In this issue:

Fall 2012

Celebratingthe

Connectionbetw

eenA

fricaU

niversityand

United

Methodist

CongregationsFall2

012

100Percen

tSupport

Thankyou

forsupporting

Africa

University

throughyour

100percent

remittance

ofthe

Africa

University

Fundapportionm

entin

2011.

JurisdictionTotalSupport

andA

nnualConferences

with

100percent

orm

orein

2011(includes

2010perform

ance)

North

CentralJurisd

iction2011

2010D

akotas102%

EastO

hio100%

100%Illinois

Great

Rivers100%

100%Iow

a100%

118.36%M

innesota102.86%

99.29%N

orthernIllinois

100%100%

West

Michigan

100%W

estO

hio100%

Wisconsin

151.51%110.50%

North

easternJurisd

ictionBaltim

ore-Washington

100%100%

Greater

New

Jersey100%

100%N

ewEngland

100%100%

New

York100%

100%Susquehanna

100%Peninsula-D

elaware

100%100%

Upper

New

York100%

133%W

estVirginia

112.46%110.34%

Western

Pennsylvania100%

South

Central

Jurisd

ictionC

entralTexas100%

Louisiana100.01%

100.04%N

orthTexas

100.50%100%

Oklahom

aIndian

Missionary

100.05%100%

Southeastern

Jurisd

ictionFlorida

100%100%

Holston

100%K

entucky100%

99%N

orthC

arolina100%

100%N

orthG

eorgia113.58%

114%Red

BirdM

issionary100.06%

110.87%

Western

Jurisd

ictionA

laskaU

nitedM

ethodist100.02%

100%D

esertSouthw

est100%

AsAfrica

University

celebrates20

yearsofrealized

dreams,w

elook

forward

toyour

fullsupportin2012.

•A

fricaU

niversityis

locatedin

Old

Mutare,

Zimbabw

e,andis

thefirst

fullyaccredited

United

Methodist–related

educationalinstitutionon

theA

fricancon

tinent,establishedby

actionof

theG

eneralConference.

•Africa

University

offersbachelor’s

andm

aster’sdegree

programs

insix

facultiesoflearning:

agricultureand

naturalresources,education,healthsciences,hum

anitiesand

socialsciences,manage-

mentand

administration

andtheology.The

InstituteofPeace,Leadership

andG

overnanceoffers

postgraduatediplom

asand

master’s

programs.

600412/50M

Martha Marie Orphe’sministry has taken her toevery continent but Ant-arctica. She has visited 21countries to date and hasvisited Africa Universityat least four times that shecan recall.Orphe is the youngest of

six children born to Josephand Dolores Orphe. Sheand her siblings werereared in St. Martinville,La. She graduated withhonors from St. MartinvilleSenior High School in1977; she earned herbachelor of arts degree inreligion and computerscience from Clark College(Atlanta) in 1982; hermaster of divinity degreefrom Vanderbilt University(Nashville, Tenn.) in 1985;and her doctor of ministrydegree from Wesley Theo-logical Seminary (Wash-ington, D.C.) in 1993.Orphe was ordained a

deacon in the LouisianaAnnual Conference in

1984 and an elder in theWestern PennsylvaniaAnnual Conference in1987. She served for morethan 21 years in WesternPennsylvania, includingseven years as districtsuperintendent of thePittsburgh District.In 2006, Orphe re-turned

home to Louisiana toserve as the ConferenceMission Zone director tosupervise the rebuilding of50 churches and commu-nities in New Orleans andwest Louisiana that wereseverely impacted byhurricanes Katrina andRita. In the midst of hernew ministry,grieved the death of herbeloved mother, who diedone week after HurricaneKatrina, and her belovedsister, who died two weeksafter Hurricane Rita.Orphe currently serves

as senior pastor of FirstStreet Peck Wesley UnitedMethodist Church andWilliams Ross UnitedMethodist Church locatedin New Orleans.Orphe has been actively

engaged with AfricaUniversity since its in-ception in 1988. She hasraised awareness, madefriends and raised funds forthe new university. Orphewas district superintendentwhen the General Confer-ence of The United Meth-odist Church was held in

