Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
UNITED Methodist Church (UMC) Northern Katanga Episcopal Area Bishop Rev Mande Muyombo has affirmed Africa’s spiritual independence, declaring that African Methodists will not be swayed by American ideologies that contradict their cultural and biblical values.
Speaking at a revival service in Harare on Sunday, the bishop reiterated the position held by many African UMC leaders on homosexuality, saying the practice was incompatible with both biblical teaching and African tradition.
“In Dallas, Texas, they asked why we Africans voted against same-sex marriage. I said, because it is against our values. It is against who we are as Africans,” he said.
Bishop Muyombo pointed out that the UMC Book of Discipline gives regional conferences the right to define marriage in accordance with their national laws, further justifying Africa’s position.
“So do not go around and tell lies about us. We believe this is what the Bible says. The Bible is very clear about it.”
Quoting the Zimbabwe’s Marriage Act of 2022, he stated that marriage is between a man and a woman. Bishop Muyombo said, “America is not heaven” and urged African UMC members to reject the notion that the United States should dictate the direction of the global church.
“Who told you that America is heaven?” he asked. “Who told you that America has to tell us what to do?”
Bishop Muyombo emphasised the importance of anchoring faith in African identity, values, and customs.
“The God I believe in is not white. God is God, because I have experience with Him,” he said. “The church is not in New York. The church is in Umisha. In our villages. That’s where the church is.”
