On March 23, 2025 at St. Peter’s Cathedral of the United Methodist Church, Burundi Annual Conference held a Special Sunday Service, where Bishop-Elect Dr. Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA of Burundi and Rwanda Annual Conferences participated in the first Sunday service since elected by Africa Central Conference in South Africa on March 15. 2025.
The Guests of honor in attendance were deputy Legal representative, nine district superintendents, Governor of Gitega province, some board chairpersons, conference men president and two guests from GBGM development unit. Conference men president, Honorable NSHIMIRIMANA Georges who also attended the Africa Central Conference as an observer, explained in brief how a new bishop was elected. It should be known that three more bishops from Zimbabwe, Angola and Mozambique were also elected.
Rev. Julien MBONABUCA and Marie MANISHA on behalf of NYABUGOGO parish awarded the bishop-elect an honorary gift for being elected as the bishop of Burundi and Rwanda Annual Conferences.
Gitega District superintendent, Rev. Lazare BANKURUNAZE who was also running for the Episcopacy, on behalf of believers of Gitega district and himself welcomed the guests of honor and wish them all the best. The Reverend in brief insisted to believers to respect the UMC’s book of discipline and collaborate with new elected bishop to strengthen unity and dignity of the church nationally and internationally.
The bishop-elect Dr. Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA warmly welcomed special guests and thanked God for everything. He told the congregation to be calm and assured the church that no one would be the victim of this election. The bishop insisted that, the church must be disciplined and what had happened in the past must be stopped and obey rules and order of the book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. He also reminded the church members to immediately stop all kind of creating any uncertainty in church that might hinder the unity of the church.
He told the church that election was over and now is time to build the church spiritually and physically. The bishop Dr. Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA shared Sunday sermon from Mathew 5: 46 – 48. Based on this word of God, the bishop told believers to strengthen unity among UMC members despite of their differences. He encouraged for strong love among church members and strive to achieve perfection, just as their heavenly Father is perfect.
He also called the church leaders to prove that they are true light of others as that is what our Redeemer Jesus Christ expects from them.