By: Julius Konton
At a time when churches across the world are grappling with internal divisions, social polarization, and shifting cultural landscapes, Samuel J. Quire Jr., a senior leader of the United Methodist Church in West Africa, has issued a clarion call for renewed unity, urging believers to make love not conflict the defining mark of Christian witness.
Speaking at the opening of the 146th Annual Session of the Sierra Leone Annual Conference, Bishop Quire reminded delegates that unity is not optional but central to the Church’s identity and mission.
Addressing hundreds of clergy and lay representatives gathered in Freetown, he anchored his message in the biblical exhortation, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
“This is not poetic language,” he said. “It is God’s prescription for His Church.”
Unity as a Divine Mandate, Not a Human Arrangement
Bishop Quire, who serves as President of the West Africa Regional Conference and Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference, emphasized that unity is rooted in God’s own nature.
“From the beginning, God created us to live in relationship,” he noted, pointing to the harmony of the Trinity and the communal life of the early Christian Church as enduring models for today’s faith communities.
Historically, the United Methodist presence in West Africa dates back more than a century, with churches in Sierra Leone and Liberia playing pivotal roles in education, healthcare, and post-conflict reconciliation.
Today, Methodism in the region counts hundreds of congregations and tens of thousands of members, forming one of the most influential Protestant networks in the Mano River sub-region.
Yet, Bishop Quire warned that without love, even well-established institutions risk losing their spiritual vitality.
“Where love is absent, the Church struggles to fulfill its mission,” he said. “But where love abides, ministry flourishes and communities grow stronger.”
“It Is Christ-like to Love in Conflict”
Acknowledging that unity does not come easily, Bishop Quire stressed that it must be cultivated intentionally through humility, patience, forgiveness, and honest dialogue.
“It is easy to love in comfort,” he told delegates. “It is Christ-like to love in conflict.”
He cautioned against allowing personal ambitions, misunderstandings, or institutional tensions to overshadow the Church’s shared calling, particularly at a time when faith institutions worldwide face declining trust and increasing societal pressures.
Across Africa, churches continue to serve as key pillars of social cohesion, often filling gaps left by fragile public systems.
According to regional church data, Methodist institutions operate dozens of schools, clinics, and community programs across Sierra Leone alone an impact Bishop Quire said depends heavily on internal unity.
Psalm 133 and the Power of Togetherness
Drawing from Psalm 133, Bishop Quire illustrated how unity releases both spiritual and practical blessings, likening it to oil flowing down Aaron’s beard and dew descending upon Mount Hermon.
“Where there is unity, the anointing flows freely,” he declared. “Worship becomes alive, healing begins, and the Church regains her witness.”
Conversely, he warned that division can “dry up what God intends to bless,” weakening both spiritual authority and social relevance.
In a world increasingly marked by fragmentation from political polarization to ethnic and religious conflict Bishop Quire described love among believers as the Church’s most compelling testimony.
“Our greatest witness is not our buildings, our titles, or our programs,” he said. “It is how we love one another.”
A Call for Enduring Commitment
The Bishop urged church members to reject divisive language and attitudes, calling instead for reconciliation, attentive listening, and cooperation across differences.
“Love is not an event; it is a commitment,” he said. “We are not called to visit unity occasionally we are called to dwell there.”
Reminding the gathering of the promise embedded in Psalm 133—“For there the Lord commanded the blessing, life forevermore”, he challenged the Church to guard what he termed “the sacred bond of love.”
“If we desire God’s favor, renewal, and growth,” he concluded, “we must protect unity with the same seriousness with which we protect doctrine.”
High-Profile Attendance and Regional Significance
The historic session was held at the Bishop Baughman Memorial United Methodist Church, drawing delegates from across Sierra Leone’s districts.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Ande I. Emmanuel, Resident Bishop of the Nigeria Episcopal Area with Mission Districts of Senegal and Cameroon, as well as representatives of the General Board of Global Ministries, including Rev. Dr. Jean Claude Masuka, Liaison for West Africa.
As the conference proceeds, Bishop Quire’s message has set a clear spiritual and moral tone placing unity, reconciliation, and enduring love at the heart of the Church’s mission in West Africa and beyond.
