AUF Support in Western Jurisdiction Reaches 100%

I

100% SUPPORT

She’s a member of the First United Methodist Church in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her church invests in the Africa University Fund (AUF) apportionment at 100 percent. It is one of around 1,700 churches whose generosity and commitment helped the Western Jurisdiction to achieve its first overall investment of 100 percent to the AUF in 2017. “Whenever we learn about an area of vital ministry where we can be partners in God’s transformative work, the West wants to step up; Africa University has touched the heart of our Annual Conferences in the West,” said Bishop Minerva Carcaño, the resident bishop of the San Francisco Area. e eight Annual Conferences that comprise the Western Jurisdiction were at 100 percent in 2017. In 2016, Yellowstone was the only Western Jurisdiction conference that wasn’t able to pay 100%,

but that changed in 2017. “At a crucial time in the life of e United Methodist Church, the Yellowstone Conference worked hard to pay 100% of its General Church apportionment to affirm the Bishop Oliveto power found in connectionalism,” said Bishop Karen P. Oliveto, resident bishop of the Mountain Sky Area. “We rejoice that we participate with United Methodists around the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in transformative ways,” Oliveto said. “We give thanks to God for Africa University, its faculty, staff, students and graduates who are making a difference in churches and communities in Africa and around the world.” In 2017, U.S. churches invested a record 96.77 percent of their budgeted commitment to the AUF, remitting $2,266,498.00 in support for the university’s day-to-day operations by the year’s end.

Thank you for investing at 100 percent in the Africa University Fund in 2017. The Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church with a 100 percent or more remittance to the AUF apportionment over the past two years are: North Central Jurisdiction Detroit East Ohio Illinois Great Rivers Indiana Iowa Minnesota West Michigan West Ohio Wisconsin Jurisdiction Total Support

2017 100% 105.32% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100.24% 100% 105.24% 99.83%

2016

96.52%

Northeastern Jurisdiction Baltimore-Washington

2017 100%

2016 100%

100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 104.21% 100%

Eastern Pennsylvania Greater New Jersey New England New York Peninsula-Delaware Susquehanna Upper New York West Virginia Western Pennsylvania Jurisdiction Total Support

100% 100% 100% 107.18% 100% 100% 102.04% 100% 100% 100.71%

108.16% 100% 100% 100.96% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100.93%

South Central Jurisdiction Central Texas North Texas Oklahoma Indian Missionary Jurisdiction Total Support

2017 100% 100% 100% 88.42%

2016 100% 100.01% 91.65%

Southeastern Jurisdiction Florida

2017 100%

2016 100%

Kentucky North Alabama North Carolina Red Bird Missionary South Carolina Tennessee Jurisdiction Total Support

100% 100% 100% 113.58% 100% 196.48% 98.15%

100% 113.80% 100% 100% 100% 100% 92.49%

Western Jurisdiction Alaska United Methodist California Nevada California Pacific Desert Southwest Oregon Idaho Pacific Northwest Rocky Mountain Yellowstone Jurisdiction Total Support

2017 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

2016 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 99.70%

Spring 2018

f you want to know just how strong support for Africa University is in the Western Jurisdiction, just ask Tupou Kelemeni and her colleagues within the Pacific Islander National Caucus of e United Methodist Church. “Africa University means the world to me,” said Kelemeni. “I thank God that with my prayers, and whatever little financial support I have been able to give over the years, I am a part of this great work.” Kelemeni is president of the Tongan Caucus.

Africa University Today — Spring 2018

AU and Steward Bank Launch Zimbabwe’s First Kiosk Bank

T

he first kiosk banking unit in Zimbabwe opened at the Africa University campus in March and it is entirely student-run. e students are sophomores and the assignment will serve as their year-long internship placement. “It is exciting and a real honor to be involved,” said Tafara Tsvedemu, who describes himself as the ‘IT guy’ on the team. “It is a great experience for us to be in charge and responsible for something like this.” From a portable and ergonomically designed cabin, the students process transfers and deposits, open accounts, distribute pointof-sale terminals, and attend to customer queries. e only service that isn’t available is cash transactions, and that’s due to an ongoing

shortage of cash (actual currency) in Zimbabwe. Africa University is partnering with Steward Bank, a subsidiary of Econet Wireless, on the kiosk bank. When compared to the traditional brick-and-mortar banking venue, the kiosk offers a quick and less-costly set-up as well as convenience, flexibility, and accessibility to the most isolated groups in a country or region.

