By Nalson Nannoh/3rd July 2025
Resident Bishop James Boye-Caulker of the United Methodist Church Sierra Leone Annual Conference hosted a collaborative meeting with partners from the United Methodist Churches in the United States of America. The gathering is to strengthened ties between the two conferences and explored avenues for mutual growth and ministry.
During the meeting, representatives from various working groups, including pastors of the United Methodist Church Sierra Leone Annual Conference and the United States Partners presented key areas of collaboration, such as pastoral welfare and capacity building, healthcare, education, and community development.
Resident Bishop Tom Berlin of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, United States of America, expressed gratitude to Bishop James Boye-Caulker for the warm reception and commended the Mercy Hospital staff for their impactful work in underserved communities within Bo District, Southern Sierra Leone. He emphasized the importance of continued partnership, rooted in relational rather than transactional. Relational values such as transparency and accountability.
Addressing concerns raised during the meeting, Bishop Berlin assured attendees that they would work closely with Bishop James Boye-Caulker to addressing some of them. He concluded by encouraging Sierra Leonean pastors to remain steadfast in their mission.
Bishop James Boye-Caulker welcomed Bishop Tom Berlin and delegation from the United States of America, highlighting their presence as part of the 25th-anniversary celebration of “Transforming Lives: Faith in Action and Love in Motion.” The event also honored beneficiaries of the Child Reintegration Programme in Bo City.
He thanked the partners for their unwavering support in providing free medical care to vulnerable communities and described the collaborative meeting as a tangible expression of their shared vision as a global United Methodist family.
“Though our approaches may differ, we are united in one calling: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” he said.
Bishop Boye-Caulker reiterated the Sierra Leone Annual Conference’s commitment to holistic ministry, encompassing spiritual renewal, community development, healthcare, education, and justice. He stressed that sustainable progress requires perseverance, spiritual dedication, and strong partnerships.
Calling for open dialogue and divine guidance, he urged participants to listen deeply, share experiences, and explore innovative ways to strengthen their collaboration.
“Let this meeting mark the beginning of deeper relationships that transcend projects and foster true pastoral fellowship,” he concluded. “May we leave here renewed, reconnected, and realigned with God’s purpose for our people and communities.”
The meeting closed with a renewed commitment to shared mission and mutual empowerment.
