TAU Helped Shape New Bishops
hree Africa University graduates were elected as bishops in The United Methodist Church, exemplifying the school’s mission of training leaders for the continent.
The Revs. Emmanuel Sinzohagera, Moisés Bernardo Jungo, and João Filimone Sambo were elected March 15 during the Africa Central Conference gathering in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“Africa University is known as one of the prestigious universities in Africa due to its high quality of education,” said Bishop Sinzohagera, assigned to lead the new Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area.
Not only is AU a United Methodistrelated university, “it has helped in the education of many African church leaders,” he said.
Episcopal Area, earned his bachelor’s degree in theology at AU in 2005. He said he chose AU because the university had already educated
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Development Community were important as well.
Bishop Sinzohagera earned his Master of Arts in religious studies at AU, majoring in church and society, and graduated in 2023. He also serves as speaker of the senate in Burundi.
Bishop Jungo, who now leads the East Angola
several Angolans and was well known for training clergy.
For him, AU’s multicultural community and its strategic location in the Southern Africa
The school’s multicultural character helped him grow as a leader. “Africa University is a university of diversity, with several nations and cultures,” Jungo said.
“The interaction with people of different nationalities helped me to deal with various problems of different natures.”
Bishop Sambo, assigned to the Mozambique Episcopal Area, graduated from AU in 2007 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He said the university shaped him “academically, spiritually, culturally and as a blooming leader.”
“It was at Africa University where my sense of ubuntu grew… where the sense of Pan-Africanism was shaped,” he said. “AU has always been a motivating hub for its students who, upon graduation, can lead ethically, with excellence and respect to human dignity.”
Solar Power Plant Paves Way to a Greener Future
Africa University is preparing to bring a new 510-kilowatt solar power plant online, its biggest step yet toward energy sustainability.
With funding from AU endowment income provided by Africa University (TN) Inc., university leaders broke ground on the project in March.
“This was a dream,” said Vice-Chancellor Rev. Prof. Peter Mageto. “Now it’s a reality—because of your support.
The solar plant will save AU over $11,000 in monthly diesel fuel costs usually incurred from running multiple backup generators. It’s expected to serve as a model for sustainable innovation across the continent and aligns with the institution’s green campus evolution, part of AU’s
Strategic Plan 2023–2027, focused on efficiency, sustainability, and reducing the carbon footprint.
Phase one is a 250-kilowatt system with 460 solar panels to power core campus facilities such as labs, offices, and lecture rooms. A 600kWh battery bank will store excess energy for nighttime use.
“We’ll run directly off solar during the day,” explained Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Eng. Talon Garikayi. “Batteries will kick in from around 4:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.”
Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, chair of AU Tennessee Inc. Board praised the initiative as part of the university’s broader mission to be “a light to the world.”
AU Board members: Mr. James Salley, Rev. Jamisse Taimo, Rev. Alfiado Zunguza, Rev. Prof. Peter Mageto, and Bishop L. Jonathan Holston participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.
From left: Bishop Gift Machinga of Zimbabwe, Bishop João Sambo of Mozambique, Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera of Burundi and Bishop Moisés Jungo of Angola.
AU Fund 100% Support
Hope, Education for Refugee Women
As the academic year winds down at Africa University, four young women are living a reality that once felt impossible. Ishimwe Russi (Burundi), Louise Philis (Rwanda), and Grace Muke and Kinyanga Consolate Dacosta (DRC), come from refugee backgrounds— families uprooted by conflict, with limited resources and
correctly and help diagnose illnesses,” she shared. Her peers are majoring in social work, refugee advocacy, and public administration aiming to give back and lead change.
This initiative follows the success of the TeachReachBless campaign, which funded housing for over 90 women at Africa University. According to campaign co-chair, Rev. Dr. Bill McFadden, “Investing in education for refugee women is a transformational next step in our mission.”
no guarantees for the future.
