dwayne A. Walker