Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
With profound joy and heartfelt thanksgiving, I greet you in the name of our risen Lord as we gather for this historic Convening Annual Conference. This sacred occasion, birthed on the 14th of February 2025 in the city of Gbarnga, Bong County, marks the beginning of a new Wesleyan expression, deeply rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ignited with the mission to make disciples and spread scriptural holiness throughout Liberia, Africa, and the world.
As we come together under the Spirit-led theme, “Growing Christian Disciples for the Transformation of the Church and Society,” anchored in Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 5:17, may your hearts be renewed with a fresh sense of divine calling. Our Lord’s commission is clear: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” and in Christ, “the old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” You are called to build a church where holiness is not only professed but lived — a church that worships passionately, loves extravagantly, and witnesses boldly.
It is with deep sorrow that I acknowledge the trials and persecutions you have endured as you steadfastly defend the authority of Scripture and uphold our shared confessions in the Scripture. Yet, even in the furnace of opposition, the Lord’s refining fire purifies His people, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness
This conference is not merely a gathering; it is a declaration that the Holy Spirit is moving across the land of Liberia to raise a generation of faithful followers who will ignite transformation in both church and society. May our deliberations be seasoned with grace, our fellowship filled with love, and our vision fixed on Christ, who is the head of the Church.
May this conference strengthen our resolve, deepen our faith, and renew our vision. As we deliberate, let the Spirit’s wisdom direct our steps; as we worship, let His presence fill us with courage; and as we witness, let His love flow through us with unshakable compassion. Together, we will build a church where passion for God, extravagant love for neighbour, and boldness in testimony shine brightly amid any adversity.
On behalf of the Global Methodist Church worldwide, the Assembly of Bishop and my family. I affirm your labour, bless our gathering, and commit this holy assembly into the care and power of the Holy Spirit. May this be a conference that births renewal, inspires mission, and deepens our unity in Christ.
In Christ’s service,
Bishop John Pena Auta
Episcopal Leader
Global Methodist Church – Liberia Episcopal Area
