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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
November 2002 |
To Africa with love from Indiana:
Gifts that unify, sustain and give back
By Andra Stevens*
When the formal events to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Africa University kick off this month, United Methodists from South Indiana will be on hand to dedicate and name the two dormitories they've helped to build.
More than roofs over the heads of African young people, classrooms, meeting rooms and offices, they are gifts that grew out of the vision and leadership of a United Methodist bishop with a profound love for Africa.
The Rev. Kent Millard of Indianapolis' St Luke's UMC chaired the South Indiana Campaign Committee. He says it all started with the vision that Bishop Woodie W. White shared with the Indiana Area (North and South Conferences): that Hoosier United Methodists would reach out in mission to Africa in specific ways.
"Africa University has captured the imaginations of people all over the world and especially, United Methodists in Indiana," said Millard. "Many of our fund drives over the years had not reached their goals, but people said we really have to do this and there was a lot of commitment. We began to pray and expect miracles and things began to happen."
Bishop White challenged the two conferences in his area, to build two, three-story dormitories to house students on the university's campus - one from each conference. He was confident that people would catch the vision. Indiana put in extra effort to build four dormitories instead of two.
That sense of ownership led to efforts across Indiana Area. One family in the South Indiana gave a lead gift of $100,000 (US) after just a phone call. A teenager, who had visited the campus as a member of a Volunteers in Mission work team, donated two months of paychecks from an after-school job at McDonalds. There were many potluck dinners, car washes and bake sales too.
Bishop White says when he told churches in both North and South Indiana that with just a little more effort, they could build four dormitories, they said yes. In the end, Indiana Area raised $2 million (US), one million in each conference, for Africa University. Responding to the call to be in mission with the university has had a profound impact.
"It has made a difference in the congregations and people of both annual conferences," said White. "It has broadened their horizons and got them involved in mission effort in a very significant way."
Kent Millard said: "We have been blessed with a sense of coming together. The AU campaign has brought liberals and conservatives together, people who are in conflict on other issues, all agree on Africa University."
Last updated on 01/14/2004Editor's Note: Bishop White, the Rev. Kent Millard and South Indiana Conference lay leader Jim Shaw will travel to Zimbabwe the week of Nov. 12 to participate in naming and dedication ceremonies for the two new dorms.
* Andra Stephens is director of information for A.U. She has personally welcomed at least four work teams from Indiana recent years.