The leadership of the United Methodist Church, UMC, in Nigeria has called on the international Christian community and other stakeholders to intervene in the ongoing fracas between them and the breakaway faction of the church, the Global Methodist Church, GMC.
Reacting to the recent attack on the Bamyam Theological Seminary in Bambur, Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, UMC emphasized the need for justice, hence the urgent call for the international Christian community to wade in.
In a statement signed and made available to journalists in Jalingo on Wednesday by the church’s bishop, Ande I. Emmanuel, UMC in Nigeria vowed to resist any efforts to erase its presence from the country.
The church also criticized the breakaway faction, which, according to them, is vehemently working around the clock to seize UMC properties despite having already separated from the denomination.
“UMC leaders characterized these actions as being driven by greed, division, and lawlessness rather than a genuine theological divergence,” Emmanuel said.
Describing the attack—which they said involved the vandalization of UMC landmarks, signposts, and logos at the seminary chapel—as an attempt to erase the church’s identity and heritage, they vowed to protect the legacy of the church in Nigeria.
“We will not allow the legacy of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria to be destroyed by those who seek to rewrite history through violence,” the statement read.
Linking the incident to a series of violent acts allegedly orchestrated by the GMC, they cited the “illegal occupation of UMC properties, the December 15th killing of 27-year-old Masoyi and two infants in Munga Dosso, and the burning of a UMC worship center in Keru, Benue District.”
The statement also accused the GMC of carrying out a coordinated campaign of intimidation, violence, and forceful takeover of UMC properties in Nigeria.
Church officials expressed frustration over the alleged lack of response from GMC bishops Scott Jones and John Peña, despite repeated attempts to initiate dialogue and prevent further violence. “Their silence is not just negligence; it signals complicity,” the statement read.
UMC leaders alleged that the GMC is using threats and violence to pressure United Methodist members into joining their denomination rather than engaging in peaceful discourse.
“Despite the attacks, we urge our members to remain calm and not be intimidated. Our faith is built on truth and justice, not on fear or force,” the church stated, vowing to resist any attempt to erase its presence in Nigeria.
At the time of filing this report, the GMC had yet to issue a statement on the crisis, which our reporter learned occurred on Monday.
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