In October, 2007, at a conference in Memphis, the Rev. Jerry Kulah delivered an unforgettable message to the United Methodist Church.  Rev. Kulah is the District Superintendent of the Monrovia District in Liberia.  His message was endorsed by his Bishop, John G. Innis, and by all twenty members of the Cabinet of Liberia.  Hundreds of other African United Methodists have endorsed this message.

First, Rev. Kulah expressed the following concern:

"We are saddened over the reality that some United Methodist churches of the Euro-Western world have prioritized the issues of homosexuality, abortion, questions about the authenticity of the Scripture as the Word of God, etc., over its commitment to making disciples for Christ.  We seem to hear the lamenting voice of John Wesley to some of us who have chosen to deny cardinal biblical doctrines of the Christian faith, 'I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-which is no gospel at all.'" (Gal. 1:6-7a)

Then Rev. Kulah and his African colleagues recommended that missional priority be given to the following:

*  Fighting deadly diseases, including malaria and AIDS, while also ensuring clean water for all. (3rd John 2)

* Protecting the air, water and land while improving the standard of living for the world's poor.  Declaring solidarity with persecuted Christians everywhere.

* Dispatching missionaries from every region of the church to everywhere there is need for the Gospel for planting new churches and making disciples of the nations.

* Affirming the providential role of the family in God's order of creation.

* Defending the sanctity of all vulnerable human life, including the poor, the elderly, the terminally ill, disabled, and the unborn. (Gen. 1:26, Matt. 25:34-40)

* Guarding the God-given dignity of all persons, no matter their race, ethnicity, or tribe.

* Modeling and advocating the Christian virtues of voluntary charity, individually and corporately, around the world.

* Supporting the restructuring of church agencies to enact the above priorities."

Rev. Kulah concluded with a powerful offer from African Methodists:

"When the baby Jesus was threatened by a vengeful King Herod, the Holy Family fled to Africa for sanctuary (Matt. 2:14-15).  Today, the churches in Africa offer themselves as a sanctuary for God's Word, that the Lord Jesus may use His church here for renewing His church around the world.  We are of the undaunted conviction that if we as United Methodists adhere to the faith of our fathers, based on the Holy Scriptures, and the exercise of discipline and total reliance upon the Holy Spirit, winning the lost at all cost can be a reality in our generation."

Wouldn't it be just like God to choose the least affluent and educationally advanced part of the church to lead the rest of us?!

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