Africa University Today Newsletter Summer 2012

600312/50M

Breaking Down Barriers through Education

Summer 2012

In this issue:

Africa University: A University for United Methodists around the World Stephen Drachler AU graduates serve as delegates, translators and staff persons at GC2012.

UMC Affirms and Reinvests in AU

Andra Stevens The United Methodist Church’s approval of a new, lower budget for 20132016 presents a serious funding challenge for Africa University.

Four 2012 Graduates Selected as GBGM Mission Interns Andra Stevens Liberian graduate enters training for service as a GBGM mission intern.

Africa University Grads Enrich Communities

Andra Stevens In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the work and community-outreach efforts of alumni make an impact.

Breaking Down Barriers through Education

Elaine Jenkins Bill and Debbi Iwig made their connection with Africa University through their local church.

Bill and Debbi made their connection with Africa University through their local church and through one of their close friends, the Rev. F. Lloyd Rollins. Rollins’s enthusiasm was infectious. In 2002, Debbi traveled to Africa University with a small group led by Rollins.

This was Debbi’s first trip to the continent of Africa, and it made a lasting impression upon her. She was also very impressed by what Africa University had accomplished in only 10 short years.

This new university quickly captured the Iwigs’ imagination. “We believe that education can break down barriers, and we loved the idea of a place in Africa where students could come from all over the continent to receive an education grounded in Christian values,” they shared.

Bill and Debbi have not only been generous annual supporters of Africa University but they have also included the university in their estate plans. They plan to celebrate Africa University’s 20th anniversary on campus with a group led by Rollins.

Bill and Debbi Iwig

—Elaine Jenkins, Africa University Development Office

Bill and Debbi Iwig have a deep heritage, both having been born and reared in the Midwest. Bill grew up on a dairy farm owned and operated by his father and uncles and located near Topeka, Kan. Here he learned to appreciate hard work and a supportive extended family.

Debbi grew up primarily in Kansas and Missouri, developing an adventurous spirit from her family’s frequent moves.

Education was an integral part of their young adult years. Bill and Debbi met while students at Baker University, Baldwin City, Kan. Both graduated with degrees in mathematics.

Subsequently, Bill earned his master’s degree in statistics from Texas A&M University, and Debbi completed her master’s in business administration at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Bill and Debbi married in 1975 and lived in Lincoln, Neb., for two years before being transferred to Washington, D.C., so that Bill could be closer to his place of employment with the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For more than 37 years, Bill has served the American public through this agency.

Debbi recently retired after nine years as CFO for Project HOPE, an international health education and humanitarian assistance organization. This was preceded by a 20-year career with Marriott International in various financial and management positions.

Debbi and Bill said that these job opportunities only occurred because of their solid educational background. They want to make this same opportunity available to others.

Bill grew up in The Evangelical United Brethren Church and Debbi in The Methodist Church. Christian faith and church life have always been important aspects of their lives. They have been actively involved in the ministry programs of Annandale United Methodist Church (Va.) for the last 27 years.

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

Summer 2012

—Stephen Drachler is a communications consultant with the AU Development Office

Muyombo, who is president of the recently opened Kamina Methodist University in the Republic of the Congo.

He was a delegate from the North Katanga Conference.

“The prayers and gifts of the people who call themselves United Methodist, given to build and support Africa University, have changed my life and that of thousands of African young people,” Muyombo said to applause from the delegates.

“I am but one piece of the dream,” he declared.

Bishop Marcus Matthews, vice chair of the university’s board of directors, said, “Africa University is one of the most significant things our denomination has done in the past 20 years.” He added, “The university is what unites us as United Methodists, preparing leaders for Africa and the world.”

The university, Matthews continued, offers the denomination a model of diverse peoples coming together.

“Africa University has shown how a diverse community can break down walls between people and countries. The university models what it means to be in community. The church can learn from the university’s experience,” he said.

