Daniel Wandabula
Encyclopedia
Daniel Wandabula is a Bishop
of the United Methodist Church
, elected in 2006. At the time of his election he was forty-one years old, one of the youngest bishops of his denomination.
Central Conference of the U.M. Church, held on the campus of the Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. He was elected on only the second ballot, receiving eighty-one
percent of the vote of the delegates assembled. "This was a great and historic event for the church, and you could feel it," said Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, leader of the denomination's Zimbabwe
Episcopal Area
, and host Bishop for the meeting. "The delegates have shown maturity, and this Bishop has been given to us by God." Caroline Njuki, an executive with the U.M. Board of Global Ministries agreed, stating "The Holy Spirit was with the delegates. An election that was expected to take a day or a day and a half was over in a matter of hours."
The election actually began in a more tumultuous way, with some delegates questioning the candidates' slate and the voting process. In the end, however, the delegates opted for an open slate and voting began. Two other nominees were the Rev. Joel Ncahoruri and the Rev. Justin Nzoyisaba, both of Burundi
.
In making their choice, delegates spoke of the need for development, healing, reconciliation and unity, within the Church as well as their various, strife-torn countries. "We saw in [Daniel Wandabula] the kind of character that showed that he could be a leader to our wounded countries and conference," explained Godelive Manirakiza, a lay delegate from Burundi. "It is good to give someone from outside Burundi the opportunity to lead. It will strengthen unity and promote healing." Another lay delegate, Alice Wasilwa from Kenya
agreed, stating "I am so excited in my heart because we wanted someone who is neutral, and we now have that in this leader." Bishop Jose Quipungo, the Episcopal Leader of East Angola and President
of the Africa Central Conference added, "He is a man from the new generation, and he is strong."
Since the election of Bishop Daniel Wandabula, the problems of leadership that existed in that particular Annual Conference before the death of the late Bishop John Alfred Ndricimpa, persisted and worsened. As the new bishop didn't do much to heal the wounds and the already existing problems.
The church in Rwanda and in Burundi, being former Belgian colonies; the governing bodies of any religious association is a The General Assembly, the Executive Committee and the Office of Legal Representation (overseer), and the people making such composition have got to be nationals (Rwandese or Burundians).
Bishop John A. Ndoricimpa, being Burundian by nationality was elected and legally acted as the Legal Representative of the UMC-Burundi, beside being the resident bishop of East Africa Annual Conference. Therefore after his death and while Daniel Wandabula had been invested as the resident bishop of East Africa Annual Conference, UMC-Burundi elected The Reverend Nzoyisaba Justin as its new Legal Representative as the office was vacant.
For some time, bishop Daniel refused to cooperate with the Legal Representatives elected by the church and the text and constitutions that govern the church in Burundi and Rwanda.
In 2007, the United Methodist Church of Rwanda in its General Assembly, which is the highest decision making body in our churches, opted for the consecration of their own bishop in order to have peace in their church. Therefore Bishop Jupa Kaberuka was elected and consecrated as the new bishop of the United Methodist Church of Rwanda and is the Legal Representative of the church.
The church of Burundi on its side waited for the situation to heal, but it seemed to have worsened, and on December the 5-6th, 2008 the Executive Committee and the General Assembly of the United Methodist Church of Burundi met and elected the bishop of Burundi by the name of the Reverend Nzoyisaba Justin.
Bishop Justin Nzoyisaba Justin was consecrated to the episcopate on Sunday, December 7, 2008 in full apostolic succession as the new Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Burundi and he remains the Legal Representative of the Church.
, including all U.M. Churches in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda
, Sudan
, Tanzania
and Uganda
. He replaces the late Bishop J. Alfred Ndoricimpa who died July 2005. Bishop Wandabula was consecrated 28 May 2006 at the Ehnes Memorial Church at the Old Mutare, Zimbabwe U.M.C. Mission Center. His wife Betty (whom he married in January 2005) was with him.
(1998) degrees from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
, Evanston, Illinois
, U.S.A.. Prior to seminary, he received a diploma
in practical theology
from the Methodist Training Institute at Kenya Methodist University
. He is also studying for a Beeson International Leaders Doctor of Ministry
degree at Asbury Theological Seminary
, Wilmore, Kentucky
, U.S.A.
in Uganda (1991–94), and as project manager
for the Methodist Youth Association in Jinja, Uganda
(1986–88). His most recent assignment has been as a Pastor
and as the former Dean
of Superintendents and project coordinator for the Uganda/Sudan District of the East Africa Annual Conference
of the U.M. Church.
