8th Annual BLJHGI Set for Sept. 27th in Orangeburg, SC

Golfers from South Carolina and across the nation are preparing for the Bishop L. Jonathan Holston Golf Invitational (BLJHGI) Benefiting Africa University in Zimbabwe.

The event takes place at the Orangeburg Country Club on September 27. It will raise funds for scholarships and other needs Tournament patron, Bishop Jonathan Holston (in red) with Rev. John Hipp to his right (in yellow), and fellow at United Methodist- clegry and 2020 team members. related Africa University.

This year, golfers will also use the gathering to pay tribute to a lifelong Methodist and dedicated tournament participant, Rev. John Wesley Hipp, who died in October 2020.

Rev. Mitch Houston of Bethany United Methodist Church-Summerville was Hipp’s college roommate and lifelong friend. “I speak for his family and friends in saying we miss his laughter and warm smile every day,” said Houston. “John loved the game of golf."

Rev. John Wesley Hipp (yellow shirt) stands between his friend, Rev. Houston and SC Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, the tournament patron.

In 2020, the tournament raised more than $35,000 to assist students and help South Carolina United Methodists meet their annual budget commitment. All 12 United Methodists districts invested and had teams in the tournament.

Wespath Institutional Investments, a unit of Wespath Benefits and Investments—the largest reporting faith-based pension fund in the United States—is the tournament’s lead sponsor for a third consecutive year. "We are pleased to support Africa University's vision to improve life, peace, and prosperity through higher education," said Joe Halwax, Wespath Institutional Investments' managing director, Institutional Investment Relationships.

To sign up for the event, visit www.support-africauniversity.org/scgolf.

EOC to Host AU Advisors' Meeting in Cleveland, OH

The Africa University Advisory Development Committee (ADC) will gather in Cleveland, OH on September 18. Members are traveling to the East Ohio Conference (EOC) at the invitation of Bishop Tracy S. Malone.

More than a dozen ADC members are assigned to preach during an Africa University saturation event, taking place in Cleveland-area churches on Sunday, September 19.

The ADC's visit and the saturation event will promote the ongoing conferenece-wide campaign to build and equip a new residence hall for women at Africa University.

With strong support from individuals and churches across the conference, East Ohio United Methodists are set to complete their campaign much earlier than anticipated.

More than 3,000 students are settling into online-only lectures and supervision as the 2021-2022 academic year opens at Africa University. Lectures for new and returning students began on August 23, with a small number of students living in the dorms and studying virtually. AU had initially hoped to move to a blend of in-person and virtual learning. However, due to rising infection rates regionally, Zimbabwe has instituted stricter COVID-19 prevention meaures..

Marion District Scholarship Endowment

Local churches in the Marion District of the South Carolina Conference are raising funds to endow a scholarship for a student at Africa University.

The Marion District’s 92 congregations, spread across five counties, have an initial goal of $10,000 to establish the endowed scholarship fund.

The Marion District Superintendent, Rev. Tim Rogers, and a local pastor, Rev. J. Elbert Williams, announced the pledge after their February 2020 visit to the Africa University campus in Zimbabwe.

Rev. Tim Rogers, Marion District Superintendent

South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church

“The endowment is an opportunity to invest in new leaders for Africa and extend the reach of the love of Christ on the continent,” said Rogers.

The district level effort would be the third scholarship endowment to involve Rogers and Williams. Both pastors have already endowed scholarships at Africa University from their personal resources.

The Rev. Timothy and Mrs. Meridith Lyn Rogers Endowed Scholarship Fund (ESF) was established in March 2021.

Rev. Williams set up The Mrs. Magnolia R. Williams ESF in memory of his late mother in 2014. Prior to being reassigned to the Hartsville District on July 1, Williams supported the Marion District effort with local church/small group presentations. "Members were excited to learn more about AU, and by being directly approached to become more engaged," said Williams.