Rev. João Sambo has been elected as a United Methodist bishop during the Africa Central Conference held in Johannesburg. Elected on the 14th ballot, he aims to empower leadership and foster unity in Africa. Following his consecration, he succeeds Bishop Joaquina Nhanala and will serve the Mozambique Episcopal Area. The Africa Central Conference is now splitting into the East Africa and Southern Africa regions, enabling localized mission work and church governance.
The Rev. João Sambo has been elected as a United Methodist bishop during the Africa Central Conference. This milestone occurred on March 15 after several rounds of voting, solidifying his place as the fourth bishop and the third graduate of Africa University to be elected by the conference. This conference is currently poised to divide into two new regions: East Africa and Southern Africa.
During the election, Sambo received 43 out of 60 valid votes, surpassing the 40 votes needed for election. He expressed surprise at his election, stating, “I expected the election, but I was not sure. I am overwhelmed. I know the responsibility is huge.” His vision emphasizes training leadership in Mozambique and fostering unity among African countries to contextualize evangelism within local culture.
Following his consecration on March 16, Sambo was assigned to the Mozambique Episcopal Area, succeeding Bishop Joaquina F. Nhanala, the first female bishop in Africa. His episcopal area includes the Mozambique North, Mozambique South, and South Africa Provisional conferences, along with the growing United Methodist communities in Madagascar.
Bishops within the Africa Central Conference serve a renewable four-year term and have lifetime eligibility if re-elected. The recent restructuring has classified the conference into the East Africa and Southern Africa regions, each comprising various annual conferences and United Methodist ministries.
The East Africa Central Conference includes congregations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Burundi, which recently reunited with the United Methodist Church after years of division. Meanwhile, the Southern Africa Central Conference encompasses regions such as Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Sambo has a significant record within the church, having served as administrative assistant and episcopal secretary since 2022. His responsibilities have included roles in youth leadership, pastoral care, and academic positions at Cambine Theological Seminary, in addition to his contributions as a correspondent for United Methodist News.
He has been involved in church services since his baptism in 1985 and holds degrees from Africa University and Emory University, including specialized training in community leadership. Sambo, along with his wife, Délia Ester Matsinhe Sambo, is the parent of four children. The United Methodist Church comprises eight central conferences globally, with the recent inclusions of Southern Africa and East Africa aimed at allowing local adaptation of church policies.
Bishops in the United Methodist Church are ordained elders tasked with leading the church’s spiritual and organizational duties, which include appointing clergy and addressing complaints under church law. His election marks a significant development in the church’s leadership within the context of Africa’s administrative changes.
The election of Rev. João Sambo as a bishop signifies a transformative moment for the United Methodist Church in Africa. His commitment to empowering leadership and unifying church efforts across the continent reflects a vision necessary for contextual evangelism. As the newly assigned bishop of the Mozambique Episcopal Area, he stands ready to lead in an evolving religious landscape following the recent structural changes of the Africa Central Conference.
Original Source: www.umnews.org
