From Wednesday, 18 March to Sunday, 22 March 2026, the Emseni Christian Centre in South Africa became a vibrant hub of creativity, faith and youthful energy as the Africa Methodist Council Youth Movement (AMCYM) successfully held its continental inaugural conference under the compelling theme “youthquake in Africa: Driving Transformation and Change.”
Hosted by the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Rev. Pumla Nzimande, together with her Executive team, the conference brought together over one hundred (100) delegates drawn from Methodist Conferences across the African continent and beyond. Participating Churches included the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Methodist Church Ghana,
Methodist Church The Gambia, AME Zion Church (WWAED and CSAED), United Methodist Church of Zimbabwe (East and West Annual Conferences), United Methodist Church Mozambique, Methodist Church in Kenya, United Methodist Church West Africa Region, United Methodist Church Nigeria, and the Enfield Methodist Circuit of the London Methodist District, Methodist Church Zimbabwe.
The gathering was honoured by the presence and leadership of the Africa Methodist Council (AMC) President, Most Rev. Dr. Paul K. Boafo, and the General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Martin Mujinga, whose participation reaffirmed the Council’s strong commitment to youth inclusion and leadership formation within African Methodism.
The conference featured rich and thought-provoking plenary sessions designed to provoke action and deepen strategic thinking among Methodist youth leaders. Rev. Dr. Martin Mujinga opened discussions with a compelling presentation on the Development of the Africa Methodist Council, charting the Council’s journey and its growing role on the continent. The Very Rev. Gideon D. Osabutey, Interim Chairman of AMCYM, delivered an insightful lecture on Youth and Technology, urging young people to harness digital innovation as a tool for mission, advocacy and development.
Adv. Thando Gumede, a distinguished Human Rights Defender and Pan-Africanist in South Africa, challenged delegates to pursue justice, dignity and accountable leadership, while Rev. Barry K. Boafo inspired participants with a presentation on African Methodist Youth Driving Faith-Based Environmental Stewardship. The plenary series concluded with Rev. Lwazi Kondlo ( a Minister of the MCSA), who critically examined Revitalizing Sustainable Economic Pathways for Africa, calling on Methodist youth to become thoughtful stewards and entrepreneurial change-makers.
Beyond dialogue and learning, the conference also provided space for fellowship, networking and reflection. Delegates participated in heritage and leisure visits, including tours to Nelson Mandela House and Desmond Tutu House, grounding the conference experience within South Africa’s powerful legacy of faith-inspired justice and reconciliation.
The conference during its deliberations also promulgated the AMCYM bye – law which seeks to direct the operations of the Movement. Conference members contributed greatly to the draft which was finally reviewed by a standing legal committee of conference made up of Lawyers from the various conferences.
Another key milestone of the conference was the election of substantive AMCYM officers to serve from 2026–2030, conducted under the joint chairmanship of the AMC President and General Secretary. The newly elected executives are:
The conference reached its spiritual climax on Sunday with an impressive and spirit-filled Induction and Thanksgiving Service, officiated by Most Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo and ably supported by Rev. Pumla Nzimande. The service underscored the sacred trust placed on the new leadership and renewed the collective resolve of Africa Methodist youth to be agents of transformation.
Filed by:
Nana Yaw Ampofo Ayew
Communications Officer, Africa Methodist Council Youth Movement (AMCYM)