Africa University: A University for United Methodists around the World

AU alumni from Angola, DRC, Mozambique and Nigeria, representing the 1994 pioneer graduating class through the class of 2010, served as translators and staff at GC2012

Stephen Drachler

Africa University’s expanding influence across Africa and throughout The United Methodist Church showed throughout the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla. The official parts – the colorful garb and inspirational singing of the university’s renowned choir and the celebration of the university’s 20th anniversary — were impressive and warmly greeted by the nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world.

But more important, and woven deeply into the fabric of the conference, were the contributions of Africa University graduates. Some were delegates and alternate delegates to the assembly that met from April 24 to May 5 in the Tampa Convention Center. AU graduates served as chairpersons of delegations, officers of legislative committees, presenters of

reports to the conference, translators and staff persons.

The Rev. Dr. Laishi Bwalya of Zambia, who earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in theology at AU, was elected to chair the influential Legislative Committee on Discipleship. He also headed the Zambia Provisional Conference’s delegation to the conference. Another AU graduate, the Rev. Levson Ion Mhone, who received a bachelor of divinity degree in 1997, headed the Malawi Missionary Conference delegation.

The Rev. Guy Mande Muyombo, awarded a bachelor of divinity degree in 2006 and a master’s of peace and governance in 2008, represented the more than 4,000 students who have graduated over the past 20 years as he offered his testimony to the conference.

“Thank you for living out a powerful and transforming gospel in a ministry called Africa University,” said

—Elaine Jenkins, Africa University Development Office

Bill and Debbi Iwig have a deep heritage, both having been born and reared in the Midwest. Bill grew up on a dairy farm owned and operated by his father and uncles and located near Topeka, Kan. Here he learned to appreciate hard work and a supportive extended family.

Debbi grew up primarily in Kansas and Missouri, developing an adventurous spirit from her family’s frequent moves.

Education was an integral part of their young adult years. Bill and Debbi met while students at Baker University, Baldwin City, Kan. Both graduated with degrees in mathematics.

Subsequently, Bill earned his master’s degree in statistics from Texas A&M University, and Debbi completed her master’s in business administration at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Bill and Debbi Iwig

100 Percent Support Thank you for supporting Africa University through your 100 percent remittance of the Africa University Fund apportionment in 2011.

Africa University: A University for United Methodists around the World

Jurisdiction Total Support and Annual Conferences with 100 percent or more in 2011 (includes 2010 performance)

2011

2010

North Central Jurisdiction Dakotas East Ohio Illinois Great Rivers Iowa Minnesota Northern Illinois West Michigan West Ohio Wisconsin

102% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 118.36% 102.86% 99.29% 100% 100% 100% 100% 151.51% 110.50%

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% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 133% 112.46% 110.34% 100%

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% 100% 100% 100% 99% 100% 100% 113.58% 114% 100.06% 110.87%

Western Jurisdiction Alaska United Methodist Desert Southwest

100.02% 100%

100%

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

Elaine Jenkins Bill and Debbi Iwig made their connection with Africa University through their local church.

Breaking Down Barriers through Education

Andra Stevens In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the work and community-outreach efforts of alumni make an impact.

Africa University Grads Enrich Communities

Andra Stevens Liberian graduate enters training for service as a GBGM mission intern.

Four 2012 Graduates Selected as GBGM Mission Interns

Andra Stevens The United Methodist Church’s approval of a new, lower budget for 20132016 presents a serious funding challenge for Africa University.

UMC Affirms and Reinvests in AU

Stephen Drachler AU graduates serve as delegates, translators and staff persons at GC2012.

Africa University: A University for United Methodists around the World In this issue:

Summer 2012

Bill and Debbi made their connection with Africa University through their local church and through one of their close friends, the Rev. F. Lloyd Rollins. Rollins’s enthusiasm was infectious. In 2002, Debbi traveled to Africa University with a small group led by Rollins.

This was Debbi’s first trip to the continent of Africa, and it made a lasting impression upon her. She was also very impressed by what Africa University had accomplished in only 10 short years.

This new university quickly captured the Iwigs’ imagination. “We believe that education can break down barriers, and we loved the idea of a place in Africa where students could come from all over the continent to receive an education grounded in Christian values,” they shared.

