Bishop João Filimone Sambo elected as new resident Bishop
Johannesburg, South Africa — On Saturday, March 15, 2025, Bishop João Filimone Sambo was elected as a resident bishop during the Africa Central Conference session held in Johannesburg. He was consecrated on Sunday, March 16, 2025, and assigned to the Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, and Madagascar Episcopal Area, under the Southern Africa Central Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Bishop Sambo succeeds Bishop Joaquina Filipe, who retired on March 31, 2025, after a faithful and historic tenure that began on July 23, 2008. Bishop Filipe was the first female United Methodist bishop in Africa and served with distinction for nearly 17 years.
Educational and Ministerial Background
Bishop Sambo earned a Bachelor of Divinity in Theology from Africa University in Zimbabwe in 2007. He later received a Master of Divinity with a specialization in Church and Community Leadership in 2010 from the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
In 2016, he was appointed Episcopal Secretary, and in 2022, he also began serving as Administrative Assistant to the Bishop. These leadership roles provided him with extensive experience in episcopal duties, offering him deep insights into the work and mission of the Church at both the local and global levels. Through these roles, Bishop Sambo gained valuable exposure to the daily life and structure of the Church, especially in connectional ministries.
Service in Communication and Global Engagement
Since 2018, Bishop Sambo has collaborated closely with United Methodist Communications (UMCom), focusing on storytelling and editorial work related to mission and ministry in Africa. His particular emphasis has been on reaching Lusophone audiences. Through writing and translating impactful stories, he has helped build a vital bridge between Portuguese-speaking United Methodists and the global Church community.
Personal Life
Bishop Sambo is married to Délia Ester Matsinhe Sambo, and together they are blessed with four children.