Monrovia, Liberia: The United Methodist Church (UMC) has suspended Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah, Vice President for the Bishop John G. Innis Graduate School of Professional Studies at the United Methodist University (UMU). The decision, effective immediately, was announced in a press statement released to the public by the UMC.
According to the statement, the suspension follows recommendations from an investigative committee and the Church Counsel of the Board of Ordained Ministry.
Rev. Kulah is accused of multiple violations under Paragraph 2702.1 of the UMC Discipline, including promoting the Global Methodist Church (GMC) agenda, undermining church unity, and prioritizing the GMC’s Transitional Book of Doctrines over the UMC’s Book of Discipline 2016.
The press statement outlines additional allegations against Rev. Kulah. He is accused of coordinating GMC-related projects, including the Mt. Horeb Global Methodist Church, a group that broke away from the UMC in May 2022.
He is also said to oversee GMC-funded initiatives in Liberia, allegedly sponsored by the Mt. Horeb Church in South Carolina.
Furthermore, Rev. Kulah reportedly participated in a meeting in Nairobi in September 2023, where strategies were discussed to disaffiliate African churches from the UMC. His affiliation with the Wesleyan Covenant Association has also come under scrutiny, with allegations that he has supported breakaway efforts and spread misinformation about the UMC, causing disunity in Africa.
“These allegations strike at the core of our church’s unity and integrity,” the UMC stated. “We are committed to accountability while ensuring that due process is upheld.”
As part of the suspension, Rev. Kulah is prohibited from preaching, teaching, counseling, or representing the UMC. He has been instructed to return all UMC and UMU properties and limit his activities to retrieving personal belongings.
To ensure stability at UMU, the administration has appointed Rev. Dr. George Weagbe as the new Vice President for the Graduate School.
“Our priority is to maintain academic continuity and provide a stable environment for our students and staff,” a UMU representative stated in the press release.
Students were also warned against attending any unauthorized meetings organized by Rev. Kulah, as the university emphasized its adherence to institutional governance.
The UMC described the suspension as a necessary step to uphold the church’s integrity and unity. The press statement confirmed that the investigation into Rev. Kulah’s actions is ongoing, with further updates expected in the coming weeks.
when contacted, Rev. Kulah promised to respond at a later date.
