By: Sani Yarima
Monday, the 30th of September 2024, was a day full of great jubilation by the members of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria GMC-N as the newly elected Bishop, Bishop Dr. John Pena Auta, arrived in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital where he will serve.
The new Bishop, alongside his predecessor, Bishop John Wesley Yohanna (Rtd), arrived at the Yola International Airport in Adamawa State, where they were received by a large number of followers and proceeded to Jalingo.
On arrival at Jalingo, the Taraba State capital also, a large crowd, including women and children, joined the entourage of both past and new Bishops and proceeded to the Secretariat of the Church.
Addressing the gathering, Bishop John Wesley Yohanna (Rtd) expressed happiness for the successful completion of his tenure and taking and handing over the mantle of leadership to the newly elected Bishop.
He expressed appreciation to the members of the church for their support, cooperation, and prayers during his regime as Bishop for twelve (12) years, which he admitted was full of challenges.
As he forgive everyone who wronged him knowingly or unknowingly, the Bishop also sought forgiveness from his friends of the church and expressed optimism that Governor Agbu Kefas will stand by the truth in handling the UMC-N crisis.
He enjoined members of the church, including the aggrieved ones within the UMC-N, to come back and accord the new Bishop maximum support and cooperation to enable him to succeed.
Bishop John Wesley Yohanna (Rtd) enjoined them to continue to pray and reject the current political maneuvering going on in Nigeria.
He suggested that if Nigerians want to be relieved of the current situation, they should be prepared to sacrifice and also vote credible, God-fearing people into power.
On his part, the newly elected Bishop, Bishop Dr. John Pena Auta said he was elected to serve for two (2) years, therefore, he solicited support, cooperation, and prayers from the members of the church for them to continue to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and for the growth of the church.
He also urged the Pastors of the church to put heads together and continue with the work of the Lord, a task he described as huge that requires all hands to be on deck, and expressed optimism that God will grant him the wisdom to lead the congregation so that at the end everyone will have salvation in Jesus name.
The Bishops were accompanied by their wives and the event was concluded with a prayer offered by the new Bishop, Bishop Dr. John Pena Auta.