Pittsburgh in 2004. Shearranged for the AU choirto perform in concert in thedistrict. She also hosted thechoir members in her homefor a fabulous meal pre-pared by her parents, whotraveled from Louisiana todo so. “It was one of thehigh points of my parents’lives to meet those young,vibrant, engaging studentsfrom Africa University,”Orphe reflected. “Themeeting was especially poi-gnant for my dad becausehe had traced his roots toGhana through DNAtesting,” she continued.In 2010, Orphe was

formally inducted into theRichard E. “Dick” ReevesLegacy Society becauseshe has included AfricaUniversity in her estateplans. Orphe said, “I loveMother Africa, and I wantto invest in her future. Ifirmly believe that themost effective way to do sois by investing in thehigher education ofAfrica’s young women andmen. Africa University isthe perfect institution toallow me to do so.”Orphe’s dream for Africa

University is that one day itwill become the premiereuniversity for all of Africaand produce the nextgeneration of African leaders.

—Elaine Jenkins,Africa University

Development Office

In West Michigan, AU Story InspiresUncommon GenerosityAndra StevensWest Michigan Conference gift of $500,000 to build a welcome centerat AU inspired an anonymous donor to match the contribution,increasing the gift to $1 million.

Central Congo Communicator Thanks AUPhilip Brooks‘I was learning how to lead; meanwhile, I was leading. … I am really achanged person after going to Africa University.’− Pierre T. Omadjela

Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly Dies at 92Compiled from various websitesFirst African-American woman elected to the United Methodist episcopacyleaves a rich legacy of leadership.

U.S.–Zimbabwe Connection Offers HopePamela CrosbySteadfast support of Africa University illustrates South Carolinacongregation’s ‘transformational partnerships.’

The World Is Her ParishElaine JenkinsThe Rev. Dr. Martha Orphe expresses her love for Africa by investing inAfrica University.

The late Dr. Nancy M. Carruthinducts the Rev. Dr. MarthaOrphe into the Richard E.“Dick” Reeves Legacy Society,September 2010.

The World Is Her Parish

Andra

Stevens

InJune,U

nitedMethodist

congregationsinthe

West

Michigan

Conference

surpassedtheir

goalof$500,000tobuild

theUbuntu

Welcom

e/Gathering

Center

atAfrica

University.In

anarea

thatisjustem

ergingfrom

adecade

ofeconomic

decline,United

Methodists

stretchedthem

selvesingiving.

Alayperson’s

giftof$5,000,made

fromthe

floorofthe

annualconferenceevent,took

thecam

paignover

itsgoalsix

months

earlierthan

expected.Ananonym

ousdonor

matched

theconference’s

$500,000,making

$1million

availableforthe

buildingand

forequipm

entandfurnishings.

“WestM

ichiganismaking

astatem

entofpositiverecognition

ofwhatA

fricaUniversity

hasaccom

plishedinitsfirst20

yearsofexistence,”

saidEdEdw

ard-son,the

campaign

co-chair.“It

speakstoour

beliefthatAfrica

University

trulycan

bealeader

intransform

ingallofA

frica.Byproviding

ethicalleadershipfor

allsectors,communities

canmake

positivestrides .”

TheWestM

ichiganeffort

investsinAfrica

University’s

ministry

byproviding

affordableon-cam

pushousing

forvisiting

faculty,mission

teams,clergy,

youthand

otherswhogather

forsem

inarsontopics

rangingfrom

foodsecurity

topeace-

buildinginAfrica.

“Whatis

compelling

iswhat

thebuilding

istobeused

forand

howitfits

intoaministry

thatisaboutstrengthening

reconciliation,nurturingleader-

shipand

shapinganew

,more

positivefuture,”

saidthe

Rev.

Dr.Laurie

Haller,the

former

Grand

Rapids

Districtsuper-

intendent,whoserved

onthe

GeneralBoard

ofHigher

Edu-cation

andMinistry

(GBHEM).

LaunchedinJune

2010,thecam

paignsentspeakers

outtoshare

theAfrica

University

storyinpulpits

andatother

gatheringsacross

theconfer-

ence.EricMulanda,a

theologystudentfrom

theDemocratic

Republic

oftheCongo,itiner-

atedinWestM

ichiganand

made

presentationsviaSkype

fromZimbabw

e.Clergy

andlay

members

oftheconference

visitedthe

campus

andreturned

tospeak

withknow

ledgeand

passionaboutthe

university.“You

havetoseize

themoment,and

thiswasthat

moment,”

saidEdwardson,

whodescribed

theresponse

of

individualdonorsas“just

incredible.”Haller

creditsthe

successof

thecam

paigntothe

deeplyrooted

mission

cultureamong

United

Methodists

inMichigan.

