- Delegation of Indigenous People of the Philippines Welcomed to Cal-Pac
- Elementary Students Raise $2,000 for Imagine No Malaria
- E-Readers Project Expands to Asia through Partnership with Wesley Theological College and Huree University
- Africa University Keep Dream Alive
- United Methodist New Starts Outpace Other Protestant Denominations
In tear-filled testimony, Bai Norma Capuyan, Secretary of the Kalumaran Mindanaoo, shared her experience of bullets flying past as a crowd of protesting indigenous farmers was violently dispersed by police.
The protest was for food relief as the effects of El Niño had devastated their ability to grow their own food and also to bring attention to their plight as indigenous persons.
Eventually, the incident led to the death of three people, injuries to over 100, the detention of over 80, and thousands of protestors running into the nearby Spottswood Methodist Mission Center for sanctuary. In a Pastoral Statement, United Methodist Bishops Rodolfo A. Juan, Ciriaco Q. Francisco, and Pedro M. Torio, Jr., of the Philippines valiantly defended those protesting and seeking safety.
Eventually, the incident led to the death of three people, injuries to over 100, the detention of over 80, and thousands of protestors running into the nearby Spottswood Methodist Mission Center for sanctuary. In a Pastoral Statement, United Methodist Bishops Rodolfo A. Juan, Ciriaco Q. Francisco, and Pedro M. Torio, Jr., of the Philippines valiantly defended those protesting and seeking safety.
Norma was joined by Kerlan D. Fanagel of the Confederation of Lumad Organizations and Anthony Navarro, Executive Director of Salupongan, who shared of living under threat of land-grabbing by for-profit corporations seeking natural resources and without basic utilities such as electric power.
The delegation listed what they now seek, in light of recent violence, which included a fact-finding mission into the incident, the dropping of all falsely pressed charges against protestors, and help creating awareness around the effects of climate change.
The delegation listed what they now seek, in light of recent violence, which included a fact-finding mission into the incident, the dropping of all falsely pressed charges against protestors, and help creating awareness around the effects of climate change.
Present to receive the delegation were Resident Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, Rev. David Farley, Director of Justice and Compassion Ministries, and Joy Prim, Chair of the Philippines Task Force, of the California-Pacific Conference. The delegation has several visits planned throughout California on their way to Portland, OR for the United Methodist General Conference 2016.
The Philippines Task Force of the California-Pacific Conference has a long-standing relationship with the indigenous people of the Philippines, working alongside the General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Global Ministries.
A welcoming event, “Lakbay Mindanao,” will be hosted by the Philippines Task Force on Friday, April 22, 2016.
The Philippines Task Force of the California-Pacific Conference has a long-standing relationship with the indigenous people of the Philippines, working alongside the General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Global Ministries.
A welcoming event, “Lakbay Mindanao,” will be hosted by the Philippines Task Force on Friday, April 22, 2016.
They Raised $2,000 and Got to Decorate Their Teachers
When the students of Glenoaks Christian Elementary and Wooden Shoe Preschool learned that children in another part of the world are suffering from a curable, they were shocked. In 17 months, children from two years old all the way to sixth grade raised $2,000 in support of Imagine No Malaria.
According to the Principal, Esther Choi, the school just happens to be the only Protestant Christian school in San Fernando and Sylmar. The school also just happens to be part of San Fernando United Methodist Church.
With the knowledge of this terrible disease and a desire to make offering more meaningful during their weekly chapel time, the school decided to support the Imagine No Malaria initiative with goals along the way such as:
$500 – No Homework Night
$1000 – Extra 30 minutes of recess
$1500 – Video Game Day
$2000 – Decorate the Teachers
With the knowledge of this terrible disease and a desire to make offering more meaningful during their weekly chapel time, the school decided to support the Imagine No Malaria initiative with goals along the way such as:
$500 – No Homework Night
$1000 – Extra 30 minutes of recess
$1500 – Video Game Day
$2000 – Decorate the Teachers
Students also developed and performed a skit that portrayed the lives of children on the African continent and offering an explanation of malaria the disease.