Bill and Debbi have not only been generous annual supporters of Africa University but they have also included the university in their estate plans. They plan to celebrate Africa University’s 20th anniversary on campus with a group led by Rollins.

Bill and Debbi married in 1975 and lived in Lincoln, Neb., for two years before being transferred to Washington, D.C., so that Bill could be closer to his place of employment with the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For more than 37 years, Bill has served the American public through this agency.

Debbi recently retired after nine years as CFO for Project HOPE, an international health education and humanitarian assistance organization. This was preceded by a 20-year career with Marriott International in various financial and management positions.

Debbi and Bill said that these job opportunities only occurred because of their solid educational background. They want to make this same opportunity available to others.

Bill grew up in The Evangelical United Brethren Church and Debbi in The Methodist Church. Christian faith and church life have always been important aspects of their lives. They have been actively involved in the ministry programs of Annandale United Methodist Church (Va.) for the last 27 years.

Breaking Down Barriers through Education 600312/50M

Summer 2012

AU alumni from Angola, DRC, Mozambique and Nigeria, representing the 1994 pioneer graduating class through the class of 2010, served as translators and staff at GC2012

Stephen Drachler Africa University’s expanding influence across Africa and throughout The United Methodist Church showed throughout the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla. The official parts – the colorful garb and inspirational singing of the university’s renowned choir and the celebration of the university’s 20th anniversary — were impressive and warmly greeted by the nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world.

But more important, and woven deeply into the fabric of the conference, were the contributions of Africa University graduates. Some were delegates and alternate delegates to the assembly that met from April 24 to May 5 in the Tampa Convention Center. AU graduates served as chairpersons of delegations, officers of legislative committees, presenters of

reports to the conference, translators and staff persons.

The Rev. Dr. Laishi Bwalya of Zambia, who earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in theology at AU, was elected to chair the influential Legislative Committee on Discipleship. He also headed the Zambia Provisional Conference’s delegation to the conference. Another AU graduate, the Rev. Levson Ion Mhone, who received a bachelor of divinity degree in 1997, headed the Malawi Missionary Conference delegation.

The Rev. Guy Mande Muyombo, awarded a bachelor of divinity degree in 2006 and a master’s of peace and governance in 2008, represented the more than 4,000 students who have graduated over the past 20 years as he offered his testimony to the conference.

“Thank you for living out a powerful and transforming gospel in a ministry called Africa University,” said

Muyombo, who is president of the recently opened Kamina Methodist University in the Republic of the Congo.

He was a delegate from the North Katanga Conference.

“The prayers and gifts of the people who call themselves United Methodist, given to build and support Africa University, have changed my life and that of thousands of African young people,” Muyombo said to applause from the delegates.

“I am but one piece of the dream,” he declared.

Bishop Marcus Matthews, vice chair of the university’s board of directors, said, “Africa University is one of the most significant things our denomination has done in the past 20 years.” He added, “The university is what unites us as United Methodists, preparing leaders for Africa and the world.”

The university, Matthews continued, offers the denomination a model of diverse peoples coming together.

“Africa University has shown how a diverse community can break down walls between people and countries. The university models what it means to be in community. The church can learn from the university’s experience,” he said.

—Stephen Drachler is a communications consultant with the AU Development Office

• Africa University Fund: Living beyond the Dream DVD (86000508) • Africa University Fund Brochure (86000407) Order these and other resources from United Methodist Communications by calling toll-free (888) 346-3862.

Encourage your local church to set a 100 percent apportionmentremittance goal! Sending a portion of your goal each month makes it easier to reach full remittance by year’s end.

Africa University apportionment receipts from local churches provide the basics necessary to operate the university, such as utilities, equipment and faculty salaries.

Honor your friends or family by sponsoring an Africa University student in their name.

2

Andra Stevens

For more information, visit www.umcgiving.org or www.infoserv.umc.org.

