By: Alie Badara in Bo
A wave of discontent has swept through the United Brethren in Christ (UBC) Church’s in Sierra Leone conference following what concerned members describe as an unconstitutional appointment of a new bishop to succeed the long-serving Bishop John Pessima.
The announcement was made during an ordained elders ‘ meeting on August 28th, 2025, at the Sahr K. Foyoh Church in Moriba Town , Bo in the Kakua Chiefdom – Southern Sierra Leone, has sparked accusations of procedural violations, lack of transparency, and potential threats to the denomination’s unity.
The UBC and evangelical Christian denomination with roots dating back to 1767 and a global presence in eighteen countries, including Sierra Leone, emphasizes biblical principles, communal decision-making, and adherence to its governing documents.
Bishop Pessima. Who has led the Sierra Leone Conference since 2012, unilaterally declared Reverend Mrs. Juliana Satta Walker is his successor, according to accounts from coalition members comprising ordained ministers, lay leaders, and dedicated congregants.
This move has been labeled as a breach of the Conference’s 2002‐2006 constitution and the established code of conduct for elections, which were published and disseminated widely among churches.
The controversy unfolded amid preparations for the denomination’s upcoming episcopal election scheduled for October 10, 2025.
What was intended as a time of reflection, worship, fellowship, and leadership planning during a recent pastors and elders meeting devolved into confusion and tension.
A national men’s meeting saw a significant portion of attendees voicing dissatisfaction, highlighting how the process deviated from traditional policies and values.
Diaspora members, speaking anonymously in telephone conversations, echoed these sentiments, expressing disbelief at the alleged disregard for constitutional mandates, traditional values, and even human rights.
At the heart of the dilemma is the claim that Bishop Pessima used his episcopal authority to disrupt the bishopric election process.
Critics argue that the declaration bypassed communal procedures designed to ensure fairness and prevent unilateral actions.
Key grievances include following the July 11, 2025, elections: no consultations were held between the top two candidates, nor were findings reported to the conferences Ordained Elders and Council of Administration; request for clarity on the delegates list and meeting agenda were reportedly ignored; and brewing mistrust and also contravening the church’s principle on accountability of leadership.
A senior Minister at the Conference, who spoke on condition of anonymity, emphasized: “We are not against Rev. Walker being the Bishop, but the process. Our faith is built on order and accountability.”
To ignore the very rules that bind us together as a conference is a dangerous precedent that threatens the unity and integrity of the UBC in Sierra Leone.
We have a sacred duty to uphold our discipline, which serves as our guiding constitutional document.
The coalition has declared the selection process null and void, warning that it undermines the legitimacy of the church’s leadership and its principles of godly order.
They fear this could promote internal divisions among the membership and the broader congregation, turning what should be a unifying transition into a crucible of competing visions for the historically conservative denomination.
In response, the group is calling for immediate corrective measures. The formation of an independent, impartial committee, including representatives from UBC Global leadership and all districts in the Sierra Leone Conference, to investigate the procedural breaches.
Review of bylaw No.14 which stipulates that candidates with the highest and second highest votes from preliminary elections proceed to the next phase on October 10, 2025 with strict adherence to the UBC Discipline and Sierra Leone Conference bylaws.
This includes ensuring full transparency, proper representation, and prayerful participation from the entire church body.
Should these issues remain unaddressed, the coalition comprising concerned ordained elders, their churches, and laity-has threatened to withhold participation in conference activities and seek redress through the courts.
By not addressing the issue immediately, we will resort to seeking justice in a court of law, stated a coalition representative.
As of this writing, no official response from Bishop Pessima or the UBC Sierra Leone conference leadership has been made public.
The denomination’s international arm, UB Global, which oversees ministries in countries like Sierra Leone, has not commented on the matter.
The UBC Sierra Leone Conference, part of a global fellowship with over 500 churches, has long been a pillar of spiritual guidance and community in the region.
Bishop Pessima’s tenure, beginning after a transitional period under previous leadership, has seen the conference navigate post-civil war recovery and growth.
However, this recent episode raises questions about governance and succession in faith -based organizations, where adherence to internal rules is seen as essential to maintaining trust and unity.
The coalition remains hopeful for a resolution, urging the presiding leadership to prioritize righteousness and order,
We urge the current presiding leadership to heed this call, they stated.
We remain in prayer for our conference that the Holy Spirit will guide us towards a peaceful and constitutional resolution that preserves the unity of the Body of Christ Church in Sierra Leone.