Fall 2012
In this issue:
In West Michigan, AU Story Inspires Uncommon Generosity
Andra Stevens West Michigan Conference gift of $500,000 to build a welcome center at AU inspired an anonymous donor to match the contribution, increasing the gift to $1 million.
Central Congo Communicator Thanks AU Philip Brooks ‘I was learning how to lead; meanwhile, I was leading. … I am really a changed person after going to Africa University.’− Pierre T. Omadjela
Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly Dies at 92
Compiled from various websites First African-American woman elected to the United Methodist episcopacy leaves a rich legacy of leadership.
U.S.–Zimbabwe Connection Offers Hope Pamela Crosby Steadfast support of Africa University illustrates South Carolina congregation’s ‘transformational partnerships.’
The World Is Her Parish
Elaine Jenkins The Rev. Dr. Martha Orphe expresses her love for Africa by investing in Africa University.
Pittsburgh in 2004. She arranged for the AU choir to perform in concert in the district. She also hosted the choir members in her home for a fabulous meal prepared by her parents, who traveled from Louisiana to do so. “It was one of the high points of my parents’ lives to meet those young, vibrant, engaging students from Africa University,” Orphe reflected. “The meeting was especially poignant for my dad because he had traced his roots to Ghana through DNA testing,” she continued. In 2010, Orphe was formally inducted into the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society because she has included Africa University in her estate plans. Orphe said, “I love Mother Africa, and I want to invest in her future. I firmly believe that the most effective way to do so is by investing in the higher education of Africa’s young women and men. Africa University is the perfect institution to allow me to do so.” Orphe’s dream for Africa University is that one day it will become the premiere university for all of Africa and produce the next generation of African leaders. The late Dr. Nancy M. Carruth inducts the Rev. Dr. Martha Orphe into the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society, September 2010.
—Elaine Jenkins, Africa University Development Office
Martha Marie Orphe’s ministry has taken her to every continent but Antarctica. She has visited 21 countries to date and has visited Africa University at least four times that she can recall. Orphe is the youngest of six children born to Joseph and Dolores Orphe. She and her siblings were reared in St. Martinville, La. She graduated with honors from St. Martinville Senior High School in 1977; she earned her bachelor of arts degree in religion and computer science from Clark College (Atlanta) in 1982; her master of divinity degree from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tenn.) in 1985; and her doctor of ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, D.C.) in 1993. Orphe was ordained a deacon in the Louisiana Annual Conference in
1984 and an elder in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference in 1987. She served for more than 21 years in Western Pennsylvania, including seven years as district superintendent of the Pittsburgh District. In 2006, Orphe re-turned home to Louisiana to serve as the Conference Mission Zone director to supervise the rebuilding of 50 churches and communities in New Orleans and west Louisiana that were severely impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In the midst of her new ministry, grieved the death of her beloved mother, who died one week after Hurricane Katrina, and her beloved sister, who died two weeks after Hurricane Rita. Orphe currently serves as senior pastor of First Street Peck Wesley United Methodist Church and Williams Ross United Methodist Church located in New Orleans. Orphe has been actively engaged with Africa University since its inception in 1988. She has raised awareness, made friends and raised funds for the new university. Orphe was district superintendent when the General Conference of The United Methodist Church was held in
600412/50M
The World Is Her Parish
Celebrating the Connection between Africa University and United Methodist Congregations 100 Percent Support
Thank you for supporting Africa University through your 100 percent remittance of the Africa University Fund apportionment in 2011. Jurisdiction Total Support and Annual Conferences with 100 percent or more in 2011 (includes 2010 performance)
102% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 118.36% 102.86% 99.29% 100% 100% 100% 100% 151.51% 110.50%
2010 North Central Jurisdiction Dakotas East Ohio Illinois Great Rivers Iowa Minnesota Northern Illinois West Michigan West Ohio Wisconsin
100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 133% 112.46% 110.34% 100%
2011
Northeastern Jurisdiction Baltimore-Washington Greater New Jersey New England New York Susquehanna Peninsula-Delaware Upper New York West Virginia Western Pennsylvania
100% 100% 100% 100% 99% 100% 100% 113.58% 114% 100.06% 110.87%
South Central Jurisdiction Central Texas 100% Louisiana 100.01% 100.04% North Texas 100.50% 100% Oklahoma Indian Missionary 100.05% 100% Southeastern Jurisdiction Florida Holston Kentucky North Carolina North Georgia Red Bird Missionary
100.02% 100%
100%
Western Jurisdiction Alaska United Methodist Desert Southwest
As Africa University celebrates 20 years of realized dreams, we look forward to your full support in 2012.
• Africa University is located in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, and is the first fully accredited United Methodist–related educational institution on the African continent, established by action of the General Conference. • Africa University offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in six faculties of learning: agriculture and natural resources, education, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, management and administration and theology. The Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance offers postgraduate diplomas and master’s programs.
Andra Stevens
all sectors, communities can make positive strides.” The West Michigan effort invests in Africa University’s ministry by providing affordable on-campus housing for visiting faculty, mission teams, clergy, youth and others who gather for seminars on topics ranging from food security to peacebuilding in Africa. “What is compelling is what the building is to be used for and how it fits into a ministry that is about strengthening reconciliation, nurturing leadership and shaping a new, more positive future,” said the Rev. Dr. Laurie Haller, the former Grand Rapids District superintendent, who served on the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). Launched in June 2010, the campaign sent speakers out to share the Africa University story in pulpits and at other gatherings across the conference. Eric Mulanda, a theology student from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, itinerated in West Michigan and made presentations via Skype from Zimbabwe. Clergy and lay members of the conference visited the campus and returned to speak with knowledge and passion about the university. “You have to seize the moment, and this was that moment,” said Edwardson, who described the response of
Fall 2012
—Story by Andra Stevens, director of communications in the Africa University Development Office
individual donors as “just incredible.” Haller credits the success of the campaign to the deeply rooted mission culture among United Methodists in Michigan. The Grand Rapids District raised the majority of the funds, and the other five districts each pledged $20,000. Haller notes that the involvement of West Michigan’s district superintendents played a crucial role in the outcome. “There is a story to tell,” said Haller. “Africa University is a ministry that encompasses the four focus areas of our church. The Ubuntu Center project brought the whole conference together in mission in a way that we have not seen previously. Africa University isn’t just a name to us. It’s a ministry in which we have invested.” Going forward, Edwardson sees tremendous scope for growing West Michigan’s engagement with Africa University. “There is a huge opportunity to partner with West Michigan churches and educational institutions to further the success of Africa University on the continent,” said Edwardson.
In West Michigan, AU Story Inspires Uncommon Generosity
The Rev. Dr. Laurie Haller and the West Michigan delegation worked with AU staff to develop the Welcome Center plans in 2010.
Andra Stevens In June, United Methodist congregations in the West Michigan Conference surpassed their goal of $500,000 to build the Ubuntu Welcome/Gathering Center at Africa University. In an area that is just emerging from a decade of economic decline, United Methodists stretched themselves in giving. A layperson’s gift of $5,000, made from the floor of the annual conference event, took the campaign over its goal six months earlier than expected. An anonymous donor matched the conference’s $500,000, making $1 million available for the building and for equipment and furnishings. “West Michigan is making a statement of positive recognition of what Africa University has accomplished in its first 20 years of existence,” said Ed Edwardson, the campaign co-chair. “It speaks to our belief that Africa University truly can be a leader in transforming all of Africa. By providing ethical leadership for