Zigbuo with Indiana mission team member Mary Beth Byrne in Zimbabwe last November

Andra Stevens In June, Africa University’s 18th graduation ceremony marked the midpoint of a yearlong celebration of its 20th anniversary. More than 380 young people, filled with the hopefulness of new beginnings, received their degree certificates on the campus on June 9.

The class of 2012 included young women and men from 20 African countries. Among these graduates was a young man, Christian Zigbuo, who completed a four-year degree in computer information systems, thanks to direct scholarship

contributions from the Indiana Annual Conference.

“I feel that I have to do something to pay back what has been done for me,” said Zigbuo.

“I think that the best means is to give myself into mission service and let God use me.”

In May, Zigbuo, 30, was accepted into the Young Adult Missionary program of The United Methodist Church.

Administered by the General Board of Global Ministries, the program equips young people to serve in diverse situations.

“Sometimes persons talk about the ‘return’ they get for an investment in education,” said Ruth Ellen Stone, a member of Indiana’s Africa University Committee and of the AU Advisory Development Committee. “This is an enormous and rapid one. We send congratulations to Christian and the other graduates and look forward to hearing about his experience, wherever he is assigned to serve.”

Zigbuo survived years of

train as mission interns. Albert Otshudi, Jacques Kambol and Rachel Faida Bahati, all from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are also in the program.

Africa University’s alumni now

number close to 4,500, and they are at work in communities across the continent.

—Andra Stevens, Africa University Development Office

Africa University Grads Enrich Communities Students in classroom lab at AU

operating and for supporting students,” says Salley. “It really boils down to having to try to find resources from elsewhere in order to maintain the current enrollment and take care of the day-to-day cost of operations. We have to make it up somehow.”

—Andra Stevens is director of communications, Africa University Development Office

Four Graduates Selected as GBGM Mission Interns

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Central Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Visit Africa University’s Website at www.africau.edu.

Fund, that works out to a cut in funding of almost $800,000 over the four-year period.

“It’s a big hit to our budget,” says James H. Salley, the university’s associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement.

“For AU, losing $800,000 will have a major impact on our ability to provide financial aid and scholarships for students and meet operational costs.”

Salley notes that when the decrease in apportionment funding to Africa University comes into effect in January 2013, it will make the institution’s financial situation even tighter.

“It means that at a time when we are challenged to put more people in school, we will have fewer resources available for

me to so many people and made me who God wants me to be.”

Zigbuo is one of four Africa University graduates selected to

Andra Stevens

Andra Stevens Africa University is moving forward into the next quadrennium with the continuing investment of The United Methodist Church, though at a lower level than it has had up to now.

In May, the General Conference recommitted itself to the institution with the approval of the Africa University Fund (AUF) apportionment for 201316. The delegates approved an overall budget for the church of $603.1 million for 2013-16, which includes the AUF and six other general church funds.

However, the new budget is lower than it was for 2009-12, due to an across-the-board reduction in spending of just over 6 percent. For the Africa University

Order a family of resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment:

Learn more about how you can put your faith into action by contacting the Africa University Development Office at (615) 340-7438, audevoffice@gbhem.org or www.support-africauniversity.org.

continued from previous page

UMC Affirms and Reinvests in AU

Give Faithfully.

Give Hope.

upheaval due to war and displacement before enrolling at Africa University. He lost his mother at age 6 and was raised by an older sister for a time.

Forced to flee Liberia in fear of his life, Zigbuo spent much of his childhood as a refugee in the Ivory Coast.

When he returned to Liberia in 1999, his father was dead and the fighting had claimed the lives of a brother and two sisters. But the fragile cease-fire in Liberia did not hold. In 2002, Zigbuo was forced to flee again, this time to Ghana. Throughout it all, Zigbuo said he prayed for and dreamed of a better future.

“I’m very grateful to God for bringing me so far; especially looking at my background and seeing where I am today, God has truly answered my prayers,” said Zigbuo. “Having graduated from AU, I can say that the dream is alive for me. AU has connected

continued on next page

Freddy Kyoni Nday and colleagues look at building plans for the new school site

Andra Stevens In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country rich in resources but hampered by hurdles, Africa University graduates are making a significant difference.

