Love for Africa U Endures at Berlin Church

At the 62-year-old Berlin-Wittenau United Methodist Church in Germany, Africa University is a beloved ministry. Using birthday and anniversary celebrations, senior club gatherings and other events, the members of the congregation highlight and solicit gifts for the annual mission offering for Africa University. Their investment in Africa University has been generous and consistent for more than 30 years.

“The connection between our congregation and Africa University is based on the work which Heinrich Meinhardt, our late pastor, did for the university,” said Rev. Anja Mueller, the church’s current pastor.

Even before Africa University opened in 1992, Rev. Heinrich Meinhardt and Martin E. Brose, a German theologian, kept the Berlin-Wittenau congregation and the wider United Methodist Church of Germany informed about the university’s progress, impact and needs. Brose was a founding member of the Africa University Board of Directors and Meinhardt succeeded him on the board. They made presentations, organized

concerts, hosted students and leaders associated with the university, and urged United Methodists in Germany and throughout the European Central Conference to pray for and invest in Africa University.

Birgit Meinhardt describes support for Africa University within the Berlin-Wittenau congregation as strong. Even if it is quieter since her husband’s death in December 2009, she says it is very much alive. Martin Brose, who still worships at the Berlin-Wittenau United Methodist Church, notes that congregants are keenly interested in the individual stories of the graduates and the contributions they are making in Africa.

“The Africa University alumni are doing an excellent job in various African countries,” said Brose. “This proves that the investment of prayers and money is not in vain. Africa University is wellestablished and growing continually despite the very difficult political and social situation in Zimbabwe. ‘This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes’ (Ps. 118:23).”