TheGrand

Rapids

District

raisedthe

majority

ofthefunds,

andthe

otherfive

districtseach

pledged$20,000.H

allernotes

thattheinvolvem

entofWest

Mich igan’s

districtsuperin-tendents

playedacrucialrole

inthe

outcome.

“There

isastory

totell,”

saidHaller.“A

fricaUniversity

isaministry

thatencompasses

thefour

focusareas

ofourchurch.T

heUbuntu

Center

projectbroughtthewhole

conferencetogether

inmission

inawaythatw

ehave

notseenpreviously.A

fricaUniversity

isn’tjustanam

etous.It’s

aministry

inwhich

wehave

invested.”Going

forward, E

dward-

sonsees

tremendous

scopefor

growing

WestM

ichigan’sengagem

entwithAfrica

University.“There

isahuge

oppor-tunity

topartner

withWest

Michigan

churchesand

educationalinstitutionsto

furtherthe

successofA

fricaUniversity

onthe

continent,”said

Edwardson.

—Story

byAndra

Stevens,director

ofco mm

unicationsin

theAfrica

University

Developm

entO

ffice

The

Rev.D

r.LaurieH

allerand

theW

estM

ichigandelegation

worked

with

AUstaff

todevelop

theW

elcome

Center

plansin

2010.

Andra Stevens InWest

Mich

igan,AUSto

ryInspires

UncommonGenero

sity

Inthisissue:

Fall

2012

Celebrating the Connectionbetween Africa Universityand United MethodistCongregations Fall 2012

100 Percent SupportThank you for supporting Africa University throughyour 100 percent remittance of the AfricaUniversity Fund apportionment in 2011.

Jurisdiction Total Support and Annual Conferenceswith 100 percent or more in 2011 (includes 2010performance)

North Central Jurisdiction 2011 2010Dakotas 102%East Ohio 100% 100%Illinois Great Rivers 100% 100%Iowa 100% 118.36%Minnesota 102.86% 99.29%Northern Illinois 100% 100%West Michigan 100%West Ohio 100%Wisconsin 151.51% 110.50%

Northeastern JurisdictionBaltimore-Washington 100% 100%Greater New Jersey 100% 100%New England 100% 100%New York 100% 100%Susquehanna 100%Peninsula-Delaware 100% 100%Upper New York 100% 133%West Virginia 112.46% 110.34%Western Pennsylvania 100%

South Central JurisdictionCentral Texas 100%Louisiana 100.01% 100.04%North Texas 100.50% 100%Oklahoma Indian Missionary 100.05% 100%

Southeastern JurisdictionFlorida 100% 100%Holston 100%Kentucky 100% 99%North Carolina 100% 100%North Georgia 113.58% 114%Red Bird Missionary 100.06% 110.87%

Western JurisdictionAlaska United Methodist 100.02% 100%Desert Southwest 100%

As Africa University celebrates 20 years of realizeddreams, we look forward to your full support in 2012.

• Africa University is located in Old Mutare,Zimbabwe, and is the first fully accredited UnitedMethodist–related educational institution on theAfrican continent, established by action of theGeneral Conference.

• Africa University offers bachelor’s and master’sdegree programs in six faculties of learning:agriculture and natural resources, education, healthsciences, humanities and social sciences, manage-ment and administration and theology. The Instituteof Peace, Leadership and Governance offerspostgraduate diplomas and master’s programs.

600412/50M

MarthaMarieOrphe’s

ministryhastakenherto

everycontinentbutAnt-

arctica.Shehasvisited21

countriestodateandhas

visitedAfricaUniversity

atleastfourtimesthatshe

canrecall.

Orpheistheyoungestof

sixchildrenborntoJoseph

andDoloresOrphe.She

andhersiblingswere

rearedinSt.Martinville,

La.Shegraduatedwith

honorsfrom

St.Martinville

SeniorHighSchoolin

1977;sheearnedher

bachelorofartsdegreein

religionandcomputer

sciencefrom

ClarkCollege

(Atlanta)in1982;her

masterofdivinitydegree

from

VanderbiltUniversity

(Nashville,Tenn.)in1985;

andherdoctorofministry

degreefrom

WesleyTheo-

logicalSeminary(Wash-

ington,D.C.)in1993.

