Resilience and faith: a renewed partnership in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa

A report from the Revd Andrew Ashdown, Partnership Coordinator for Africa.

“This is a moment of historic significance. The renewal of our partnership means so much to us.” Many shared this sentiment as we stood before a congregation of 8,000 people on Pentecost Sunday, during an open-air service in the town of Dabou in Côte d’Ivoire filled with dancing, singing, prayers and celebration.

In May 2026, I was joined by the Revd Valentin Dedji for the first visit by the Methodist Church in Britain (MCB) to Côte d’Ivoire in over 20 years.

This visit provided an opportunity to renew and deepen our relationship with EPMCI (Église Protestante Methodiste de Côte d’Ivoire) and to learn from one another as church partners seeking to serve God in different contexts.

During the week, we visited 26 churches, over 20 village chiefs, an MP, a Regional Governor, and the Director of Religious Affairs for the State of Côte d'Ivoire.

Each day, from early morning until late in the evening, we journeyed to small towns and isolated villages. And in every place, we were met by processions of singing and dancing Methodist members, overjoyed to welcome visitors from MCB.

The members of EPMCI have a deep sense of historic connection to Wesleyan Methodism and an enduring friendship with MCB – a connection that has remained strong through times of struggle and division.

Alongside the generous welcome we received, we encountered a church whose faith, leadership and witness within communities has much to teach and encourage Methodists in Britain.

EPMCI was established in the 1860s by African Methodist migrant traders from neighbouring Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) and Sierra Leone. In 1914, EPMCI was established as a missionary circuit of the Methodist Church in the Gold Coast. Thousands were converted by local evangelists.

Building on these strong foundations, British Methodist missionary the Revd William John Platt, who arrived in 1923, built and contributed to the development of schools and the training and ordination of local pastors, and assisted the Church’s expansion to other parts of the country.

In 1985, EPMCI became an autonomous Methodist Conference. However, the Church split in the early 2000s, with a large group joining the United Methodist Church (USA), whilst the remainder remained loyal to EPMCI. During this period and in the years that followed, the relationship between MCB and EPMCI became less active in order not to influence complex dynamics.

Despite this sad split, we have found that many members from both branches of the Church continue to worship together and are keen for unity. They were all delighted that MCB has decided to reaffirm our partnership with EPMCI. “We long to share fellowship; to learn from one another, to receive visitors from your Church and to nurture exchange of people and ideas.”

Today, EPMCI is widely recognised and respected. For more than 150 years, it has made a strong contribution to education, evangelism and social development and has played a major role in the spread of Protestant Christianity across Côte d’Ivoire.

The Church continues the Wesleyan Methodist tradition established by African pioneers and later strengthened by British missionaries.

Côte d’Ivoire is one of the world’s leading producers of cocoa – providing around 70% of the cocoa used in European chocolate – as well as a major exporter of palm oil. Yet climate change, environmental degradation, and the exploitation of both land and people continue to have a devastating impact on local communities.

Through our partnership, we are invited to reflect on these challenges, recognising the way that our lives and communities are interconnected and how God calls us to be justice-seeking Churches together.

EPMCI is committed to improving educational opportunities, empowering rural communities, and building resilience.

“We are a church that is vibrant in faith and steadfast in mission and we aim to be a people of faith, hope and service to our communities. Through our partnership we want to share with and learn from the worldwide Methodist family what it means to live out our calling in every place.”

As 8,000 members of EPMCI gathered on Pentecost Sunday, the Vice-President, Mr Denis Akpa, expressed the significance of the occasion:

“We thank the Lord for the renewal of our partnership with the Methodist Conference of Great Britain. Although the distance between us is great, you will always be welcome. We hope there will be many more opportunities for exchange between our people.”

We indeed have much to learn from one another. Despite the contrasts that may appear on the surface between different cultures, we remain profoundly connected through shared faith, heritage and commitment to God's mission, with each church bringing gifts, insights and experiences that can enrich the other.