A big tree has fallen in the Methodist forest!
It was with sadness that the President and Officers of the World Methodist Council learned of the
passing of His Eminence Sunday Coffie Mbang on 16th May 2023 at the age of 86.
Sunday Mbang was a man of unusual courage and steadfast principles. His visionary leadership
gifts and skills were recognized very early in his ministry, and it came as no surprise when he
was elected as the second Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, an office he held for two
decades. He was also elected as the second African President of the World Methodist Council.
His Eminence Mbang worked tirelessly for justice, peace, and reconciliation in the church and
society. He was honored by many organizations, including the World Methodist Council Peace
Award, the Order of Niger, and Honorary Doctorates from the Baptist Seminary Ogbomosho,
Oyo State, and the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nsakka, Enugu State.
His Eminence provided courageous leadership as President of the Christian Association of
Nigeria during the dark days of Military dictatorship. He also worked with the Muslim
leadership to ensure religious harmony and peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths.
World Methodist Council General Secretary commenting on the passing of Sunday Mbang said,
“He was an iconic leader of immense compassion, integrity, and wisdom, a role model for a
younger generation of ministers like myself. We all drew inspiration, confidence, and hope from
our ‘father in the faith’ who was unwilling to settle for nothing less than our full potential in
exercising the gifts God gave us.”
Even in his retirement, His Eminence Sunday Mbang contributed significantly to support
colleagues through his wise counsel, advancing mission and development.
The WMC passes sincere condolences to the Mbang family during their time of bereavement.
We owe the family a great debt of gratitude for sharing a father, uncle, and grandfather with us.
Our lives are much richer because of him.
We will miss his mischievous smile, his impish laughter, his big heart, his magnanimous spirit,
and his warm friendship. We give thanks to God for his life and ministry.
Sleep well, dear father. Sleep well in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection.