Now, thanks to the Lift Her Up East Ohio initiative, these women have left the Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe and are pursuing college degrees. The grassroots program, led by United Methodists in East Ohio, is powered by individual donors and local churches who provide prayers, encouragement, and the funding these students need to succeed.
Kinyanga, studying medical laboratory sciences, already has over $20,000 raised for her education by Wooster UMC. “I want to ensure medications are used
Students Bring Legal Aid to Communities
The Africa University School of Law is proving that meaningful education doesn’t stay in the classroom.
After a strong debut at the Christof Heynes African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Kigali, Rwanda last year, the school took learning into the community with a series of mobile law clinics.
And the impact is just beginning.
So far, $7,000 has been raised through creative efforts like a lemonade stand at the East Ohio Annual Conference. Four churches have adopted students, working toward the $28,000 needed to fund each one’s four-year education.
And the vision is growing as other congregations are invited to join in. A donor has pledged support for four more students in 2025, and organizers hope to add six more refugee women next year.
Lift Her Up is more than a scholarship—it’s a movement transforming lives, one woman at a time.
Peninsula-Delaware Conference Champions AU
For almost 250 years, Methodists in the PeninsulaDelaware area have been faithfully nurturing their mission. A shining example? Unwavering, 100% support of the Africa University (AU) Fund—year after year—by the Peninsula Delaware Conference of The United Methodist Church.
At the heart of this generosity is the shared belief that ministry knows no borders. “We are one in the body of Christ,” says Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, who leads both the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences. “Supporting mission and ministry—whether across the street or across the world—is essential to our discipleship.”
That spirit of connection is embodied by longtime lay leader Kevin Goodwin who first stepped up 30 years ago when a churchwide appeal asked for just $1 per member to fund Africa University. As a mission chairperson at his Delaware church, he raised $97,000 by traveling and preaching across the conference.
Since then, he’s remained a passionate advocate— wearing his AU shirt at conferences, promoting scholarship drives, and helping grow a Peninsula Delaware Conference endowed fund at AU that now exceeds $400,000.
Today, Kevin serves on AU’s Board of Directors and leads its Investment Committee, continuing to guide its mission forward.
Each fall, he reminds the churches to celebrate Africa University Sunday, so their endowment continues to grow.
He reports since it began supporting AU, the conference has only missed once paying 100 % of the AU apportionment.
Behind this sustained generosity is a shared vision: the belief that education empowers people to change their communities for the better.
“The leaders being shaped at Africa University are creating lasting change across Africa,” says Bishop Easterling. “Their work will lead to innovation, economic growth, and real solutions to real challenges.”
Shaping Climate-Conscious Global Leaders!
Africa University is deeply thankful for the extravagant generosity of local congregations. Thank you for living out a mindset of abundance and shared mission. To the 17 conferences that achieved a 100% investment in the AUF in 2023, thank you for your faithfulness in sharing your blessings so that lives and communities are transformed.
Led by Interim Clinic Director Mr. Victor Nkiwane, AU law students provided free legal education and services on key issues like inheritance rights, domestic violence, child marriages, and maintenance laws.
Engaging with the community is not just an altruistic endeavor for law students, it is a strategic move in their legal education notes Dr. Tendai Nhenga, the dean of AU’s School of Law. “Practical experience like this is crucial,” said Nhenga. “Students sharpen their skills while making
a real difference in people’s lives.”
For third-year student Mufaro Tewende, the experience was eye-opening. “I was nervous at first, but the communities were eager to learn. Their legal questions were complex and deeply personal—it reminded me why this work matters.”
Classmate Priyanka Machapuya added, “This showed me how powerful legal education can be in lifting up marginalized communities.”
Africa University (Zimbabwe) and Claflin University (South Carolina) have teamed up for a groundbreaking collaboration with global reach that’s focused on education and innovation.
A key outcome of their partnership: an online Master of Science program in Biotechnology and Climate Change that launched in 2022.
In May, the program produced its first graduates. Four are Africa University alumni from four different African nations.
research ethics and food security.
