But Some Had Earlier Broken Away To Form Global Methodist Church, Amid The Same Sex Marriage Crisis That Hit UMC
By Our Reporter
Several top clerics in the United Methodist Church (UMC) of Liberia have been “ex-communicated” from the church, a statement from the UMC said on Sunday, March 1, 2026, although the clerics had earlier declared breaking away from the church.
The UMC also announced that the credentials of the clerics have been revoked.
The conflict in the UMC is over the issue of same-sex marriage that led to a segment of the church forming the Global Methodist Church (GMC) has taken another turn.
“The Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC), during its 193rd Annual Session, formally expelled and revoked the ministerial credentials of Rev. Dr. Jerry K. Kulah, Rev. Dr. Sarwolo J. Nelson, Jr., Rev. Dr. George G. Wilson, Jr., Rev. Dr. Isaac Chukpue-Padmore, Rev. Dr. Julius Z. Y. K. Williams, other are Rev. Rose Farhat, Rev. Jerry Kandea, Rev. Kenneth C. Jackson, Rev. Rodney Marshall, Rev. Allen Paye, Rev. Dr. Charles Fiske, Rev. Dr. Anna K. Labala, Rev.Cooper Pay Mondolo and 113 other individuals formerly serving as clergy within The United Methodist Church in Liberia,” the UMC press statement said.
There have been no immediate reactions from the cleric up to press time.
At the meeting in the US early in May this year, United Methodist General Conference, the church’s global legislative body, voted to overturn every ban on LGBTQ people. The historic changes include a new definition of marriage as a lifelong covenant between “two people of faith,” rather than solely between a man and a woman, and a repeal of its ban on LGBTQ clergy, although Reverend Jerry Kulah, a delegate from Liberia, was quoted as saying: “We do not believe we know better than the Bible.”
The General Conference also struck down a 52-year-old stance on homosexuality being “incompatible with Christian teaching.” At A Meeting In The US: United Methodist Church Holds Historic Vote in Favour Of LGBTQ Inclusion – News Public Trust
BELOW IS THE MARCH 1, 2026 PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN LIBERIA:
PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1,2026
The United Methodist Church in Liberia Ex-Communicates And Revokes
Credentials of Rev. Dr.Kulah, Nelson,
Wilson And 122 others.
Monrovia, Liberia: The Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC), during its 193rd Annual Session, formally expelled and revoked the ministerial credentials of Rev. Dr. Jerry K. Kulah, Rev. Dr. Sarwolo J. Nelson, Jr., Rev. Dr. George G. Wilson, Jr., Rev. Dr. Isaac Chukpue-Padmore, Rev. Dr. Julius Z. Y. K. Williams, other are Rev. Rose Farhat, Rev. Jerry Kandea, Rev. Kenneth C. Jackson, Rev. Rodney Marshall, Rev. Allen Paye, Rev. Dr. Charles Fiske, Rev. Dr. Anna K. Labala, Rev.Cooper Pay Mondolo and 113 other individuals formerly serving as clergy within The United Methodist Church in Liberia .
The resolution, taken at the seat of the 193rd Session of the LAC/UMC in Greenville ,SinoeCounty, follows findings that those expelled pastors acted in flagrant disregard for and disobedience to the order, discipline, and doctrinal standards of The United Methodist Church.
Despite having been educated and entrusted to defend and uphold The United Methodist Church theological integrity, they instead engaged in actions deemed to undermine ecclesiastical authority, challenge the unity of the Church, and bring the denomination into public disrepute.
The resolution further determined that those excommunicated from The United Methodist Church in Liberia categorically and deliberately refused to surrender their ministerial credentials when requested to do so by the Conference Secretary, which is in accordance with Paragraph 361 of the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline (BOD).
Delegates at the 193rd Annual Session acting under the authority granted by Paragraph 605.7 of the Book of Discipline, voted overwhelmingly to expelled individuals formerly serving as clergy, same was seen the during ministerial Session during with more than a two-third affirmative vote was obtained to terminate, nullify, and revoke the credentials of the affected clergy.
The Board of Ordained Ministry of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church confirmed that these clergy members were duly expelled during the Clergy Session of the 193rd Annual Session, consistent with the powers vested in that body by the BOD
The 193rd Annual Session, being the highest decision-making body of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in plenary, adopted the following:
- To affirm the expulsion of the pastors whose names were presented by the Board of Ordained Ministry.
- To publish the names of those expelled in public media, informing the general public that they are no longer clergy of The United Methodist Church.
- To prohibit the expelled individuals from mounting the pulpits or entering the chancery of any congregation within the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
- To hold accountable, under Paragraph 2702.1(c) of the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline, any clergy who permit such individuals to function in ministerial roles within United Methodist congregations.
It can be recalled that in October of 2024, Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. suspended Rev. Kenneth C. Jackson, Rev. Allen Paye, and several other pastors for their roles in a growing rebellion within the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia.
Rev. Kenneth C. Jackson (72nd UMC) and Rev. Allen Paye (John Warner UMC), those suspended included Rev. Leo Mason (New Georgia UMC), Rev. Elijah Darjue, and Pastor Yah Gorgboyee.
Bishop Quire suspended insubordination and defiance to his administration and disrespectful to the Borad of Ordained Ministry.
The Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church reiterates its commitment to maintaining the doctrinal integrity, discipline, and connectional order of the Church, while continuing its mission of evangelism, discipleship, and service to all people.
Media Contact
Bro.Charles Gbayor
Press Secretary
Liberia Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church
Contact:+231_7772_337_852
881_356_292
Email:gbayorcharles08@gmail.com