Elected UMC Bishop James Boye-Caulker Calls on United Methodists to Embrace Each Other And Be Perfectly United in Mind and Thoughts
Following the 10th Quadrennial Session of the West African Central Conference of the United Methodist Church, held in Accra, Ghana, on 7th December 2024, where Rt. Rev. James Boye-Caulker was elected Resident Bishop of the United Methodist Church – Sierra Leone Episcopal Area.
Bishop James Boye-Caulker’s tenure as Resident Bishop of the Sierra Leone Annual Conference officially starts on 1st January 2025.
Bishop Boye-Caulker who had been in ministry for over 34years and had served the United Methodist Church in several other positions in both Sierra Leone and Liberia, notably as District Superintendent of the Western District since 2016, was elected on the first ballot at the West Africa Central conference meeting in Accra, Ghana, receiving 43 votes out of 59 valid ballots cast. He only needed 36 votes to be elected, and He was the second of two bishops elected at the Dec. 5-8 gathering of the West Africa Central Conference.
It should be noted that for over four (4) years, the United Methodist Church – Sierra Leone Annual Conference has been without a resident Bishop, following the tragic death (Road Accident) of the late Bishop John K. Yambasu, in August 2020.
Leading to the election, Bishop Boye-Caulker was the endorsed candidate, having gathered massive support in all districts where the United Methodist Church is present in Sierra Leone.
The policy of the United Methodist Church requires a new Bishop to officially start his/her work as Episcopal leader in the area assigned on the 1st January in the preceding year, in such manner, Bishop James Boye-caulker has officially taken up office.
The bishop, in his New Year message, reminded the people of the United Methodist Church that elections are over while stating that it is time to embrace one another as the Apostle Paul referenced in 1st Corinthian 1:10 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment”.
In his post-election message to delegates after he was pronounced Bishop, Rev. James Boye-Caulker said “The peace that the people of Sierra Leone want, the two of us are going to make sure it happens”, referring to Rev. Prof. Edwin J.J. Momoh, who was also a nominee on the ballot for episcopacy.
Bishop Boye-Caulker had further reminded United Methodists that this is a new beginning in the life of the church, expressing that a new beginning can be both exciting and daunting, but as Christians we should find hope and strength, knowing that God is with us in all things, including the new beginning we face now.
Like the United States, Bishops in the West Africa Central Conference are also elected for life and are consecrated into office immediately. They are responsible for overseeing the church’s material and spiritual interests and ensuring that the laws and regulations established by the General Conference are followed. In the annual (regional) conferences they serve, bishops make all clergy appointments. In addition, most bishops hold the position of president on a general agency board. The bishop makes legal decisions and serves as the presiding officer authority during the annual conference session.
Bishop James Boye-Caulker has a Master of Philosophy degree in theology from the University of Sierra Leone, a Bachelor of Theology degree from the Gbarnga School of Theology in Liberia, and a Theological Diploma from Cliff College in England. At the University of Sierra Leone’s Fourah Bay College, he is presently pursuing his doctorate.
Bishop James Boye-Caulker is married to Mrs. Janet Juma Boye-Caulker, and they are blessed with three children: James, Jimmy, and Julia.
© United Methodist Communications
