Highlights from 2009 to 2021

2009; In this year Reverend Professor Peter W. Stephens was elected as Presiding Bishop Designate

2010; The Revd Norman Grigg, and General Superintendent of the Gambia District of the Methodist Church until 2009, became the First Bishop of The Methodist Church The Gambia (from February – May)

The First Annual Conference of The Methodist Church The Gambia at
Bakau Methodist Church elected Reverend Professor Peter W. Stephens as its first Presiding Bishop

The Mango Drying Centre was opened at The Methodist Mission Agricultural Project (MMAP)

Consecration and Investiture of The Rt. Revd. Prof. W. Peter Stephens as the first Presiding and Second Bishop of The Methodist Church The Gambia took place at the Wesley Cathedral on June 13 the

13 the June 4pm at Trinity Methodist Church

The Methodist Church The Gambia ordained the first ordinands in its history: the Reverend Rodney Louis Prom, the Reverend Malanding Mendy and the Reverend Gabriel Leonard Allen

The Methodist Church The Gambia sent three Ministers to Nigeria for further training: the Reverend W. E. E. Carr (Certificate in Theology, 2010 – 2011), the Reverend Malanding Mendy (Diploma in Theology, 2010 – 2012), the Reverend Pierre T. Bass (Bachelor of Arts in Theology, 2010 – 2013)

2011; The Annual Conference at Bethel Methodist Church elected the Right Reverend Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim as the Presiding Bishop Designate. 2012 On February 5th the consecration and Investiture of the Presiding Bishop Elect, the Rt. Rev. Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim was held at the Wesley Cathedral. She became the first Gambian Bishop of The Methodist Church The Gambia, the first woman Bishop and the second Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church in The Gambia. She also became the first female Presiding Bishop in Sub-Saharan Africa, and her title changed to “The Most Reverend Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim”. Her title in addressing her consequently changed to “Your Grace”.

Daily mid-day services at Wesley Cathedral were introduced by the Presiding Bishop The Most Reverend Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim

Sunday afternoon services at Wesley Cathedral were also introduced by the Presiding Bishop The Most Reverend Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim

Advent Praise, Palm Sunday and Easter Praise festivals also became annual events spearheaded by the Presiding Bishop The Most Reverend Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim. Theses events continued until 2019 when they were temporary put on hold in 2020-2021 due to the COVID pandemic.

“First Gambian Methodist Bishop” set of commemorative stamps are issued by The Gambia Postal Service at official unveiling ceremony Work on extension of Administrative Block at Gambia Methodist Academy begins.

2013; Manga Central Processing Unit (MCPU) for Preserves unveiled at MMAP Bantaba at MMAP is renovated. Connexional Carol service newly renovated Bantaba at MMAP

Work on extension of Administrative Block at Gambia Methodist Academy completed. Advent Praise, Palm Sunday and Easter Praise festivals

2014; The Methodist Church in Janjangbureh (CRR) is renovated First Annual Methodist Conference in Janjangbureh (CRR) since the District Synod on McCarthy Island in 1881

Major renovation of Wesley Cathedral completed A Nature Trail (length 1.2 km) built on MMAP grounds to encourage eco-tourism Advent Praise, Palm Sunday and Easter Praise festivals

2015; Ordination of the Reverend Pierre T. Bass First Ministerial Training Initiative in The Gambia enrols two candidates for the ordained ministry in The Methodist Church The Gambia

Annual Conference adopts “Team Ministry Initiative” to improve ministerial provision for priority Circuit appointments Advent Praise, Palm Sunday and Easter Praise festivals
2016; In the wake of the crisis following the presidential election, a Delegation of The Methodist Church The Gambia, which included The Most Revd. Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim (Presiding Bishop), The Revd Rodney Louis Prom (Secretary of Conference), The Revd Pierre Thomas Bass (Chaplain to the Presiding Bishop), Bro. Oluwole Thomas Roberts (Administrator), Bro. James W. Davies and Sis. Linsong Bah, attends a Conference for Religious Leaders at State House.

The Most Revd Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim delivers a speech in response to the President in which she encourages him to accept the electoral results and step down peacefully, and accept the will of God. A residential property situated at 5 Nelson Mandela Street (Cameroon Street), Banjul is acquired Advent Praise, Palm Sunday and Easter Praise festivals

2017; The new Marakissa Methodist Church, rebuilt from scratch with almost exclusively Gambian money, is opened. The Church is consecrated

for worship by The Most Reverend Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim on the 27th April 2017 Seating capacity three hundred and fifty (350)

Youth Conference – The First Youth Conference of the Methodist Church The Gambia, which replaces the Annual Youth Camp, is held at Wesley Cathedral

In recognition of her contribution to the peaceful transfer of power following the presidential election in 2016, the Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Hannah Caroline Faal-Heim, is awarded the National Assembly’s “Peace Ambassador Award” at a ceremony held at the
National Assembly. Advent Praise, Palm Sunday and Easter Praise festivals