Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue: 01 Vol: 22
January - February 2017
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Africa University Development Office | P O Box 340007 | Nashville, TN 37203 Tel. (615) 340-7438 | audevoffice@gbhem.org | www.support-africauniversity.org
Africa University has partnered with the South Carolina Conference United Methodist Men on the 2017 Men’s Spiritual Weekend, a retreat that’s set for February 17-19 at Christ United Methodist Church, Myrtle Beach. “The (topics) that will come together this year are how do we grow churches, both for clergy and laity, and how do we grow men and get them involved in churches, families and communities — and how do we get pastors and laity to work together in all this,” said Herman Lightsey, president of the South Carolina Conference United Methodist Men. For James Salley, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement for Africa University, the retreat is an opportunity to strengthen the already robust ties and support for the university among the United Methodist Men in the South Carolina Conference. Leaders, such as Lightsey, have traveled to the university. Members
Photo by Matt Brodie.
AU Co-sponsors South Carolina United Methodist Men’s Retreat
Men’s ministry spiritual retreat to help men grow the church and grow in their personal Christian walk.
have made numerous gifts to support scholarships and other needs, hosted the AU Choir during visits to the conference, and are advocates for the institution within their local churches. “The UMM is a key avenue for the formation of disciples who are committed and active in the work of the church,” said Salley. “It’s important for them to have continuing exposure to Africa University and to embrace the institution as part of their mission and
Los Altos UMC: Impact and Inspiration On January 29th, the members of the Los Altos United Methodist Church in Los Altos, CA celebrated their annual ‘Africa Sunday’ and marked 11 years of changing the lives of African women through education. The congregation welcomed James Salley, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement for Africa University, as its guest speaker. Through a video, photographs and letters, members were able to “meet” and learn more about the ten female students they are currently supporting with partial tuition scholarships. “We love ‘Africa Sunday’ and the enthusiasm and optimism that surround it,” said Jan Lull, a member of the Los Altos United Methodist Women (UMW). The entire effort grew out of a letter writing campaign. In 2005, Lull invited the women to select a female mission worker with whom they shared a birthday and write a letter to the worker. Her hope was that the exchange of letters would
connect the women to the global mission of the denomination in a more effective and personal way. A letter that Lull received from a mission worker she’d written to in Zimbabwe Current beneficiary, became the genesis Vanessa Masengo for the Africa Student Education Fund. “The congregation has tremendous interest in the students they support,” Lull said. “They know who is getting the help, and they see the difference that their gifts are making year after year, which generates a real response and such generosity. Since 2008, Los Altos UMC has provided tuition support for at least 10 women to study each year. The congregation has invested more than $325,000 in scholarships to date and helped 29 women to graduate from Africa University.
ministry.” Organizers have chosen “Rooted: Grow Deep, Live Strong” as the overarching theme of the 2017 retreat. Over the past four years, the event has experienced explosive growth in attendance, leading organizers to expect that this will be the conference’s largest UMM gathering to date. “We’re hoping we will make or exceed 1,500,” Lightsey said. Four keynote speakers will lead this year’s retreat — South Carolina UMC Resident Bishop Jonathan Holston, along with the Rev. Jim Cowart, founding pastor of Harvest Church in Warner Robbins, GA, the Rev. Darren Hook, senior pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Greer, SC, and Romal Tune, author and inclusion expert — who will each expand on the retreat topics and help men take next steps in their walk with Christ. Adapted from an article by Jessica Brodie, editor of the South Carolina Advocate.
Cafeteria Refurbished Students and staff found a fresh, new look at the cafeteria when they returned to the campus in January. Named in memory of Ndorimana Bonaventure, a founding trustee who was killed in civil strife in his home country of Burundi, this is the first major refurbishment of the cafeteria in 20 years. The facility serves as the main food service hub on the campus. New floors and furnishings were installed to create a warmer feel and a more enjoyable dining experience. The update completes a food service overhaul that began with new menus in 2016 and themed events showcasing African cuisine.