Daniel was never ordained elder in 1994. He was ordained elder in 1998 after the late Bishop Ndoricimpa chose him to lead the church in Uganda which Solomon Muwanga had put in turmoil. Daniel had previously been ordained a Deacon under Methodist Church of Kenya under Bishop Lawi Imathiu.
Bishop Quiipungo and his fellow Bishops pledged to assist and support their new colleague, noting the tremendous responsibility he faced. "He will need to be a man of courage and firm convictions, loving his peaple but also helping them to transcend their differences," remarked retired Bishop Emilio De Carvalho of the West Angola Conference.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
, elected in 2006. At the time of his election he was forty-one years old, one of the youngest bishops of his denomination.
Episcopal election
Bishop Wandabula was elected 27 May 2006 during a meeting of the AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
Central Conference of the U.M. Church, held on the campus of the Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. He was elected on only the second ballot, receiving eighty-one
81 (number)
81 is the natural number following 80 and preceding 82.-In mathematics:Eighty-one is the square of 9 and the fourth power of 3. Like all powers of three, 81 is a perfect totient number. It is a heptagonal number and a centered octagonal number. It is also a tribonacci number, and an open meandric...
percent of the vote of the delegates assembled. "This was a great and historic event for the church, and you could feel it," said Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, leader of the denomination's Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
Episcopal Area
Episcopal Area
An Episcopal Area in the United Methodist Church is a basic unit of this denomination. It is a region presided over by a resident bishop that is similar to a diocese in other Christian denominations. Each annual conference in the UMC is within a single episcopal area; some episcopal areas...
, and host Bishop for the meeting. "The delegates have shown maturity, and this Bishop has been given to us by God." Caroline Njuki, an executive with the U.M. Board of Global Ministries agreed, stating "The Holy Spirit was with the delegates. An election that was expected to take a day or a day and a half was over in a matter of hours."
The election actually began in a more tumultuous way, with some delegates questioning the candidates' slate and the voting process. In the end, however, the delegates opted for an open slate and voting began. Two other nominees were the Rev. Joel Ncahoruri and the Rev. Justin Nzoyisaba, both of Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
.
In making their choice, delegates spoke of the need for development, healing, reconciliation and unity, within the Church as well as their various, strife-torn countries. "We saw in [Daniel Wandabula] the kind of character that showed that he could be a leader to our wounded countries and conference," explained Godelive Manirakiza, a lay delegate from Burundi. "It is good to give someone from outside Burundi the opportunity to lead. It will strengthen unity and promote healing." Another lay delegate, Alice Wasilwa from Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
agreed, stating "I am so excited in my heart because we wanted someone who is neutral, and we now have that in this leader." Bishop Jose Quipungo, the Episcopal Leader of East Angola and President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Africa Central Conference added, "He is a man from the new generation, and he is strong."
Since the election of Bishop Daniel Wandabula, the problems of leadership that existed in that particular Annual Conference before the death of the late Bishop John Alfred Ndricimpa, persisted and worsened. As the new bishop didn't do much to heal the wounds and the already existing problems.
The church in Rwanda and in Burundi, being former Belgian colonies; the governing bodies of any religious association is a The General Assembly, the Executive Committee and the Office of Legal Representation (overseer), and the people making such composition have got to be nationals (Rwandese or Burundians).
Bishop John A. Ndoricimpa, being Burundian by nationality was elected and legally acted as the Legal Representative of the UMC-Burundi, beside being the resident bishop of East Africa Annual Conference. Therefore after his death and while Daniel Wandabula had been invested as the resident bishop of East Africa Annual Conference, UMC-Burundi elected The Reverend Nzoyisaba Justin as its new Legal Representative as the office was vacant.
For some time, bishop Daniel refused to cooperate with the Legal Representatives elected by the church and the text and constitutions that govern the church in Burundi and Rwanda.
In 2007, the United Methodist Church of Rwanda in its General Assembly, which is the highest decision making body in our churches, opted for the consecration of their own bishop in order to have peace in their church. Therefore Bishop Jupa Kaberuka was elected and consecrated as the new bishop of the United Methodist Church of Rwanda and is the Legal Representative of the church.
The church of Burundi on its side waited for the situation to heal, but it seemed to have worsened, and on December the 5-6th, 2008 the Executive Committee and the General Assembly of the United Methodist Church of Burundi met and elected the bishop of Burundi by the name of the Reverend Nzoyisaba Justin.
Bishop Justin Nzoyisaba Justin was consecrated to the episcopate on Sunday, December 7, 2008 in full apostolic succession as the new Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Burundi and he remains the Legal Representative of the Church.
