GMCN: New Bishop Arrives Nigeria, Assumes Duties
By Our Correspondent
The Newly elected Bishop of the Global Methodist Church of Nigeria,GMCN, Reverend John Pena Auta, has arrived Nigeria and Taraba State, the Church’s headquarters.
The Bishop was warmly welcomed by a mammoth crowd at the Lamido Aliyu Mustafa International Airport Yola Adamawa State from Costa Rica, the venue of the Global conference and election.
On arrival at the Airport, members of the church in their numbers, demonstrated their solidarity and support to the Bishop, expressing joy to God for actualizing the process of the elections despite some earlier misgivings.
Members of the Church were seen with various placards written with inscriptions such as”Allah Mungode da aikin al’ajibi”,”Muna Murna da yawan alherin ka”,”Baba Bishop barka da isowa Nigeria don ja ragama mulki” among other write-ups.
Addressing the members on arrival in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, Bishop John Pena Auta appreciated gathering for trust and confidence reposed in him which saw the success of the election, adding that throughout the whole processes of the election have been God.
Bishop Pena Auta solicited for support of the members as he steers the leadership of the Church, stressing that the task bestowed upon cannot be effectively carried out without their support, hence asking for advice to carry out God’s work together.
He thanked Bishop Emeritus, John Wesley Yohana for exemplary leadership demonstrated while on service amidst several challenges,yet he completed the tenure and ensured the successful election of a new Bishop.
He equally asked for prayers from members for the wisdom and knowledge to run the administration devoid of his personal interests to achieve the kingdom purpose in the Church.
Earlier speaking, the outgone Bishop Emeritus John Wesley Yohanna Munga expressed happiness with the transitional leadership of the Church, saying it has not been easy for the twelve years of paddling the affairs of the Church.
Bishop John Wesley attributed the success of his tenure to the grace of God upon the ministry, appealing to the members of the Global Methodist Church to support the new Bishop to enable him succeed for growth of the Church.
He called on the aggrieved members to lay aside any form of grievance to come together in uplifting the mandate of Jesus to preach the gospel for the overall good of the community.
Also commenting, the Episcopal Board of Trustees chairperson in Nigeria, and the immediate past Chief Judge of Gombe State, Beatrice Iliya said the Global Methodist Church, GMCN, is registered with Corporate Affairs Commission, reiterating the commitment to support the Bishop to enable the Church carry out the kingdom mandate.
Bishop John Pena Auta has been elected to serve for only two years inline with the GMC’s Law and Constitution.
