The Gift of Communications

Pierre Omadjela Praises God for the Gift of Communication

Pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree, Pierre quickly discovered a key benefit of studying at AU: learning English. “I served as class representative for Intensive English, leading 95 students from five countries,” he said.

While at AU, he served as a resident assistant in dormitories that housed graduate students from 12 African countries. He was also the AU choir’s student representative, when the singers traveled to Durban, South Africa, for the World Methodist Council meeting.

At graduation in June 2012, Pierre was appointed director of communications and development director for the Central Congo Episcopal Area. Four years ago, he became a full-time field project manager with United Methodist Communications’ Global Communications Technology team.

“Today,” he said, “we are a team of 21 people in our central conference. We are planning to train a communicator in each district. In Kinshasa, we now have communicators on the local church level. I am proud to be the initiator of this, and I praise God.”

In Africa, where United Methodism is experiencing phenomenal growth, Pierre’s ministry is essential. He introduced the use of internet and social media for church communications, allowing global access to news from the central conferences.

In a region where Ebola and other diseases are grim realities, Pierre used UMConnect, a text-messaging system, to offer words of hope to thousands of church members in the East Congo Area. During DRC elections, UMConnect shared peace-focused audio messages from Central Congo bishops.

Pierre loves being in ministry with people all over the world. Reflecting on the denomination’s growing diversity, he said, “AU is important as it allows future church leaders to learn how to live with people who are from different countries with different cultures.

“I am serving the church in D.R. Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Central Africa and South Africa,” Pierre added. “I couldn’t do that if I did not go to Africa University.” Pierre Omadjela Praises God for the Gift of Communication

Africa University and the 20th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church are partnering to enable graduates of A.M.E. schools in five African countries to matriculate at Africa University. The 20th Episcopal District will enroll students beginning in March 2020. An anonymous gift of $700,000, given to Africa University, will provide most of the funding to educate 28 students from the district over a seven-year period. The district is currently raising additional funds to invest in the initiative.

AU's chief advancement officer, James Salley, with Bishop Ronnie Brailsford and Supervisor/Rev. Carolyn Brailsford of the 20th Episcopal District of the AME Church.