Through it all, the students experienced the great joy in making a difference in the lives of others as well as what it means to give oneself for others. “They learned the great privilege of enjoying a healthy life as well as the great need that there is for health around the world,” says Principal Choi.
Even with the goal being reached, the students and the school is continuing in its efforts to support the Imagine No Malaria initiative with posters and wristbands.
WATCH VIDEO OF PROJECT
E-Readers Project Expands to Asia through Partnership with Wesley Theological College and Huree UniversityEven with the goal being reached, the students and the school is continuing in its efforts to support the Imagine No Malaria initiative with posters and wristbands.
WATCH VIDEO OF PROJECT
NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 12, 2016 – The United Methodist e-reader initiative, which provides digital libraries to students attending theological schools in remote areas, is expanding to include Wesley Theological College (WTC), in Vietnam, and Huree University, in Mongolia.
The two schools have agreed to partner with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) and Discipleship Ministries (DM) to implement the e-readers initiative for theological and higher education beginning February 2016. Following a successful 18-month pilot project in Liberia from 2013-14, the e-reader program has grown to include 20 schools of theology in Africa and four in the Philippines. The WTC-Huree partnership expands the project into Asia.
The scholastic aim of the partnership is to employ e-reader technology to address the needs of theological and higher education for the development of leaders in Vietnam and Mongolia. As the agreement states, the universities “enter into this partnership under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to equip the saints and build up the church for the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Shared Institutional Goals
The partnering schools have set forth three shared goals:
Create affordable access for faculty and students to core theological and academic resources that are currently inaccessible
Enhance the possibilities for teaching, learning and scholarship
Develop a sustainable e-reader program through sound business planning, including income from student “book fees,” grants, and fundraising as needed in cooperation with GBHEM and DM
The partners will evaluate the value and success of the e-reader project annually in terms of these three goals.
Implementation and Leadership
The project will be implemented in two phases: a year-long faculty phase followed by an evaluation phase. Each school has pledged to partner with GBHEM and DM to faithfully implement the e-reader project and honestly test the viability of the e-readers as a means of improving theological and higher education. Each school will appoint an on-site project manager to oversee implementation, and communicate regularly with the GBHEM and DM project coordinator, Rev. Dr. HiRho Park.
“The e-reader project in Mongolia and Vietnam is very timely, as the 2016 General Conference is going to consider the creation of the Southeast Asia and Mongolia Provisional Central Conference with ministries in Laos, Mongolia, Thailand and Vietnam,” says Park, director of Clergy Lifelong Learning in the Division of Ordained Ministry at GBHEM. She adds, “This partnership is a dynamic example of the great things that result when we unite the spirit of collaboration, the power of technology and the global connection of the church. The gateway to theological and higher education should be open to anyone who desires to enter.”
Roles of GBHEM and DM
The agencies will facilitate purchase and delivery of the e-reader devices. They will help build a library of accessible, appropriate and affordable content, assist the on-site project manager with ongoing needs and problem solving, and participate in periodic evaluations and improvement efforts. The agencies will also assist these school’s effort to supplement a sustaining income for the program through fundraising and grant solicitation.
“We are happy to see this first step for the E-reader Project into Mongolia and Vietnam,” says Robin Pippin, the project’s director. “We are grateful to Dr. Park for being a champion of this initiative and for leading the trainings at these two schools. We look forward to seeing what emerges in those areas.”
About GBHEM: As the leadership development agency of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s mission is to prepare global leaders for a global church and the world. Every elder, deacon and licensed local pastor benefits from our training and candidacy programs. Many young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call on their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM.
About Discipleship Ministries: The mission of Discipleship Ministries is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. For more information, visit www.UMCdiscipleship.org, go to the press center at www.UMCdiscipleship.org/about/press-center, or call the Office of Communications at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 1726.
File photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
Children play a game in the farm area of Africa University in 2013. The building in the background was the original building where students gathered for breaks and outdoor dining in 1992.
