UMC Confirms Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Dopah's Membership

Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC)

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has received a letter from the Chairperson of the Board of Ordained Ministry, Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN), Rev. Christopher Amadi, clarifying the membership status of Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Dopah. This development comes after a petition was filed against Rev. Dr. Dopah, claiming that he was not affiliated with the TEKAN/ECWA bloc.

Rev. Amadi, in a statement made available to the public, confirmed that Rev. Dr. Dopah is a clergy member of the United Methodist Church in good standing and currently serves as Dean of Cabinet. This clarification has brought to light the true nature of the petition and the motivations behind it.

In the statement, Rev. Amadi revealed that the petitioners were part of a breakaway faction that left the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) to join the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN). The GMCN is a movement described as "racist and white supremacist" that originated in America in 2022 and spread to Nigeria in 2024.

Given the lack of credibility of the petitioners, Rev. Amadi urged CAN to dismiss the petition. He also requested that CAN provide necessary support to Rev. Dr. Dopah, allowing him to serve the Christian community in Taraba State and beyond.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is expected to take appropriate action, ensuring that the organization remains a united and inclusive body, promoting the values of Christianity in Nigeria. As the umbrella organization for all Christian denominations in Nigeria, CAN plays a vital role in promoting unity and cooperation among Christians.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was established in 1976 with the goal of fostering unity and collaboration among various Christian denominations in Nigeria. CAN comprises five blocs, including the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the Christian Council of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, and the TEKAN/ECWA bloc. In the midst of preparations for an election in Taraba State CAN, a crisis  emerged as the Global Methodist Church (GMC) lodged a petition with the National CAN President challenging the eligibility of Rev. Micah Dopah to represent the TEKAN/ECWA bloc.

The turmoil within the Taraba State CAN stems from disagreements over the endorsement of a candidate believed to be affiliated with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) bloc, triggering tensions among members of the Catholic bloc who perceive this as discriminatory. Furthermore, a dispute has arisen over Rev. Dopah's candidacy for a leadership position within CAN, with allegations that he is not officially affiliated with the TEKAN churches, calling into question his eligibility to run for a position reserved for the TEKAN ECWA bloc.

As the issues within CAN Taraba State unfold, it is crucial for the organization to address these internal rifts and strive for unity and coherence in advocating for the rights and interests of Christians amidst the prevailing security challenges in the country. The clarification provided by Rev. Amadi sheds light on the intricacies of the situation, emphasizing the significance of promoting Christian values and solidarity to navigate through this turbulent period effectively.