NAIROBI – Missionaries from 10 countries who gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for training and fellowship were officially commissioned by the General Board of Global Ministries for service around the world. The congregation and pastor of Lavington United Church in Nairobi welcomed the 17 missionaries, staff, and board members from Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry in a service of celebration, April 9, 2026. Bishops from the U.S., East Africa Episcopal Area, and Kenya officiated the service, which was also live streamed for remote viewing.
Rev. Dr. John Maromba, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Kenya, delivered the sermon and noted: “This is the very heart of the work carried forward by The United Methodist Church – to send, to support, and to stand alongside those who bring healing, justice and hope in communities around the world.”
The atmosphere was filled with joy, renewal, and a deep sense of calling. Missionary Florence Muthoni Wandia, originally from Kenya and serving with the United Mission to Nepal, described the moment: “I was so excited and I could feel the Holy Spirit upon me, a renewal covenant between me and my God. I am created to God’s purpose.” With her experience across various organizations, Florence expressed her hope to empower communities both economically and socially, ensuring sustainability in every effort.
The commissioned missionaries will serve in 15 different countries, from Central Asia to Central America, in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Three of the missionaries commissioned are from Kenya, with one headed to Africa University in Zimbabwe and two to Nepal for positions with United Mission to Nepal.
Six of those commissioned will be working in the field of education, including two with the Latin American Biblical University in Costa Rica, Wesley College in Tanzania, United Methodist University in Sierra Leone, Africa University in Zimbabwe, and the Theological Community in Mexico. Four are church planters or evangelists in Panama, Belize, Ireland, and Switzerland.
One of those in the field of education, Samuel Joina Ngale from Mozambique, has begun his service in Sierra Leone as Vice Chancellor–Principal of the United Methodist University in Sierra Leone. He shared his bold vision: “I look forward to working with the United Methodist University – Sierra Leone to see it become a leading higher education institution, focusing on awakening the youth to their God-given potential through entrepreneurial programs so that they can live up to what they are called by God to do.”
A few of the missionaries have been working in their assignments in unique roles. The Rev. Matthew Laferty represents the World Methodist Council to the Catholic Church and the Holy See (Vatican). He also serves as the co-secretary of the Methodist-Roman Catholic International Commission, the official theological dialogue commission between the World Methodist Council and the Catholic Church. The Rev. Igmedio Domingo is the supervising elder for the Middle East Mission in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar were approved as new missions by General Conference under the authority of the Philippines Regional Conference.
Below is the full list of missionaries who were commissioned on April 8, their home countries and their places of service. The missionaries’ bios can be reached online by clicking each name for the link.
East Mindanao, Philippines
Circuit Pastor, Trainer, MCCA, Belize
Central America
Pastor for Congregational Development, MCCA, Panama
West Angola
Agricultural Coordinator, Cambine, Mozambique
U.S., Presbyterian Church USA
Professor of Theological Sciences at Latin American Biblical University, Costa Rica
Philippines Annual Conference, Manila Episcopal Area
Supervising Elder, Middle East Mission, Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates
U.S., Florida Annual Conference
Methodist Professor of Theological Sciences, Latin American Biblical University, Costa Rica
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Church Planter, Methodist Church of Ireland
U.S., East Ohio Annual Conference
Director, Methodist Ecumenical Office, Rome, Italy
U.S., Great Plains Annual Conference
Pastor, International Methodist Church, Hearts of Peace, Switzerland
Methodist Church, Sierra Leone
Head of Theology, Wesley College, Tanzania
Zimbabwe, East Zimbabwe Annual Conference
Education and Child Development Officer, Children of Zion, Inc., Namibia
Mozambique, Mozambique South Annual Conference
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Bishop Wenner School of Theology, United MethodistUniversity, Sierra Leone
Kenya, Indangalasia Church
Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion Advisor, United Mission to Nepal
Chile, Texas Annual Conference
Faculty and Theological Researcher, Theological Community of Mexico
Kenya, Anglican Church
Lecturer in Social Work at Africa University in Zimbabwe
U.S., South Georgia Annual Conference
Mission Advocate, Young Adult Mission Service, Global Ministries in Atlanta
Kenya, Kenya Annual Conference
Program Director, United Mission to Nepal
About Global Missionaries
Global Missionaries are long-term United Methodist missionaries who are called by God and sent out to serve by the church, usually placed in a new cultural context beyond their country of origin. Missionaries engage in ministry that is defined by mutuality and partnership, seeking to expand the mission of God already present and active in people and places. Explore the work of Global Ministries missionaries.
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This content was originally published by the General Board of Global Ministries; republished with permission by ResourceUMC on April 13, 2026.