Africa University keeps dream alive by Tom Gillem, |MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS)
Bishop Marcus Matthews leaped to his feet in joy that Saturday morning in 1988 when the quadrennial General Conference of The United Methodist Church overwhelmingly voted approval of the Africa Initiative, a dream to launch the first-ever United Methodist-related university in Africa.
“It was one of the most powerful moments that I have ever experienced at General Conference,” recalled Matthews, Africa University’s interim board chair and episcopal leader of the Washington-Baltimore Conference. “My jumping up was a way of expressing what I was feeling about Africa University and its possibilities, what we could actually do as a denomination.”
The dreams expressed at the St. Louis General Conference – that the Africa Initiative would bring together United Methodists around the world with a common agenda – became a reality. Today Africa University boasts 6,200 alumni. Countless people in the worldwide connection have supported AU with their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.
Bishop Emílio J.M. de Carvalho of Angola, now retired, foretold the initiative’s success when he urged its adoption in 1988. “By creating the university,” he said to the delegation, “The United Methodist Church can assume a new role in helping African societies to move into the future and by engaging itself in the battle for the humanization of the African women and men.”
The pan-African higher education experience that AU provides has developed principled leaders with networks, skills, values and personal attributes to serve and transform their communities. Among them is Walter Suza, a Tanzanian who earned an agriculture degree at Africa University in 1996. Suza oversees a multi-country effort to train a new generation of plant breeders, as a sustainable solution to food insecurity in Africa.
“AU gave me a great education, a family and a wonderful life in a country far away from home,” said Suza. “Today, I see how special AU has been and will always be to the African continent.”
AU's current enrolment of 1,415 students, more than half of whom are women, come from 26 African countries. They choose among undergraduate and graduate degree programs in agriculture and natural resources, education, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, management and administration, peace leadership and governance and theology.
Over the years, United Methodists have provided financial support through the Africa University Fund apportionment and World Service Special Gifts, bearing testimony to the high regard for AU within the connection. Local congregations in the United States invested more than $2.1 million in the Africa University Fund in 2015. Support for the fund apportionment among annual conferences continued to increase, with 32 conferences investing 100 percent or more of their asking.
‘Nothing less than incredible’
In the South Central Jurisdiction, Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas is including AU in its centenary celebration fundraising campaign. “I've always thought that Africa University was one of the treasures of our church in terms of relationship,” said the Rev. Paul Rasmussen, senior pastor, “but also one of the well-kept secrets. What most people don't know is that we've had lay leadership on the ground at AU helping out since its inception in 1988.”
Laywoman Ruth Ellen Stone, coordinator of Friends of Africa University in the Indiana Conference, said small-membership churches could participate in direct student scholarship support. By doing so, they not only see the importance of their financial gift, but also have a personal connection with the student they support. “An annual conference and the local churches it serves benefit as they support Africa University by having the opportunity to be a part of such an important initiative,” Stone said. “It is always good to be connected to something successful.”
Franklin First United Methodist Church in the Tennessee Conference has enjoyed a long relationship with AU through its sponsorship of individual students, said the Rev. Lynn Hill, senior pastor. “It is nothing less than incredible. We get to know our students, follow their progress at AU and celebrate their accomplishments, which has always included their graduation,” he said. “Because of this personal involvement with AU, the financial support has continued undiminished for several years.”
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño of the California-Pacific Conference called AU “an investment in God’s preferred future for Africa and … the world.
“Amidst ongoing struggles due to long historic economic injustice, transformation is coming to the continent of Africa, and Africa University is a vital part of that transformation,” she said. “We are seeing great faithfulness and fruitfulness as Africa University’s graduates become the leaders of this great continent. I pray that The United Methodist Church around the world will continue to support Africa University.”
Editor’s note: Africa University’s 25th anniversary celebrations will take place March 22-26, 2017, in Mutare, Zimbabwe. For more information, write to audevoffice@gbhem.org or telephone 615-340-7438.
Gillem is a freelance writer and photographer based in Nashville, Tennessee.
News media contact: Vicki Brown, news editor, newsdesk@umcom.org or 615-742-5469.
