From a humble beginning as a pastor at Wanyange Central Methodist church in Jinja, Bishop Wandabula is blessed. He has ascended from a small village church to an episcopal area covering Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, and Uganda, writes Damalie Kigozi

The soft-spoken and tall preacher addresses everyone as sister or brother. He never thought he could be ordained, consecrated, or chosen among the many who contested for the post of bishop of East Africa Conference of the Methodist Church.

Bishop Daniel Wandabula, son to Mr Wandabula and the late Mrs Wandabula of Wanyange Central in Jinja District attributes his success to the almighty God. He says God comes in at a time when one is almost losing hope.

"The God we believe is a great and mighty God. He is still moving with me to greater heights. We were 41 people contesting for that position of bishop and I emerged the winner. Isn't that great enough to make me worship him the more?"

"I am humbled by the new office but I'm ready to face the challenge," said Wandabula, the new and youngest Episcopal leader of The United Methodist Church." The conference is one of the biggest in Africa.

Concentrated

Since May when he was concentrated as bishop, he has visited the General Board of Global Ministries, Southern Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.

From a humble beginning as a pastor at Wanyange Central Methodist church in Jinja, Bishop Wandabula is blessed. He has ascended from a small village church to an episcopal area covering Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, and Uganda, that has the church's regional head offices. His major challenge is that many of these countries have experienced or are experiencing civil strifes.

And even among these countries where peace agreements have been reached, the situation remains fragile.

However, Wandabula is confident and believes that he will overcome all the tribulations tearing apart countries in the region through collaborating with the people in those countries.

The 41-year-old Wandabula says that the ministry team has long-term goals that address issues such as reconciliation, peace, and national healing. He says that addrressing these issues will assist the church to grow and expand.

The church also plans to respond to the needs of the many refugees, widows, and orphans living in desperate situations, poverty and wars. Achieving unity within the conference is a very big challenge because of the many states the conference covers.

The bishop is therefore seeking to provide nurturing leadership and a board of ordained ministry in each of the five countries. He would like to see a United Methodist office in each country.

Wandabula said he and his team have sketched out a detailed ministry plan and strategy for the next 10 years. The major goal is "to build a strong and vibrant church in the conference that is self-sustaining and supportive of its people."

Emphasis on evangelism

He says that emphasis will be put in the areas of education, evangelism and church growth, agriculture, disaster management, micro-finance, skills training for youths, health, and communications.

Wandabula has a testimony to give on improving education, among the members. The church has a well-established school in Mukono known as Humble United Methodist School.

Currently, the school takes care of 180 children many of whom are HIV/Aids orphans.

"The church would like to increase such services" For this great work of God to be spread everywhere, I need support from every body. I cannot work in isolation.

"As we start this work, we take partnership seriously. We would like to encourage Volunteers from all walks of life"

Wandabula says that he misses his mother.

"How I wish my mother was a round to witness this. She would be in-charge of every thing now. She would be running up and down showing you this and that," he says.