The United Methodist Church Welcomes Four New Bishops in Africa

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Global UMC

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa _ The United Methodist Church is welcoming four new bishops who were elected Saturday, March 15, during the Africa Central Conference session in Johannesburg, South Africa.  The bishops were consecrated on Sunday, March 16.

 The four are:

  • Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera of Burundi;
  • Bishop Moisés Bernardo Jungo of Angola;
  • Bishop Gift Kudakwashe Machinga of Zimbabwe;
  • Bishop Filimone Sambo of Mozambique.

Bishop Thomas Bickerton and Bishop LaTrelle Easterling were the presiding officers on behalf of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church.

Bishop Sinzohagera

Bishop Sinzohagera, 50, the former dean of the Cabinet and speaker of the Senate in Burundi, was elected on the first ballot in the session. He noted that his vision for Burundi is to remain in The United Methodist Church and to offer hope for love and service and continued ministry in Burundi.

He has previously served as local church pastor, district superintendent, deputy legal representative and conference secretary. He is the founder of the Burundi United Methodist Development Agency.

Bishop Sinzohagera holds multiple degrees in finance and business administration, a bachelor of theology from the International Leadership University in Burundi and a master’s degree from Africa University in Zimbabwe. He also has doctorates from the University of Nicosia and United Methodist-related Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington.

Bishop Sinzohagera is married to the Rev. Uwimana Delphine, and they have four children.

Bishop Jungo

Bishop Jungo, 59, was elected on the ninth ballot and noted that his goal was to promote unity in the church, developing institutions of higher learning and sustainability.  He called for ratification of regionalization amendments passed by the General Conference last year.

Bishop Jungo has previously served as president of the West Angola Conference board of ordained ministry, chair of the conference research committee and president of holdings and investments for the conference.

He also was vice president of the Methodist University of Angola board and chair on the West Angola Conference episcopacy committee.

He has a bachelor’s degree in theology from Africa University, the pan-African United Methodist university. He holds a master’s degree in government and public management from Agostinho Neto University.

Bishop Jungo is married to Ana José Queta Jungo, and they have seven children.

Bishop Machinga

Bishop Machinga, 61, was elected on the 12th ballot he called on both clergy and laity in Zimbabwe to journey with him as “we take The United Methodist Church to another level.”

Bishop Machinga has previously served as local church pastor, district superintendent, conference secretary, chair of the board of ordained ministry, and chair of the board of discipleship. He is a board member of Africa Upper Room Ministries and the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters.

He holds a diploma in theology, a master’s in religious education and a Doctor of Ministry degree.

Bishop Machinga is married to Deacon Mazvita Machinga, a United Methodist chaplain and psychotherapist who leads a pastoral counseling service. They have two daughters. 

Bishop Sambo

Bishop Sambo, 53, was elected on the 14th ballot. He called for the church in Africa to be united and to continue to contextualize evangelism in the African culture and tradition.

He has served as assistant and episcopal secretary to Bishop Joaquina F. Nhanala in the Mozambique episcopal area. He has also served as Africa Lusophone correspondent for United Methodist News.

Before serving in the episcopal office, he had appointments as a youth chairman, pastor, annual conference chaplain, episcopal coordinator for relief and emergencies and professor and chaplain at United Methodist-related Cambine Theological Seminary in Mozambique.

Bishop Sambo holds a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Africa University in Zimbabwe and a Master of Divinity with a specialization in church and community leadership from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta.

He is married to Délia Ester Matsinhe Sambo and they have four children. 

Episcopal assignments

After the consecration service, the new bishops were assigned to the following episcopal areas

  • Bishop Sinzohagera to the Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area;
  • Bishop Jungo to the East Angola Episcopal Area;
  • Bishop Machinga to the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area;
  • Bishop Sambo to the Mozambique Episcopal Area.

The conference also celebrated the retirement of the following bishops:

  • Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of Zimbabwe Episcopal Area;
  • Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala of Mozambique Episcopal Area;
  • Bishop Jose Quipungo of East Angola Episcopal Area.

The gathering also marked the last session of the Africa Central Conference, which has been divided into the East Africa Central Conference and the Southern Africa Central Conference.

Bishop Daniel Wandabula was named as the president of the College of Bishops for East Africa Central Conference while Bishop Gaspar Domingos was named the president of the College of Bishops for the Southern Africa Central Conference.

The Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga serves as communications director for the Council of Bishops.