About Us

About East Africa Annual Conference

The East Africa Annual Conference covers 2.85 million square kilometers, with a total population of 172.725. Nearly 50% of the population are under the age of 14, with very a high illiteracy rate. Social infrastructures including schools, hospitals and clinics, roads, electric power supplies were destroyed; even the rich farm lands were contaminated by chemical bombs. 

The local Churches are organized into districts, under the leadership of District Superintendents who provide leadership within the districts and in the conference. In addition, each district has a dean of Superintendent who provides leadership in each of the five countries- Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda Uganda and Southern Sudan. For over two and half decades these five countries experienced brutal civil wars and conflict, which have caused unimaginable suffering and displacement of people. “There is a whole generation that has lived their entire life in internally displaced camps”

The East Africa Annual Conference led by Bishop Daniel Wandabula is distinctly different from other annual conferences in Africa. The five states have different legislations relating to church registration and operations. The East Africa Annual conference is making impressive achievement under dynamic leadership of Bishop Daniel Wandabula. The conference has a ten year strategic plan that outlines the strategic focus on the development of the church’s capacity and promotion of community welfare.

The structure of the United Methodist church

The structure of the United Methodist Church is connectional, there is a relationship between an Individual church member, Local Church, District, Annual conference, Jurisdiction and the General church.

Individuals attend a local Church, they may or may not all be members, many people attend a local Church. Each local church is part of a geographical area called districts.

An annual conference is a regional area; an annual conference is comprised of many districts. There are 63 Annual Conferences in the United States and several more around the world. Each Annual conference is part of a geographical region called a Jurisdiction, East Africa Annual conference belongs to Africa Central Conference. Africa Central Conference is part of the 7 Central conferences outside the United States of America.

All these are part of the General Church; we all give our time, talents and gifts to support each other and others around the world.

That is why the United Methodist Church is called connectional, because we are connected, we can do more together than we can do alone.

What do United Methodists believe?

With Christians of other communions we confess and belief in the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This confession embraces the biblical witness to God's activity in creation, encompasses God's gracious self-involvement in the dramas of history, and anticipates the consummation of God's reign.

The created order is designed for the well-being of all creatures and as the place of human dwelling in covenant with God. As sinful creatures, however, we have broken that covenant, become estranged from God, wounded ourselves and one another, and wreaked havoc throughout the natural order. We stand in need of redemption.

" ... Because God truly loves us in spite of our willful sin, God judges us, summons us to repentance, pardons us, receives us by that grace given to us in Jesus Christ, and gives us hope of life eternal."

Our Symbol

Each time you see the cross and flame emblem, you are looking at United Methodism's official symbol.

Known informally as the cross and flame logo but formally known as the denomination's insignia, it has been in use nearly three decades. It is seen in cities, towns and rural areas at every point on the globe.

The insignia is a cross linked with a dual flame. This symbol relates our church to God by way of the second and third persons of the Trinity; the Christ (cross) and the Holy Spirit (flame).

Apart from Wesleyan Trinitarian theology and warmth, the flame has two other connotations. The flame suggests Pentecost when witnesses saw "tongues as of fire." And the duality of the flame was meant to represent the merger in 1968 of two denominations: The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.

Background of The United Methodist Denomination

United Methodists often joke about the many organizational layers of church life, but, as members of other denominations have been heard to say: “If you want something done, get the Methodists to do it.” Followers of the Wesleys (John Wesley is the founder of what is now known as the United Methodist Church) are indeed “methodical” about the ways they approach mission and ministry.
One reason United Methodists are able to accomplish great things is the church’s emphasis on “connectionalism.” It is common to hear United Methodist leaders speak of the denomination as “the connection.” This concept has been central to Methodism from its beginning.
The United Methodist Church, which began as a movement and a loose network of local societies with a mission, has grown into one of the most carefully organized and largest denominations in the world. The United Methodist structure and organization began as a means of accomplishing the mission of spreading Scriptural Holiness over the land. John Wesley recognized the need for an organized system of communication and accountability and developed what he called the “connexion,” which was an interlocking system of classes, societies, and annual conferences. (UM Member’s Handbook, p 24)
No local church is the total body of Christ. Therefore, local United Methodist churches are bound together by a common mission and common governance that accomplish reaching out into the world. United Methodist churches and organizations join in mission with each other and with other denominations.
Connectionalism shows through the clergy appointment system, through the developing of mission and ministry that United Methodists do together, and through giving.
An example of connectionalism: Mission work around the world, whether it be a new university in Africa or bicycles for Cuban pastors, is the work of “the connection,” as opposed to the work of a single congregation.