Episcopal assignment
Bishop Wandabula was elected as Resident Bishop for East AfricaEast Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
, including all U.M. Churches in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
and Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. He replaces the late Bishop J. Alfred Ndoricimpa who died July 2005. Bishop Wandabula was consecrated 28 May 2006 at the Ehnes Memorial Church at the Old Mutare, Zimbabwe U.M.C. Mission Center. His wife Betty (whom he married in January 2005) was with him.
Education
Daniel Wandabula earned both his M.Div (1997) and Master of Theological StudiesMaster of Theological Studies
A Master of Theological Studies is a general academic degree that gives students an introduction to advanced theological studies. The M.T.S usually requires two years of program study to complete. The Latin equivalent for M.T.S...
(1998) degrees from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary is a graduate school of theology of the United Methodist Church located in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1853, Garrett-Evangelical is on the campus of Northwestern University and continues many associations with the university...
, Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
, U.S.A.. Prior to seminary, he received a diploma
Diploma
A diploma is a certificate or deed issued by an educational institution, such as a university, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study or confers an academic degree. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the word diploma refers to...
in practical theology
Practical theology
Practical theology is the practical application of theology to everyday life. Richard Osmer explains that the four key questions and tasks in practical theology are:# What is going on? # Why is this going on?...
from the Methodist Training Institute at Kenya Methodist University
Kenya Methodist University
The Kenya Methodist University is a Chartered private University founded by the Methodist Church in Kenya. It is situated within woodland on the North Eastern slopes of Mount Kenya, five kilometers from Meru Town...
. He is also studying for a Beeson International Leaders Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Ministry
The Doctor of Ministry degree is, according to The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada , a doctoral level degree oriented toward ministerial leadership often in an area of applied theology, such as missions, evangelism, church leadership, pastoral psychology or the...
degree at Asbury Theological Seminary
Asbury Theological Seminary
Asbury Theological Seminary is a multi-denominational, graduate institution that offers a variety of master degree and postgraduate degree programs through the schools of Biblical Interpretation and Proclamation, Theology and Formation, Practical Theology, World Missions and Evangelism, and...
, Wilmore, Kentucky
Wilmore, Kentucky
Wilmore is a city in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,134 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, U.S.A.
Ordained ministry
The Rev. Wandabula was ordained an Elder in 1994. Before going to the U.S.A. for graduate studies, he served as Administrative Secretary to the Methodist ChurchThe Methodist Church
The Methodist Church was the name adopted by the Methodist denomination formed in the United States by the reunion on May 10, 1939 of the northern and southern factions of the Methodist Episcopal Church with the Methodist Protestant Church....
in Uganda (1991–94), and as project manager
Project manager
A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers can have the responsibility of the planning, execution, and closing of any project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture, computer networking, telecommunications or software...
for the Methodist Youth Association in Jinja, Uganda
Jinja, Uganda
Jinja is the largest town in Uganda, Africa. It is the second busiest commercial center in the country, after Kampala, Uganda's capital and only city. Jinja was established in 1907.-Location:...
(1986–88). His most recent assignment has been as a Pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and as the former Dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of Superintendents and project coordinator for the Uganda/Sudan District of the East Africa Annual Conference
Annual Conference
An Annual Conference in the United Methodist Church is a regional body that governs much of the life of the "Connectional Church." Annual conferences are composed primarily of the clergy members and a lay member or members from each charge . Each conference is a geographical division...
of the U.M. Church.
Daniel was never ordained elder in 1994. He was ordained elder in 1998 after the late Bishop Ndoricimpa chose him to lead the church in Uganda which Solomon Muwanga had put in turmoil. Daniel had previously been ordained a Deacon under Methodist Church of Kenya under Bishop Lawi Imathiu.
A challenging episcopacy
Seriously divisive issues awaited Bishop Wandabula's ministry, including those within and among the different groups, ethnic and otherwise, that made up his new field of service. Years of war—in Rwanda, south Sudan and northern Uganda in particular—had resulted in large numbers of orphans and dilapidated or destroyed infrastructure. Church members in the Area felt the great need for more trained pastors and for skilled professionals to lead development projects to help communities prosper. "East Africa is an area that is facing a lot of challenges," said Bishop Nhiwatiwa at the time. "It needs a healing spirit, and we know that our brothers and sisters there will continue to show maturity and grow with their Bishop."Bishop Quiipungo and his fellow Bishops pledged to assist and support their new colleague, noting the tremendous responsibility he faced. "He will need to be a man of courage and firm convictions, loving his peaple but also helping them to transcend their differences," remarked retired Bishop Emilio De Carvalho of the West Angola Conference.