On Saturday 20, 2024 of 7th ordinary plenary session of the United Methodist Church , Burundi Annual Conference continued at the premises of NYABUGOGO parish in Gitega district.
Morning devotion was delivered by Rev. Jean d’Arc NDURURUKIJE the district superintendent of GIHARO District. The scripture reading was from PALMS 46 : 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”.
As it was on the closing day, the conference secretary Reverend NIYIRAGIRA Ladislas started with unfinished report of finance committee and some presentations.
Dr. Claude NYAMWERU, the chairperson of finance committee, presented finance and treasure’s report where he said that every effort has been made to shorten financial report without leaving out relevant information.
In brief, he said that until today the Church’s account at the conference treasure’s books has an amount of BF 571,870,648 and USD 6,286.33 deposited in banks, and that was the first time to announce such amount of money in a plenary session. Dr. Claude NYAMWERU pointed out that the United Methodist Church has armed itself with strong and faithful church leaders. He congratulated Rev Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA, the Legal Representative and Dean of Superintendents for his efforts to develop the Burundi Annual Conference. He added that the finance committee supported by Rev Emmanuel has done everything possible to prevent all the ways in which Church funds have been used illegally in the past years.
It was also a good opportunity for Rev. SOLOMON Rogers to explain about the Church’s plan for agriculture and animal husbandry called “YAMBASU AGRICULTURE INITIATIVE”where he encouraged development agencies in Burundi to take it seriously and build cooperation with ” YAMBASU” project in the future.
Kennedy taught about regionalization in the United Methodist Church. There were so many rules govern regionalization that interested delegates and among them mostly were; “Work with Annual Conference to ensure policies and practices align with the laws in each country “, and cannot “create their own constitution or adopt any policy in violation of the constitution contained in the General Book of Discipline” and that “Effective ministry in every culture”.
Delegates were also informed by Rt. Hon. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA about the names of those appointed to be part of the board which will work a project to establish a radio station of the United Methodist church, Burundi Annual Conference. It should be noted that the program is supported by UMCOM.
Appointed were:
- SABUSHIMIKE Leonidas.
- MUKASHAKA Charlotte
- NIYONGERE Julias
- Rev. NIYIRAGIRA Ladislas
- AHISHAKIYE Didace
- NZEYIMANA Dancile
- NSENGIYUMVA Emmanuel
There also were appointment of pastors in their respective local churches. It was observed that most of the pastors appointed remained in their previous local parish. No, District superintendent was removed or changed to another district.
The Rt. Hon. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA the Dean of Superintendents had an opportunity to address the annual conferences session, where he thanked all the delegates who attended that historical session of Burundi Annual Conference
He also expressed his sincere gratitude to distinguished guests who attended the session from different countries for supporting Burundi Annual Conference programs in this session.
The Reverend in particularly thanked the team that conducted the entire nomination process where transparency was observed from the beginning to the end of the nomination processes.
He also informed the delegates that even after Burundi Annual Conference has a bishop elected in March, 2025, the Church will continue to be peaceful and united. “The church conflict of the past will no longer have a place in our church again,”, he insisted.
To conclude , resident Bishop Daniel WANDABULA reminded delegates those difficult times the United Methodist Church in Burundi went through and thanked God for bringing the church out of such difficulties . The bishop was also pleased with the place the Church has reached so far and once again thanked all those who contributed to make the nomination for Episcopacy processes go smoothly.
He also thanked the invited guests from different countries and delegates who attended the session for every positive contribution they made during the session especially those who provided reports or representations during the session.
The session ended by praising and thanking God with prayers.