Gustav Kabamba is an example. He earned a master’s degree in public health at Africa University in 2008. Under the Tenke Fungurume Mine’s community-investment program, Kabamba strives to reduce the health challenges confronting the rapidly growing population surrounding the mine. Priorities include vaccinating against measles, reducing malaria and HIV/AIDS infection, and providing clean water.

“We’re grateful for what the church has done for us,” said Kabamba. “We want to change things, to improve situations.”

The DRC is enormous, almost a million square miles, and mineral-rich. Diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt and crude oil are its major exports. It has more than 308,000 square miles of arable land, good climatic conditions and ample water resources.

Yet in 2011, the DRC ranked last in the United Nations

Human Development Index rankings. In an assessment of health, education, income, gender inequality and multidimensional poverty, the U.N. found that the vast majority of the DRC’s 67.7 million people face major gaps in well-being and life opportunities.

“The critical task of graduates, these persons with vital knowledge and professional skills, is to uplift communities,” said Thérèse Lukenge Kapwibwe, a United Methodist and minister of mines for the province of Katanga.

“This is what our people

desperately need and are looking for from us.

“Having been educated outside of the country, they bring back new ideas, familiarity with new technology and differences in attitude that are helping us confront many challenges,” she said.

More than a dozen Africa University graduates are valued employees at TFM. As a group, these alumni pay school fees for about 90 children, helped to fund construction of a church building and started a prayer group for the mainly male population at the mine.

What drives their community – outreach efforts? Freddy Kyoni Nday, an agriculture graduate, credits the spiritual life on the Africa University campus.

“Our vision is to contribute so that people move forward with the word of God being part of their lives and decisions,” said Nday. “That way there will be peace and we will develop as we should, on the resources base of our country.”

Nine of the AU graduates who work for TFM

—Andra Stevens, Africa University Development Office

How You Can Help Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith, hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. We are counting on you! Your church’s 100 percent apportionment remittance means 100 percent support of Africa University’s operational budget. Consider these additional ways of helping the university to educate new leaders for the nations of Africa: Planned Gifts – Planned gifts are the foundation for the longterm survival of Africa University.

For many, a bequest offers an opportunity to make a more substantial charitable gift than would be possible during one’s lifetime. As you make your estate plans, consider leaving a gift to Africa University in your will. If you already have included Africa University in your estate plans, please let us know so we may welcome you to the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society.

Usahwira –This word in the Shona language means “a beautiful friendship.” Encourage your local church to become a partner with Africa University by supporting one student at the university for four years.

The cost to support one student annually is $5,400. Local churches may provide full or partial scholarships.

Endowment Fund –Give to the Africa University Endowment Fund (World Service Special Gift #03-01-88). The interest income from the endowment is used to provide scholarships for our students.

Africa University is supported by congregations and individuals across The United Methodist Church. Let’s work together to continue the transformation of lives and of Africa.

For more information, please contact: Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438 (phone) (615) 340-7290 (fax) audevoffice@gbhem.org www.support-africauniversity.org

3

• Africa University Fund: Living beyond the Dream DVD (86000508) • Africa University Fund Brochure (86000407) Order these and other resources from United Methodist Communications by calling toll-free (888) 346-3862.

Encourage your local church to set a 100 percent apportionmentremittance goal! Sending a portion of your goal each month makes it easier to reach full remittance by year’s end.

Africa University apportionment receipts from local churches provide the basics necessary to operate the university, such as utilities, equipment and faculty salaries.

Honor your friends or family by sponsoring an Africa University student in their name.

2

Andra Stevens

For more information, visit www.umcgiving.org or www.infoserv.umc.org.

Zigbuo with Indiana mission team member Mary Beth Byrne in Zimbabwe last November

Andra Stevens In June, Africa University’s 18th graduation ceremony marked the midpoint of a yearlong celebration of its 20th anniversary. More than 380 young people, filled with the hopefulness of new beginnings, received their degree certificates on the campus on June 9.

