Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue:
04
Vol:
24
September - October
2019
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Africa University Development Office | P O Box | Nashville, TN 37203 ) | Fax. ( ) | Email:340007 audevoffice@gbhem.org Tel. (
615 340 7438
615 340 7290
AU to Launch Doctor of Ministry Program in Military Chaplaincy
Africa University is embarking on a new graduate degree program in Military Chaplaincy, specifically-designed for Africa. Supported by a multi-stakeholder partnership that includes the Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church, the United States Army Command – Africa, and Wesley Theological Seminary, the Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) degree program will launch in January 2020. Ten prospective students gathered with program facilitators for a preparatory symposium on the Africa University campus in August. The symposium brought together chaplains from Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Together, they shared their experiences, explored the key challenges and knowledge gaps facing military
University leaders, faculty, program faciltators and prospective D.Min. students on campus in August.
chaplains in Africa, and helped to shape a curriculum that is fully responsive to African realities. “I would liken the state of Chaplaincy in the Zambia Defence Force to a child with no parents,” said Lt. Col. Bossy Nkhoma, as he outlined some of the challenges that are confronting military
Female Students Inspire Community by Paying It Forward one’s life…our A group of intention was female students at to motivate the Africa University other women to have established see the value a scholarship fund and imporas a way of celetance of combrating their divermunity work,” sity and unity. said Nyarai It’s a university Mungure, the tradition for the Some of the students who reside in the Ben Hill dormitory resident assisstudents housed in each of the various with scholarship recipient, Helen Murinda, (center, dark tant in the Ben red school uniform), at her school. Hill dormitory. residence halls on The students pooled their financial the campus to plan and host a community-building event at the start of each resources and identified a family in need in the wider community. They academic year. Students host a party or a BBQ or go selected a child in that family, tenth out on a sightseeing trip to break the grader Helen Murinda, to receive mediice and get to know each other better. cal supplies, school fees, and encourHowever, the young women who reside agement. The students are collaborating with in the Ben Hill dormitory—constructed in 2003 by the Atlanta-based Ben Hill the staff of the Bishop Alfred Norris United Methodist Church congrega- Health Clinic and the university’s Peer tion—decided that their 2019 commu- Educators Network to provide health nity building initiative would change a education and ongoing care. They have also committed to paying Helen life and inspire others. “We wanted to do something different Murinda’s tuition fees until she graduand have a positive impact on some- ates from high school.
chaplains in southern Africa. Nkhoma highlighted skills gaps, a lack of orientation to the dynamics of Chaplaincy as a ministry, and an implementation approach that he characterized as primarily trial and error. Having participated in the symposium, Chaplain (Rev.) Donald Kgomokhumo describes the program as responsive to his needs in serving the military men and women of the Botswana Defense Force. He notes that although chaplains are needed, the vocation is uncommon and not well-understood in the region. Kgomokhumo and his peers hope that with new skills they can address the gaps between chaplains, commanding officers, and soldiers in the ongoing transformation of the military in Africa.
Golf Tournament Posts Impressive Growth
The recent Bishop L. Jonathan Holston Golf Tournament held at the Orangeburg Country Club Sept. 30, 2019 raised over $22,000 to benefit Africa University and its students. Eighty-eight golfers participated in the event, which included a silent auction and an awards luncheon, with prizes going to the top four teams and several individuals. Top team honors went to Marvin Williams, Robbie Thomas, Henry Odom and Bubba Eaves, representing the law firm of Korey L. Williams & Associates of Orangeburg, at 18-under par.