wfn.org | UMNS# 05096-Africa University's Yemba becomes Central Congo bishop

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Africa University's Yemba becomes Central Congo bishop

Feb. 15, 2005	 News media contact:   Kathy  Gilbert * (615) 7425470*
Nashville {05096}

NOTE: A photograph of Bishop David Yemba is available in the headshots
section of the Photo Gallery at http://umns.umc.org.

By Andra Stevens*

MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) - The Rev. David Kekumba Yemba, professor and
founding dean of the faculty of theology at Africa University, has been
elected bishop of the Central Congo Area.

He will succeed Bishop Fama Onema, who served the area for more than 30
years.

Yemba said he was gratified by the confidence the church has placed in
him. "You think of the responsibilities the church is putting on your
shoulders," he told United Methodist News Service in a telephone
interview. "It is a great responsibility."

The Feb. 12 election, which was part of the United Methodist Africa
Central Conference, took place in Kamina in Katanga Province. Yemba was
elected on the third ballot in a field of 11 candidates and consecrated
Feb. 13.

He is taking over the leadership of one of the denomination's largest
episcopal areas, comprising 10 of the 11 provinces of the Democratic
Republic of Congo. The church has 844,634 members in the Congo.

Yemba said he "has been with Africa University since the planning
stages. In fact, my family was the first to move to Africa University in
1991."

"We have prayed for this for a long time, and God has answered our
prayers," said the Rev. Laisha Bwalya, a Congolese student at Africa
University and a United Methodist pastor. "I'm very happy that Professor
Yemba is now a bishop."

Yemba is the second staff member in less than a year to be elected
bishop. The Rev. Eben K. Nhiwatiwa was elected bishop in August 2004 and
assigned to the Zimbabwe Area.

"It's very good news; all my church is rejoicing for this election,"
said the Rev. Otshudi Ndjekembo, a second-year divinity student and
pastor from the conference where Yemba will serve. Ndjekembo described
Yemba as "very intelligent and an excellent administrator" who will
bring people together.

"The conference where he is going is really a divided conference, and
Professor Yemba has got quite a challenge ahead, but with his qualities
and experience, we are sure he will break down that division," said the
Rev. Banze Kyabuntu waKiluba, a pastor from the church's North Katanga
Area, which also serves part of the Congo.

Yemba joined the staff of Africa University in August 1990 and guided
the theology school from its inception. He stepped down in December but
continued teaching systematic theology, doing research and writing.
Colleagues point to his patience, love for people and approachability as
qualities that will help the church in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"Even when things are difficult, he has a way of handling those things,
and you really need this quality when you are a bishop, so that you will
be able to sort out some difficult issues," said the Rev. John Kurewa,
founding vice chancellor of the university and currently E. Stanley
Jones professor of evangelism. He has worked with Yemba for more than 15
years.

An internationally respected scholar and theologian, Yemba is moderator
of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. He
has a bachelor of divinity degree from the Protestant School of Theology
of the Congo Free University at Kisangani and a doctorate in systematic
theology from the University of Strasbourg, France.

He was ordained an elder in the church's Central Congo Annual Conference
in 1970.

Before joining Africa University, he served as senior lecturer and
associate professor at Zaire Protestant Seminary. In 1987-88, he was a
visiting professor at Andover Newton Theological School, teaching
Christianity with an African Face and African Theology.

Yemba and his wife, Henriette, have five children.

# # #

*Stevens is director of information and public affairs at Africa
University

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org