The class of 2012 included young women and men from 20 African countries. Among these graduates was a young man, Christian Zigbuo, who completed a four-year degree in computer information systems, thanks to direct scholarship

contributions from the Indiana Annual Conference.

“I feel that I have to do something to pay back what has been done for me,” said Zigbuo.

“I think that the best means is to give myself into mission service and let God use me.”

In May, Zigbuo, 30, was accepted into the Young Adult Missionary program of The United Methodist Church.

Administered by the General Board of Global Ministries, the program equips young people to serve in diverse situations.

“Sometimes persons talk about the ‘return’ they get for an investment in education,” said Ruth Ellen Stone, a member of Indiana’s Africa University Committee and of the AU Advisory Development Committee. “This is an enormous and rapid one. We send congratulations to Christian and the other graduates and look forward to hearing about his experience, wherever he is assigned to serve.”

Zigbuo survived years of

train as mission interns. Albert Otshudi, Jacques Kambol and Rachel Faida Bahati, all from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are also in the program.

Africa University’s alumni now

number close to 4,500, and they are at work in communities across the continent.

—Andra Stevens, Africa University Development Office

Africa University Grads Enrich Communities Students in classroom lab at AU

operating and for supporting students,” says Salley. “It really boils down to having to try to find resources from elsewhere in order to maintain the current enrollment and take care of the day-to-day cost of operations. We have to make it up somehow.”

—Andra Stevens is director of communications, Africa University Development Office

Four Graduates Selected as GBGM Mission Interns

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Central Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Visit Africa University’s Website at www.africau.edu.

Fund, that works out to a cut in funding of almost $800,000 over the four-year period.

“It’s a big hit to our budget,” says James H. Salley, the university’s associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement.

“For AU, losing $800,000 will have a major impact on our ability to provide financial aid and scholarships for students and meet operational costs.”

Salley notes that when the decrease in apportionment funding to Africa University comes into effect in January 2013, it will make the institution’s financial situation even tighter.

“It means that at a time when we are challenged to put more people in school, we will have fewer resources available for

me to so many people and made me who God wants me to be.”

Zigbuo is one of four Africa University graduates selected to

Andra Stevens

Andra Stevens Africa University is moving forward into the next quadrennium with the continuing investment of The United Methodist Church, though at a lower level than it has had up to now.

In May, the General Conference recommitted itself to the institution with the approval of the Africa University Fund (AUF) apportionment for 201316. The delegates approved an overall budget for the church of $603.1 million for 2013-16, which includes the AUF and six other general church funds.

However, the new budget is lower than it was for 2009-12, due to an across-the-board reduction in spending of just over 6 percent. For the Africa University

Order a family of resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment:

Learn more about how you can put your faith into action by contacting the Africa University Development Office at (615) 340-7438, audevoffice@gbhem.org or www.support-africauniversity.org.

continued from previous page

UMC Affirms and Reinvests in AU

Give Faithfully.

Give Hope.

upheaval due to war and displacement before enrolling at Africa University. He lost his mother at age 6 and was raised by an older sister for a time.

Forced to flee Liberia in fear of his life, Zigbuo spent much of his childhood as a refugee in the Ivory Coast.

When he returned to Liberia in 1999, his father was dead and the fighting had claimed the lives of a brother and two sisters. But the fragile cease-fire in Liberia did not hold. In 2002, Zigbuo was forced to flee again, this time to Ghana. Throughout it all, Zigbuo said he prayed for and dreamed of a better future.

“I’m very grateful to God for bringing me so far; especially looking at my background and seeing where I am today, God has truly answered my prayers,” said Zigbuo. “Having graduated from AU, I can say that the dream is alive for me. AU has connected

continued on next page

Freddy Kyoni Nday and colleagues look at building plans for the new school site

Andra Stevens In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country rich in resources but hampered by hurdles, Africa University graduates are making a significant difference.

Gustav Kabamba is an example. He earned a master’s degree in public health at Africa University in 2008. Under the Tenke Fungurume Mine’s community-investment program, Kabamba strives to reduce the health challenges confronting the rapidly growing population surrounding the mine. Priorities include vaccinating against measles, reducing malaria and HIV/AIDS infection, and providing clean water.

