Done P. Dabale

Done Peter Dabale (April 26, 1949 – August 26, 2006) was the founder of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN).  During the time he was a bishop, membership in the church increased from 10,000 to 400,000.

 Education 
 1967 Nursing Certificate, Numan School of Nursing in Adamawa, Nigeria
 1970 Certificate in General Agriculture, Government Agriculture School in Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria
 1974 Diploma in Theology, Theological College in Bukuru Jos, Nigeria
 1980 International Diploma in Animal Husbandry, Barneveld College  in the Netherlands
 1980 Certificate in Church Administration, Gbarnga School of Theology in Monrovia, Liberia
 1985 Research Certificate in Agriculture and Theology, University of Alabama, USA
 1987 Doctor of Divinity in Theology, Gbarnga School of Theology in Monrovia, Liberia

 Personal life 
Dabale was born in Nyabalang-Yotti of the Jereng District of Adamawa State in Nigeria. He came from a polygamous family. Dabale's mother died when he was an infant; subsequently, he was raised by one of his father's six wives. Dabale senior was a diviner (mypa) and herbalist, who according to Yotti/Bali Traditional Religion was believed to receive his wisdom from the gods and ancestors who interact with the living. Dabale was to inherit his father's leadership position; however, while a student in the city Dabale came in contact with Christians and converted. Some of Dabale's nuclear and extended family members still practice the religion of their ancestors, coexisting with newer religions of Christianity and Islam. Dabale married Kerike C. Dabale, evangelist, farmer and housewife, and they had eleven children.

Awards
 Nigerian National Order of Merit Award – The Vision of Africa Outstanding 2005

Career and contributions
Dabale was officer in charge at the Experimental Farm Center at Numan and as a nurse Dabale served as ward assistant at Numan General Hospital, Adamawa State in Nigeria.

He held numerous secular and religious leadership positions in Nigeria, holding administrative positions and teaching classes in the areas of agriculture, and theology:
 1974 − 76 teacher at Banyam Bible College
 1976 − 77 teacher, the Kakulu Bible Institute
 1977 − 82 principal, the Kakulu Bible Institute
 1980 − 85 pastoral work in Zing
 1980 − 86 pastoral work in Yonko, Muri East
 1982 − 83 District Superintendent of the Muri East District (Evangelical United Brethren)

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 See also 

List of notable pastors in Nigeria

Christianity in Nigeria

References

Category:1949 births
Category:2006 deaths
Category:University of Alabama alumni
Category:Nigerian philanthropists
Category:Nigerian bishops
Category:20th-century Methodist bishops
Category:Nigerian Methodists
Category:Nigerian farmers
Category:Nigerian nurses
Category:Nigerian schoolteachers
Category:Male nurses
Category:People from Adamawa Region
Category:20th-century philanthropists