Ecumenical Church and University Global and Domestic Initiatives

Founding of Ecumenical University

Bishop Redfern II founded the Ecumenical University as a formal expression of the grassroots pastoral training movement launched by Dr. Stephen Manley through the Cross Style School of Practical Ministry. For decades, Dr. Manley trained pastors and lay leaders across rural and underserved regions in more than 40 developing countries. These leaders, often lacking the financial means or infrastructure to attend traditional institutions, were empowered through an innovative model centered on “Seminary in a Box” kits. Each included set came with a DVD player, a television, and a generator for use in areas without electricity.

As this movement grew, it became clear that formal recognition was necessary. Certificates of completion evolved into associate, bachelor’s, and advanced degrees. In 2006, official graduation ceremonies began, and by 2012, Bishop Redfern II formally chartered the Ecumenical University in Columbia, South Carolina. A global Board of Regents now oversees the academic records and standardizes curriculum for more than 1,500 graduates annually around the world. The University continues to prioritize access and innovation, especially in supporting rural women and girls through scholarship programs that open doors to leadership and educational equity.

Global Initiative: Constructing Schools and Churches

The Ecumenical Church and University have launched an ambitious campaign to build 5,000 schools and churches across 40 nations in Africa and Asia. Already, 500 projects have been completed, including early childhood centers, churches, and health clinics—each equipped with clean water systems, sanitation facilities, internet access, and solar energy.

This is not merely a building project—it is a redemptive return. From South Carolina, a state historically linked to the transatlantic slave trade, descendants of the enslaved are now leading a global reversal— returning not in chains, but as builders, educators, and spiritual leaders. These projects plant the seeds of hope and development in regions that have long been denied such resources, creating sustainable growth in education, public health, and spiritual formation. A key priority is the provision of scholarships for rural girls, ensuring that a new generation of empowered women leads the future.

Integrating Clean Water and AI for Development

Each construction site incorporates a clean water project, addressing one of the most basic but unmet needs in rural regions. From borehole wells to rainwater harvesting systems and purifiers, these efforts reduce disease, support school attendance (especially for girls), and foster local agriculture.

In partnership with global NGOs and emerging tech leaders, the Ecumenical Church is also developing and implementing AI-powered strategies for education, health monitoring, and agricultural training. AI tools help map needs, personalize learning content in local languages, and optimize resource allocation, bringing the benefits of modern innovation to historically marginalized communities.

U.S. Expansion: Little Prayer Chapels and Urban Mission Strategy

Domestically, the Ecumenical Church is focused on building 20 Little Prayer Chapels across 13 southern states, each serving as a training hub, worship space, and community outreach incubator. Each chapel will support up to 15 congregations, fostering a collaborative model of shared resources, social services, and discipleship training. These chapels also serve as broadcast centers, producing gospel messages, training sessions, and wellness programs for social media and streaming platforms. With a projected growth of 300 congregations, this network anchors the Ecumenical Church in local neighborhoods while engaging the world through digital ministry.

The Ecumenical Global Training Camp

The Ecumenical Training Camp, set on 43 acres in rural South Carolina, is envisioned as a premier residential institute for training pastors and mission leaders from 40 nations. This four-year immersive experience includes ministerial education, cross-cultural leadership training, and project-based learning for community development.

Facilities include dormitories, family housing, classrooms, a worship center, dining halls, a production studio, sports and wellness facilities, and multilingual broadcast studios. Participants will graduate with Bachelor of Arts degrees, fully equipped to return to their nations as both spiritual leaders and community developers.

Building the Main Campus and Global Headquarters

The main campus of Ecumenical University and the World Headquarters of the Ecumenical Church will be established in Columbia, South Carolina, serving as the central hub for all global operations. This state-ofthe-art facility is designed to house a comprehensive range of academic, technological, and communityfocused programs. It will include Global Online Learning Studios, equipped for real-time instruction and digital curriculum delivery to students worldwide, and Media Production Labs operated by students, enabling hands-on training in content creation and broadcasting.

A dedicated Nonprofit Research and Innovation Center will foster new models for community development. At the same time, a Health and Wellness Institute will offer training and outreach in physical and mental well-being. A Library of AI-powered learning content will provide adaptive educational resources tailored to diverse linguistic and cultural needs.

Additionally, the campus will include international video conferencing facilities to broadcast live classroom sessions globally, facilitating academic engagement across borders. From this headquarters, Ecumenical University will expand its global impact— bridging educational divides, promoting leadership development, and advancing holistic transformation in communities worldwide.