“We’re grateful for what the church has done for us,” said Kabamba. “We want to change things, to improve situations.”

The DRC is enormous, almost a million square miles, and mineral-rich. Diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt and crude oil are its major exports. It has more than 308,000 square miles of arable land, good climatic conditions and ample water resources.

Yet in 2011, the DRC ranked last in the United Nations

Human Development Index rankings. In an assessment of health, education, income, gender inequality and multidimensional poverty, the U.N. found that the vast majority of the DRC’s 67.7 million people face major gaps in well-being and life opportunities.

“The critical task of graduates, these persons with vital knowledge and professional skills, is to uplift communities,” said Thérèse Lukenge Kapwibwe, a United Methodist and minister of mines for the province of Katanga.

“This is what our people

desperately need and are looking for from us.

“Having been educated outside of the country, they bring back new ideas, familiarity with new technology and differences in attitude that are helping us confront many challenges,” she said.

More than a dozen Africa University graduates are valued employees at TFM. As a group, these alumni pay school fees for about 90 children, helped to fund construction of a church building and started a prayer group for the mainly male population at the mine.

What drives their community – outreach efforts? Freddy Kyoni Nday, an agriculture graduate, credits the spiritual life on the Africa University campus.

“Our vision is to contribute so that people move forward with the word of God being part of their lives and decisions,” said Nday. “That way there will be peace and we will develop as we should, on the resources base of our country.”

Nine of the AU graduates who work for TFM

—Andra Stevens, Africa University Development Office

How You Can Help Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith, hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. We are counting on you! Your church’s 100 percent apportionment remittance means 100 percent support of Africa University’s operational budget. Consider these additional ways of helping the university to educate new leaders for the nations of Africa: Planned Gifts – Planned gifts are the foundation for the longterm survival of Africa University.

For many, a bequest offers an opportunity to make a more substantial charitable gift than would be possible during one’s lifetime. As you make your estate plans, consider leaving a gift to Africa University in your will. If you already have included Africa University in your estate plans, please let us know so we may welcome you to the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society.

Usahwira –This word in the Shona language means “a beautiful friendship.” Encourage your local church to become a partner with Africa University by supporting one student at the university for four years.

The cost to support one student annually is $5,400. Local churches may provide full or partial scholarships.

Endowment Fund –Give to the Africa University Endowment Fund (World Service Special Gift #03-01-88). The interest income from the endowment is used to provide scholarships for our students.

Africa University is supported by congregations and individuals across The United Methodist Church. Let’s work together to continue the transformation of lives and of Africa.

For more information, please contact: Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438 (phone) (615) 340-7290 (fax) audevoffice@gbhem.org www.support-africauniversity.org

3

600312/50M

Breaking Down Barriers through Education

Summer 2012

In this issue:

Africa University: A University for United Methodists around the World Stephen Drachler AU graduates serve as delegates, translators and staff persons at GC2012.

UMC Affirms and Reinvests in AU

Andra Stevens The United Methodist Church’s approval of a new, lower budget for 20132016 presents a serious funding challenge for Africa University.

Four 2012 Graduates Selected as GBGM Mission Interns Andra Stevens Liberian graduate enters training for service as a GBGM mission intern.

Africa University Grads Enrich Communities

Andra Stevens In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the work and community-outreach efforts of alumni make an impact.

Breaking Down Barriers through Education

Elaine Jenkins Bill and Debbi Iwig made their connection with Africa University through their local church.

Bill and Debbi made their connection with Africa University through their local church and through one of their close friends, the Rev. F. Lloyd Rollins. Rollins’s enthusiasm was infectious. In 2002, Debbi traveled to Africa University with a small group led by Rollins.

This was Debbi’s first trip to the continent of Africa, and it made a lasting impression upon her. She was also very impressed by what Africa University had accomplished in only 10 short years.

This new university quickly captured the Iwigs’ imagination. “We believe that education can break down barriers, and we loved the idea of a place in Africa where students could come from all over the continent to receive an education grounded in Christian values,” they shared.