“is bank may be branded Steward Bank but it belongs to you (AU),” said Dr. Lance Mambondiani, Steward Bank’s chief executive officer. “We aim…(to create) a relationship that is mutually beneficial and symbiotic in nature because as AU grows, so do we.” e kiosk bank is connected to the i5Hub, Africa University’s innovation and business incubation platform. e students who run the kiosk are being encouraged to create and help commercialize new banking products and services. eir areas of focus include mobile applications for banking, marketing, customer service, and student-friendly financial services. is article includes reporting by Jeanette Dadzie, staff of the information and public affairs office of Africa University.

AU Grad Helps to Strengthen Church Unity in Burundi

I

n less than a year following his election as the legal representative of e United Methodist Church in Burundi, the Rev. Jean Ntahoturi and United Methodists in the East African nation are celebrating a new-found unity and hope for a brighter future. Ntahoturi, who earn both his MBA and MTS degrees from Africa University, was elected in May 2017. He took on the leadership of a church where two factions had been contending for control since the death of Bishop Alfred J. Ndoricimpa in 2005. One group was led by the Rev. Lazare Bankurunaze and the other by the Rev. Justin Nzoyisaba. “e election of a new legal representative … changed the political dynamics in the Burundi Annual Conference. Rev. Ntahoturi had a desire to reconcile the sparring factions in the Burundi Conference, (and he) has a keenness for adhering to the Book of Discipline,” said Bankurunaze. A reconciliation team met in Harare, Zimbabwe, in August 2017 for mediation led by West Ohio Bishop Gregory V. Palmer. e result was a memorandum of understanding signed by

both parties to operate as “one strong and vital United Methodist Church in Burundi.” A special Burundi Annual Conference session, held Feb. 5-7 in Gitega, sealed the deal. About 1,500 people filled St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, and others craned their necks through the windows to witness the event. ey applauded when Ntahoturi took to the podium. “We Burundians had destroyed our own home for 12 years. We are now going to stand up as Burundians and show the world and the general church of the UMC that by the grace of God we can restore the church for the glory of God,” Ntahoturi said. Bishop Daniel Wandabula said he was grateful to God for the new leadership. “It was very good for the church in Burundi to elect a legal representative who loves the Lord, loves the church, and knows the church,” he said. “Rev. Jean Ntahoturi’s knowledge of the church paved the way for dialogue with the opposing camp. As bishop of the area, I am very grateful that the spirit of God was and is at work and the church in

Burundi will get to greater heights as they continue working together as a team to make disciples for the transformation of the world.” Adapted from an article by Tafadzwa Mudambanuki, senior manager of Central Conference Relations at United Methodist Communications.

How You Can Help ocated at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, Africa University is an accredited United Methodist-related educational institution in Africa, established by the action of the General Conference. Africa University offers degree programs in three colleges: business, peace, leadership and governance; health, agriculture and natural sciences; and social sciences, theology, humanities and education. New academic programs include master’s and doctoral degree programs in migration, citizenship, and refugee protection; intellectual property; child rights and childhood studies; and entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity.

L

Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith, hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. We are counting on you! Encourage your church to set a 100 percent apportionment remittance goal. Sending a portion of your goal each month makes it easier to reach full remittance by year’s end. Your church’s 100 percent Continued next page.

How you can help... continued.

Pender UMC: Faithfully Impacting the World

T

wenty-five-year-old Astewale Ayaleneh is a first-generation college student from Ethiopia. He’s also the ninth student to attend Africa University with scholarship support from Pender United Methodist Church. In a recent letter to the Fairfax, VA-based congregation, Ayaleneh wrote about the experience. “I am exposed to so many amazing and enriching experiences that I never thought would have been possible in my life.” Pender UMC provides an annual scholarship for an undergraduate student under Africa University’s Usahwira program. e scholarship and its impact are the focus of the congregation’s Easter Offering. Since 2002, Pender UMC has invested more than $85,000 through gifts for scholarships. “Pender (UMC) is a leader in the Virginia Conference, and it’s certainly at the top of list in the conference for scholarship contributions to

