Published: January 16, 2026
GBARTALA, Bong County — The United Methodist Church (UMC) in Gbarnga has warned Bong County District #3 Rep. Josiah Marvin Cole to stay away from the 79th Annual Session of the Gbarnga District Conference, now underway in Gbartala City, citing comments he allegedly made that portrayed the church as promoting homosexuality.
The annual conference, which began Monday, has drawn hundreds of worshippers from United Methodist congregations across Gbarnga and surrounding communities.
Tensions flared Tuesday when Cole reportedly arrived at the conference to identify with the gathering. His presence was met with murmurs and visible discontent, prompting the District Superintendent, Rev. Peter Kapkeh, to address the issue publicly.
Kapkeh called on Cole to retract remarks he allegedly made last year during an appearance on Super Bongese Radio — comments church leaders say cast the denomination in a negative light and misrepresented its doctrine and biblical teachings.
According to Kapkeh, the lawmaker accused the church of practicing homosexuality or supporting same-sex marriage, claims he described as damaging and misleading.
“He branded the United Methodist Church in a way that sends an ugly image to the outside world,” Kapkeh said.
Kapkeh urged Cole to issue a public apology, warning that failure to do so would result in the church distancing itself from him and barring him from church activities.
“If Hon. Cole can’t be apologetic, the church will distance itself from you,” Kapkeh said. “The church is asking you to stay away with all of your support if you cannot apologize for your unfounded statements.”
He also said the church would not support Cole in any future political bid because of what he called the lawmaker’s attack on the institution.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the incident, Cole rejected the allegations and said he would not apologize.
“I can’t apologize because I came here and explained to them that I was not talking about the church,” Cole said. “The Bible says if you are persecuted, you must be persecuted for the right thing.”
Cole claimed his remarks were misconstrued and said his comments were directed at individuals who support same-sex marriage, not the United Methodist Church as an institution. He added that members of the church who support same-sex marriage should not vote for him.
“As a leader, you must be a man of your word,” Cole said. “I said if you are a Methodist and you believe that a woman and a woman should marry, I don’t support you. If you are a man and you believe that a man and a man should marry, I don’t support you — and I maintain that I will not withdraw that statement.”
A video of Cole’s appearance on Super Bongese Radio obtained by this newspaper captures him saying:
“Karfiah has legitimized, by his actions and inactions, gay rights in the Methodist Church. I want to state here to you Methodist people who support same-sex marriage: don’t vote for me in this county. If you vote for me, a curse will be on your head. I don’t need your vote because I don’t support same-sex marriage.”
The dispute underscores rising tensions between religious institutions and political figures in Bong County, where debates over doctrine, morality and political rhetoric continue to generate controversy.
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