The Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMC-N), Bishop Ande Emmanuel has reassured the aggrieved members of the church that the doors are still open for them to return and continue the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Clergy made the statement while fielding questions from journalists in his office in Jalingo, the Capital of Taraba State.
He says the Church has recorded significant achievements under his leadership, including the registration of one thousand and eighty (1080) new members.
“These people were not members of the church before, but willingly they decided to join us within the 2026 quarta alone,” he clarified.
Bishop Ande Emmanuel revealed that about 2,650 members who left as a result of the crisis, are now back as the reconciliation process continues.
According to him, most of their churches are in the rural areas, adding that ever since he became a Bishop, they have opened about 18 new churches in the South-South and South-West parts of the country where there is not much presence of the church.
He said now UMC-N churches in Bayelsa, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Cross River, among others, which he described as the result of the intentional effort put into evangelism.
The Bishop pointed out that, besides peaceful building, the church has also prioritised agriculture as a means of sustaining itself by investing N2.5 billion in the sector and evangelism.
He noted that 75% of the church’s members are agriculturists, hence the need for investment, particularly in rice production as the church has its own rice processing factory in Taraba State.
“We purchased our rice processing mill where we process and take it to the national markets. In fact, during the last rainy season, we happened to be the largest rice producers.
As part of its commitment to youth empowerment, the Bishop announced that the church has introduced a skills acquisition and entrepreneurship program.
He explained that currently, more than 2000 young people are undergoing training on various skills, while some women are also undergoing training on different skills under the women’s leadership training program.
The church has also awarded scholarships to 20 members, mostly women and youth to study abroad, who enrolled in PhD, Ms C, and undergraduate degree programs and they are expected to come and give back to society.
The Spiritual father, further informed that the UMC-N is in partnership with African University Zimbabwe, the University of Liberia, and the University of Sierra Leone.
Additionally, Bishop Ande Emmanuel assured that any member who has the requirements and is willing to go and study in one of these institutions, the church is ever ready to sponsor the person as all these universities are UMC-N related institutions.
The Bishop, however, continues to reassure the aggrieved members of the church that the doors for the reconciliation process will remain open, as the church remains a peaceful denomination and its members are law-abiding citizens.
Sani Sulaiman
