By Benjamin Musasizi |August 4th, 2025
The East Africa Episcopal Area leadership, led by Bishop Daniel Wandabula, embarked on a groundbreaking mission to Gambella, Ethiopia from July 28th to August 2nd , 2025. This visit, far more than a ceremonial tour, marked a significant milestone in the journey of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in East Africa especially in Ethiopia as the church embraces a new vision rooted in regionalization, spiritual renewal, leadership development, and gender inclusivity.
The mission was part of the Regionalization Training and Sensitization Initiative, a broader denominational movement aimed at empowering United Methodist regions around the world to operate with greater contextual relevance and self-governance, while remaining deeply connected to the church’s global mission and Wesleyan theology. For Ethiopia, this mission was especially timely, offering a bold affirmation of the church’s growing maturity, ownership, and leadership potential.
Accompanying Bishop Wandabula on this historic journey were Rev. Godfrey Wamukolo, the Administrative Assistant to the Bishop; Mr. Arthur Isubikalu, Conference Financial Administrator and Treasurer of the East Africa Central Conference; and Ms. Faith Christine Otana, Conference Treasurer of the Uganda–Sudan–South Sudan Annual Conference. Together, this delegation brought spiritual depth, strategic insight, and financial expertise to the growing United Methodist community in Ethiopia.
Upon arrival in Gambella, the delegation received a joyous, Spirit-filled welcome from clergy, laity, and church members gathered from across the country. Led by the outgoing District Superintendent, Rev. Obang Olumo Okello, the reception reflected the vibrant faith and unity of the Ethiopian church. A thanksgiving service immediately followed at which Bishop Wandabula offered a pastoral message of encouragement, calling the church to deeper faithfulness, unity, and contextual mission.
A defining aspect of the mission was the deepening of connectional commitment on the part of Ethiopian United Methodists. The local church community generously contributed to the mission’s expenses covering travel, hospitality, and logistical support. This act of stewardship signaled a shift from dependency to ownership, highlighting the Ethiopian church’s readiness to engage in the church’s global future with integrity and sacrificial partnership.
Among the most historic outcomes of the visit was the appointment of Ethiopia’s first female District Superintendent. Her installation is a milestone not only for the Ethiopian church but also for the East Africa Episcopal Area, reflecting the United Methodist Church’s commitment to gender equity and inclusive leadership. She succeeds Rev. Okello, who has now been assigned to lead the formation of a new district in a yet-underserved region of Ethiopia. This leadership transition and strategic expansion speak to the church’s vision for growth, contextual engagement, and sustainability.
The heart of the mission centered on a five-day leadership and regionalization workshop, which brought together pastors, lay leaders, youth, and administrators from all three Ethiopian districts. The workshop addressed key topics including effective district administration, theological foundations for regionalization, financial accountability, and Wesleyan models of governance. Rev. Wamukolo facilitated sessions on mission alignment and leadership strategy, while Mr. Isubikalu and Ms. Otana led sessions on budgeting, transparent reporting, and local stewardship practices. The training offered practical tools for church leaders to lead with integrity, accountability, and boldness in their unique ministry contexts.
During one of the central worship moments, Bishop Wandabula preached a sermon titled “Called to Lead with Wisdom and Grace”, based on Proverbs 3:5–6 and James 1:5. He exhorted leaders to trust in God, walk with humility, and seek divine wisdom in their decisions. “You are a light in this region,” he declared. “Gambella is not forgotten it is central to our mission and our future.”
Another highlight of the visit was the formal launch of the Ethiopia United Methodist Church Executive Committee, a new national leadership body responsible for overseeing both the spiritual and administrative functions of the church. This committee, rooted in transparency and collaborative governance, will operate under four guiding principles: accountability, inclusivity, unity in diversity, and mission-driven connectionalism.
To further strengthen the trust and accountability between the Ethiopian church and its global partners, Bishop Wandabula introduced the 2025 GBGM Repayment Plan. This plan outlines a commitment to repay an outstanding balance of $47,807.99 to the General Board of Global Ministries, with each district contributing $664 per quarter from August 2025 through May 2026. “This is more than a financial plan,” the bishop noted. “It is a sign of trust—a symbol of integrity in our partnership with the global church.”
As the mission concluded, Bishop Wandabula offered a powerful prayer of thanksgiving and commissioning, affirming the work done in Gambella as a Spirit-led step forward. “We are not turning inward,” he said. “We are leaning forward local in expression, global in connection.” The mission to Gambella will be remembered as a turning point in Ethiopia’s United Methodist story. It confirmed that no place is too remote, and no community too small, for the transforming power of the gospel. As the East Africa Episcopal Area continues to grow and regionalize across Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, Gambella now stands as a beacon of what is possible when leadership is Spirit-led, mission-focused, and rooted in local identity.