Zimbabwe Added as Second General Conference Site for United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church has added Harare, Zimbabwe, as a second site for its 2028 General Conference, addressing challenges posed by U.S. travel restrictions. This decision marks the first time in history that the denomination’s top legislative assembly will convene across two locations, with part of the event taking place on the African continent. The move reflects the growing presence of United Methodists in Africa, where the church is experiencing significant expansion.

The Commission on the General Conference selected Harare after extensive discussions during its October 26-27 online meeting. The decision to hold the May 8-16, 2028, assembly across two sites presented logistical complexities, particularly with the time difference between Minneapolis and Harare. Rev. Andy Call, chair of the commission, acknowledged the challenge, noting the need to include as many participants as possible despite the difficulties.

Organizers faced a choice between Winnipeg, Canada, and Harare. While Winnipeg shares the same time zone as Minneapolis, Canada has also experienced travel restrictions. These limitations were evident at the recent Leadership Gathering, where 46 of the 281 participants could not obtain required visas. This included several bishops and nearly all Congolese delegates, who were barred due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, home to the second-largest United Methodist population after the U.S.

Zimbabwe’s selection also fulfills a prior commitment. Before the pandemic disrupted General Conference plans, organizers had intended to hold the 2028 assembly in Harare. The country, which has a strong United Methodist presence, was an appealing choice. Bishop Gift Machinga, leader of the church in Zimbabwe, welcomed the decision to host the event in Harare.

Minneapolis was chosen as the main site for the 2028 General Conference, fulfilling another promise. The city had originally hosted the 2020 General Conference, which was postponed due to the pandemic and later moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. By returning to Minneapolis, the commission aims to leverage existing credits to reduce costs.

Source: Read the original report