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Central Conferences

Outside the United States, eight central conferences across Africa, Asia, and Europe each elect their own bishops and adapt portions of the Book of Discipline to fit local cultural and missional contexts — representing millions of United Methodists worshiping in dozens of languages.

Silhouette of international regions

Africa

Four central conferences serve United Methodists across sub-Saharan Africa, one of the fastest-growing regions of the denomination.

Congo Central Conference

4
Encompasses the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the largest UMC presences in Africa with rapid growth in membership and new congregations.
East CongoNorth KatangaSouth CongoSouthern Congo

Southern Africa Central Conference

3
Covers Mozambique and Zimbabwe, regions with deep Methodist roots and vibrant, growing congregations.
MozambiqueZimbabwe EastZimbabwe West

West Africa Central Conference

4
Spans four nations across western Africa, with strong traditions of evangelism, education, and community health ministries.
Côte d'IvoireLiberiaNigeriaSierra Leone

Mid Africa Central Conference

4
Serves Burundi, East Africa, the Katanga region, and Tanzania — areas experiencing significant growth and expanding ministries.
BurundiEast AfricaNorth-West KatangaTanzania

Asia

The Philippines Central Conference is the UMC's sole central conference in Asia, with a rich Methodist heritage dating to the early 1900s.

Philippines Central Conference

3
Encompasses three episcopal areas across the Philippine archipelago. Methodism arrived in the Philippines in 1899 and has grown into a vibrant, mission-focused church.
BaguioDavaoManila

Europe

Three central conferences serve United Methodists across central, southern, and northern Europe, maintaining Methodist witness in diverse cultural contexts.

Central & Southern Europe Central Conference

1
Covers congregations across central and southern European nations, including Switzerland, France, Czech Republic, and several other countries.
Central & Southern Europe

Germany Central Conference

1
Serves the Evangelisch-methodistische Kirche (United Methodist Church in Germany), one of the oldest Methodist presences in continental Europe.
Germany

Nordic & Baltic Central Conference

1
Encompasses Methodist communities in the Nordic countries, the Baltic states, and Eurasia — a geographically vast area with deep ecumenical relationships.
Nordic & Baltic

Questions About Central Conferences

Understanding the UMC's international organizational structure.

Browse FAQs on Ask-the-UMC

One Church, Many Contexts

From the Philippines to Germany, from Congo to the Nordics — United Methodists around the world are connected through shared faith and mission.

Our StructureUS Jurisdictions