Africa University,” said Rev. Lloyd Rollins, a longstanding member of the congregation and consultant to the ongoing $50 million Campaign for Africa University. “It’s astounding what happens when you tell people how and where their giving makes a difference… they are moved to give,” said Katie Chapin, the communications chairperson at Pender UMC. is year, the response from church members generated more than $19,000. It was the largest Easter offering in 15 years and will be split between Africa University and two other ministries. Chapin says that the mission of Pender UMC can be summed up in three words—follow, reach, transform. at mission inspires members to think about their impact outside the walls of the church, especially with children, students, and others who are living in challenging circumstances in the United States and around the world.

Work Begins on Campus Sports Complex

apportionment remittance means 100 percent support of Africa University’s operational budget for costs such as utilities, equipment, and faculty salaries. Consider these additional ways of helping the university educate new leaders for the nations of Africa: Planned Gifts are the foundation for the long-term survival of Africa University. As you make your estate plans, consider leaving a gift or bequest to Africa University in your will. If you have already included the 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 annual cost of supporting one undergraduate student is just under $6,000. 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 provides scholarships for our students. For more information about giving opportunities or to make a gift, visit us at support-africauniversity.org. To learn about Africa University and its impact, visit africau.edu. Let’s work together to continue the transformation of lives and of Africa. To order resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment, visit umcgiving.org or infoserv.um.org. Or, call United Methodist Communications, toll-free, (888) 346-3862, during normal business hours. Available resources include: • Africa University: A Place of Peace, Learning and Hope DVD (600115) • Africa University Fund: Pieces of the Dream DVD (600512) • We are Africa University (600611)

Construction of the first phase of a campus sports complex at Africa University began in March with work on an outdoor swimming pool. e Baltimore Washington Conference, (BWC), is funding the pool construction through the gifts given in honor of Bishop Marcus Matthews’ 2016 retirement. Members made a splash by raising more than $330,000. Groundbreaking for the pool took place on March 24, with Bishop Matthews and Carol and Charlie Moore, among others, present to represent the BWC.

“People in the BWC need to know how thankful we are and how blessed we feel by their investments in enhancing the students’ lives on the campus,” said James H. Salley, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement. “ey are helping us help the students have a quality, whole, wonderful, enjoyable, and healthful experience as they matriculate at Africa University.” From an article by Erik Alsgaard, BWC UMConnection Staff.

Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438 audevoffice@gbhem.org www.support-africauniversity.org

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Africa University Development Office e United Methodist Church P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Nashville, Tenn. Permit No. 11

it y s r e v ni ... U a c i Afr st News Late

Africa University Today — Spring 2018

Robert and Virginia Schneider: Nigerian Experience Inspires Gift

R

obert and Virginia Schneider were born and reared in Kansas. ey met at Kansas State University (KSU) in 1952 and married two years later. Initially, Robert taught high school courses while Virginia worked at a local bank. en, in 1965, Robert accepted a position with KSU. KSU, working with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), agreed to provide staff to develop the College of Agriculture at the recently-established Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria. Robert uprooted his family and traveled to Nigeria to teach in the Department of Agricultural Engineering. Following a 2-year term of service, the couple returned to the United States and earned additional qualifications at Michigan State University. In 1970, the Schneiders returned to Zaria. Robert continued the work at Ahmadu Bello University for two and a half years, while Virginia taught in the University Staff School. At retirement, the Schneiders relocated to Fairfield Glade, TN from Bowling Green, KY and

“Education can provide the keys to many different doors of opportunity,” Robert and Virginia said. “We want our scholarship recipients to walk through those doors to discover new worlds as we did.” Elaine Jenkins Director of Planned Giving

The AU Today is published by the Africa University Development Office, in partnership with the Office of Communications, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).

joined Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church. It was here that they first learned of Africa University. Remembering that without their education, they never would have had their “Nigerian Experience,” which exposed them to whole new worlds, the Schneiders endowed a scholarship at Africa University. e SchneiderFix Endowed Scholarship Fund will provide the young men and women of Africa with a first-rate education.

For more information, contact the: Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 Tel: Fax: Email:

(615) 340-7438 (615) 340-7290 audevoffice@gbhem.org support-africauniversity.org.