“They push everyone around them to think critically, especially about how biotechnology can fight climate change.”
How You Can Help
Located at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, Africa University is an accredited United Methodistrelated educational institution in Africa, established by action of the General Conference. The university offers degree programs in four colleges and one school: Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CHANS); Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance (CBPLG); Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS); Social Sciences, Theology, Humanities and Education (CSSTH&E); and the School of Law.
Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith, hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. Thank you for investing in changed lives and communities! Encourage your church to keep its investment goal for the Africa University Fund at the figure set by the 2016 General Conference and strive for a 100 percent apportionment remittance. Sending a portion of your goal each month makes it easier to reach full remittance by year’s end. Your church’s generosity ensures support of Africa University’s operational 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 longterm 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.
my purpose—sustainable farming to boost food security in vulnerable communities,” she shared.
Kenya’s Nyamongo N. Abiud called the program “a journey of satisfaction.” Shifting from animal science to biotechnology, he’s now set on contributing to both industry and academia, with a special focus on climate-conscious animal nutrition.
Dr. Gloria S. McCutcheon, Chair of Biology at Claflin, is one of the architects of the program. Alongside the faculty from Africa University, she worked on the curriculum and taught classes.
“These students are incredible,” says Dr. McCutcheon, who taught
Among the graduates is Nigerian Glory Kuhturu. She earned her bachelor’s in natural resource management at AU in 2011, went home to teach at the college level, and returned to campus to add to her toolkit. “With the support of passionate lecturers, I discovered
The online program’s future depends on continued donor support to expand access, offer scholarships, and strengthen the virtual classroom. Looking ahead, both universities hope to expand the program to reach more students. “It’s exciting to teach across continents,” McCutcheon says. “This first graduating class is just the beginning.”
Usahwira—This word in the Shona language means “a beautiful friendship.” Encourage your local church can become a partner with Africa University by supporting one student for four years. The annual cost of supporting one undergraduate student is just $7,000. Local churches and individuals 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 https://support. africau.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 download resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment, visit: ResourceUMC and/or the resources page at support.africau.org.
Africa University Development Office P O Box 340007,
Kevin Goodwin Bishop LaTrelle Easterling
Graduates: Zaqueu Antonio (Mozambique), Glory Kuhturu (Nigeria), Brenda Makonyere (Zimbabwe) and Nyamongo Abiud (Kenya).
Students participated in a mobile law clinics, gaining invaluable insights and interacting with the communities they will serve.
P.O. Box 340007
Nashville, TN 37203-0007
Latest News from Africa University
Legacy Gift Cements Global Impact
Wendelin Douglas, a Richmond, Virginia native, has designated a portion of her life insurance policy to support Africa University, demonstrating her commitment to empowering future generations through education.
A proud graduate of Bennett College, Douglas earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She later completed a Master of Public Administration at North Carolina Central University. Her career and life reflect a dedication to service, excellence, and social change. She currently serves as a Senior Contract Specialist with the City of Richmond’s Department of Procurement Services. Previously, she worked for over two decades as a Procurement Specialist at North Carolina A&T State University.
Douglas brings her passion for broader community support to her service as a Life Member of both the Bennett College National Alumnae Association and the North Carolina Central University National Alumni Association, as well as the Greensboro Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She does not shy away from physical challenges and can be found enjoying 10K races and kayaking on the James River.
By making Africa University a beneficiary of her life insurance, Douglas honors her desire to invest in, “equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to rise above poverty, promote equality, and address global challenges.”
Douglas’ choice to integrate her philanthropic goals with her financial planning ensures that in the future, her loved ones are cared for, and she supports the ministry of Africa University. Her legacy gift will help foster innovation and leadership across the continent for generations to come. Africa
The AU Today is published by the Africa University Development Office. For more information, contact the Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007
Tel: (615) 340-7438
Fax: (615) 340-7290
Email: audevoffice@africau.org https://support.africau.org
AFRICA UNIVERSITY TODAY | SPRING 2025