Bill and Debbi have not only been generous annual supporters of Africa University but they have also included the university in their estate plans. They plan to celebrate Africa University’s 20th anniversary on campus with a group led by Rollins.

Bill and Debbi Iwig

—Elaine Jenkins, Africa University Development Office

Bill and Debbi Iwig have a deep heritage, both having been born and reared in the Midwest. Bill grew up on a dairy farm owned and operated by his father and uncles and located near Topeka, Kan. Here he learned to appreciate hard work and a supportive extended family.

Debbi grew up primarily in Kansas and Missouri, developing an adventurous spirit from her family’s frequent moves.

Education was an integral part of their young adult years. Bill and Debbi met while students at Baker University, Baldwin City, Kan. Both graduated with degrees in mathematics.

Subsequently, Bill earned his master’s degree in statistics from Texas A&M University, and Debbi completed her master’s in business administration at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Bill and Debbi married in 1975 and lived in Lincoln, Neb., for two years before being transferred to Washington, D.C., so that Bill could be closer to his place of employment with the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For more than 37 years, Bill has served the American public through this agency.

Debbi recently retired after nine years as CFO for Project HOPE, an international health education and humanitarian assistance organization. This was preceded by a 20-year career with Marriott International in various financial and management positions.

Debbi and Bill said that these job opportunities only occurred because of their solid educational background. They want to make this same opportunity available to others.

Bill grew up in The Evangelical United Brethren Church and Debbi in The Methodist Church. Christian faith and church life have always been important aspects of their lives. They have been actively involved in the ministry programs of Annandale United Methodist Church (Va.) for the last 27 years.

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

Summer 2012

—Stephen Drachler is a communications consultant with the AU Development Office

Muyombo, who is president of the recently opened Kamina Methodist University in the Republic of the Congo.

He was a delegate from the North Katanga Conference.

“The prayers and gifts of the people who call themselves United Methodist, given to build and support Africa University, have changed my life and that of thousands of African young people,” Muyombo said to applause from the delegates.

“I am but one piece of the dream,” he declared.

Bishop Marcus Matthews, vice chair of the university’s board of directors, said, “Africa University is one of the most significant things our denomination has done in the past 20 years.” He added, “The university is what unites us as United Methodists, preparing leaders for Africa and the world.”

The university, Matthews continued, offers the denomination a model of diverse peoples coming together.

“Africa University has shown how a diverse community can break down walls between people and countries. The university models what it means to be in community. The church can learn from the university’s experience,” he said.

Africa University: A University for United Methodists around the World

AU alumni from Angola, DRC, Mozambique and Nigeria, representing the 1994 pioneer graduating class through the class of 2010, served as translators and staff at GC2012

Stephen Drachler

Africa University’s expanding influence across Africa and throughout The United Methodist Church showed throughout the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla. The official parts – the colorful garb and inspirational singing of the university’s renowned choir and the celebration of the university’s 20th anniversary — were impressive and warmly greeted by the nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world.

But more important, and woven deeply into the fabric of the conference, were the contributions of Africa University graduates. Some were delegates and alternate delegates to the assembly that met from April 24 to May 5 in the Tampa Convention Center. AU graduates served as chairpersons of delegations, officers of legislative committees, presenters of

reports to the conference, translators and staff persons.

The Rev. Dr. Laishi Bwalya of Zambia, who earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in theology at AU, was elected to chair the influential Legislative Committee on Discipleship. He also headed the Zambia Provisional Conference’s delegation to the conference. Another AU graduate, the Rev. Levson Ion Mhone, who received a bachelor of divinity degree in 1997, headed the Malawi Missionary Conference delegation.

The Rev. Guy Mande Muyombo, awarded a bachelor of divinity degree in 2006 and a master’s of peace and governance in 2008, represented the more than 4,000 students who have graduated over the past 20 years as he offered his testimony to the conference.

“Thank you for living out a powerful and transforming gospel in a ministry called Africa University,” said