Acacia - Jan. -Feb. 2022

Local Churches Maintain Strong Support for AUF

The Africa University Fund (AUF) ended 2021 with an overall investment of 84.88 percent of the asking, thanks to the ever faithful and generous local congregations of The United Methodist Church.

Congregations across all five United Methodist Church jurisdictions in the United States invested $2,034,033 in the work of equipping leaders through Africa University.

“In what is arguably one of the most challenging periods ever experienced globally, United Methodist churches demonstrated their commitment to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world through Africa University,” said James Salley, Africa University’s chief advancement officer.

"It’s been a shared effort from the beginning, and we thank the global United Methodist Church for staying the course,”

said Salley. “You never finish building a university."

Sixteen annual conferences met their budget commitments to Africa University at 100 percent or higher. Most notably, the Northern Illinois Conference achieved its goal of 100 percent, and the Western North Carolina Conference (110.64 %) and the Wisconsin Conference (100.23%) surpassed their goal of 100 percent support for the AUF.

Four of the five U.S. jurisdictions of The United Methodist Church maintained their overall investment in the AUF at 86 percent or higher.

The Episcopal Fund achieved the highest percentage in overall gving, at 92.41 percent, making the AUF second among the seven general church funds in 2021.

Preserving a Legacy: Acacia Tree Planting Project

Students, faculty and staff at Africa University are participating in an Acacia tree planting project to highlight the natural environment and how it is treated.

"The Acacia tree represents strength, resilience and durability, which is the embodiment of Africa University," said Rev. Dr. Peter Mageto, the acting vice chancellor.

"As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, this is one of the ways in which we plan on commemorating and appreciating this milestone as a community,” said Mageto.

The Acacia tree, or Acacia Abyssinica, features prominently in Africa University's logo and branding. The large and conspicuously flat-topped tree grows in the savannah regions of Africa and is valued for its shade, drought tolerance, medicinal uses, and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil to the benefit of other plants growing nearby.