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BISHOP'S OFFICE

A Call to Prayer

From Bishop Tracy S. Malone

June 26, 2018

I ask for your prayers for Adam Shaw, a global missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) of The United Methodist Church and son of the Rev. Thomas and Susan Shaw of the East Ohio Conference.

I also ask that you pray for Tawanda Chandiwanda of Zimbabwe and Miracle Osman of Malawi.  

I was recently informed that Adam, Tawanda and Miracle were briefly detained by authorities in the Philippines as a result of their work in that country.

All efforts are being made throughout the connection of The United Methodist Church, working through various diplomatic channels, to ensure that each be given clearance for an immediate and safe return to their homes.

I call attention to this situation so that you can join me in prayer for Adam, Tawanda, Miracle and their families.

May God‘s peace and justice prevail!

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United Methodists Call for Immediate Release of Missionaries Being Held by Republic of the Philippines

Leaders Launch Worldwide Campaign Against Treatment of Three Missionaries in the Philippines Who Have Been Denied Permission to Leave the Country

Atlanta, Ga. (June 26, 2018) – Calling for a missionary’s immediate release from the Bicutan Detention Center in the Philippines, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church today took the unusual step of calling upon the government of the Republic of the Philippines to expedite the discharge of a young adult United Methodist missionary who has been the victim of repeated bureaucratic delays that have caused him to be incarcerated for more than six weeks.

The Council, and the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, the agency from which Tawanda Chandiwana received his Christian commission, are launching a worldwide campaign to call public attention to the plight of Tawanda and two other missionaries who were in the country fulfilling their commission to show God’s love in the world.

Despite continuing efforts by the staff of the local regional United Methodist conference, Philippines-based attorneys and officials with The United Methodist Church, Mr. Chandiwana of Mutare, Zimbabwe, Adam Shaw of Brunswick, Ohio, and Miracle Osman of Blantyre, Malawi, have experienced repeated difficulties getting the legal documents and clearance they need to leave the Republic of the Philippines.

Read entire press release here.

Updates:

07.03.08
UMNS - Leaders call for release of two missionaries after one expelled