United Methodist New Church Starts Stand Out in National Survey
NASHVILLE, Tenn. April 15, 2016 /Discipleship Ministries/ – United Methodist new church starts outpaced new church starts by other protestant denominations in three of five key benchmarks – average worship attendance, new decisions for Christ and reaching previously unchurched people – according to a survey of 17 U.S. evangelical denominations and church planting network organizations.
"...the survey shows us verifiable proof that the efforts of our annual conferences to improve our church planting process is yielding positive results."
The survey, conducted in 2015 by LifeWay Research, received responses from 1,200 pastors and new church leaders and focused on 843 church plants started since 2008. LifeWay said the church planting survey was the most thorough in almost a decade.
“I believe the survey shows us verifiable proof that the efforts of our annual conferences to improve our church planting process is yielding positive results,” said Bob Crossman, a New Church Strategist with Path1, a division of Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church. “It also shows that we need to be not only encouraging our existing churches to become stronger and more viable, but we need to be continuing to start new churches and new places the reach new people.”
United Methodists represented 11.5 percent of the respondents to the nationwide survey, which also included churches from Assemblies of God, Baptist Missionary Association of America, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Church of the Nazarene, Converge Worldwide, Evangelical Free Church of America, Free Methodist Church USA, International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Missionary Church, New Thing Network, Presbyterian Church in America, Project Jerusalem, Southern Baptist Convention, Vineyard Church, and The Wesleyan Church.
“One of the surprising findings is that the United Methodist new churches exceeded the average worship attendance of the typical new church start in the United States in each of the first five years of the new church,” Crossman said. “I had assumed that the Pentecostal churches and the Baptist churches – these large, strong evangelical churches – would have far greater worship attendance than the United Methodists.”
United Methodist planters also exceeded the typical new church in receiving new decisions for Christ during the first five years. The UMC churches averaged a total of 84 new commitments, while the typical new church in the survey had 78.
“The third surprise for me is that the United Methodist churches out-performed the typical new church in reaching those who were previously unchurched or unchurched for many years,” Crossman said. “I guess a more common way to put it is United Methodist new churches were not stealing sheep from other churches. We were reaching people who do not have a church background and doing that more effectively than the typical new church in the United States.”
United Methodists need to improve in two benchmarks areas included in the survey. New UMC churches were less likely to become self-sustaining within the first five years. In the typical new church, more than half – 64 percent – were financially self-sustaining by the fifth year, compared to 42 percent for the United Methodists.
The second area that needed improvement for UMC new church starts was multiplying, or giving birth to another new church. In the survey, 22 percent of the typical new churches started a daughter church within the first five years, compared to only 13 percent among United Methodist churches.
“The survey has already begun to help us by revealing key statistically verifiable factors that have a correlation to reaching these five critical benchmarks,” Crossman said. “So as a result, already in our training, coaching and supervising, we are able to lay before our potential planters and actual planters in the field factors that are worth them testing in their mission field to see if they will yield results.”
Every mission field is different, and regions of the country are also different, Crossman said.
“But if there is a particular activity that has yielded fruit nationwide – that resulted in an amazing benchmark – then our planters need to be testing that in their mission field,” he said “Now we have statistically verifiable factors, rather than just random observations or hunches about what might be effective.”
Over the past ten years, UMC annual conferences have learned the importance of accessing the potential planters' gifts and graces before sending them to the mission field, Crossman said.
“We've also learned the importance of sending planters to mission fields that they have a natural affinity to reach for the Gospel,” he said. “We've learned the importance of having a discipleship system and a stewardship system in place immediately in the new church, along with a positive relationship with a coach.
“Beginning in 2016, the additional significant factors revealed in this survey have the potential to help our new church efforts reach higher levels of health and vitality, making more disciples, more diverse disciples, and more younger disciples for Christ,” he said.
Read Path1’s executive summary of the LifeWay survey »
For a copy of the full survey, email Candace Lewis, Executive Director of Path 1 New Church Starts, atclewis@umcdiscipleship.org.
The mission of Discipleship Ministries is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, Discipleship Ministries is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit the Press Center or call the Communications Office at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 1726.
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