Orphewasordaineda

deaconintheLouisiana

AnnualConferencein

1984andanelderinthe

WesternPennsylvania

AnnualConferencein

1987.Sheservedformore

than21yearsinWestern

Pennsylvania,including

sevenyearsasdistrict

superintendentofthe

PittsburghDistrict.

In2006,Orphere-turned

hometoLouisianato

serveastheConference

MissionZonedirectorto

supervisetherebuildingof

50churchesandcommu-

nitiesinNew

Orleansand

westLouisianathatwere

severelyimpactedby

hurricanesKatrinaand

Rita.Inthemidstofher

newministry,

grievedthedeathofher

belovedmother,whodied

oneweekafterHurricane

Katrina,andherbeloved

sister,whodiedtwoweeks

afterHurricaneRita.

Orphecurrentlyserves

asseniorpastorofFirst

Street PeckWesleyUnited

MethodistChurchand

WilliamsRossUnited

MethodistChurchlocated

inNew

Orleans.

Orphehasbeenactively

engagedwithAfrica

Universitysinceitsin-

ceptionin1988.Shehas

raisedawareness,made

friendsandraisedfundsfor

thenewuniversity.Orphe

wasdistrictsuperintendent

whentheGeneralConfer-

enceofTheUnitedMeth-

odistChurchwasheldin

Pittsburghin2004.She

arrangedfortheAUchoir

toperforminconcertinthe

district.Shealsohostedthe

choirmembersinherhome

forafabulousmealpre-

paredbyherparents,who

traveledfromLouisianato

doso.“Itwasoneofthe

highpointsofmyparents’

livestomeetthoseyoung,

vibrant,engagingstudents

fromAfricaUniversity,”

Orphereflected.“The

meetingwasespeciallypoi-

gnantformydadbecause

hehadtracedhisrootsto

GhanathroughDNA

testing,”shecontinued.

In2010,Orphewas

formallyinductedintothe

RichardE.“Dick”Reeves

LegacySocietybecause

shehasincludedAfrica

Universityinherestate

plans.Orphesaid,“Ilove

MotherAfrica,andIwant

toinvestinherfuture.I

firmlybelievethatthe

mosteffectivewaytodoso

isbyinvestinginthe

highereducationof

Africa’syoungwomenand

men.AfricaUniversityis

theperfectinstitutionto

allowmetodoso.”

Orphe’sdreamforAfrica

Universityisthatonedayit

willbecomethepremiere

universityforallofAfrica

andproducethenext

generationofAfricanleaders.

—El

aine

Jenk

ins,

Afric

aU

nive

rsity

Dev

elop

men

tO

ffice

InWestMichigan,AUStoryInspires

UncommonGenerosity

Andra

Stev

ens

WestMichiganConferencegiftof$500,000tobuildawelcomecenter

atAUinspiredananonymousdonortomatchthecontribution,

increasingthegiftto$1million.

CentralCongoCommunicatorThanks

AU

Phili

pB

rook

s‘Iwaslearninghowtolead;meanwhile,Iwasleading.…Iamreallya

changedpersonaftergoingtoAfricaUniversity.’−PierreT.Omadjela

BishopLeontineT.C.KellyDiesat92

Com

pile

dfr

omva

riou

sw

ebsi

tes

FirstAfrican-AmericanwomanelectedtotheUnitedMethodistepiscopacy

leavesarichlegacyofleadership.

U.S.–ZimbabweConnectionOffersHope

Pam

ela

Cro

sby

SteadfastsupportofAfricaUniversityillustratesSouthCarolina

congregation’s‘transformationalpartnerships.’

TheWorldIsHerParish

Elai

ne

Jenki

ns

TheRev.Dr.MarthaOrpheexpressesherloveforAfricabyinvestingin

AfricaUniversity.

The

late

Dr.

Nan

cyM

.Car

ruth

indu

cts

the

Rev

.Dr.

Mar

tha

Orp

he

into

the

Ric

hard

E.

“Dic

k”Ree

ves

Lega

cySo

ciet

y,Se

pte

mbe

r2010.

The

Wor

ldIs

Her

Parish

Andra StevensIn June, United Methodist

congregations in the WestMichigan Conference surpassedtheir goal of $500,000 to buildthe Ubuntu Welcome/GatheringCenter at Africa University. Inan area that is just emergingfrom a decade of economicdecline, United Methodistsstretched themselves in giving.A layperson’s gift of $5,000,made from the floor of theannual conference event, tookthe campaign over its goal sixmonths earlier than expected.An anonymous donor

matched the conference’s$500,000, making $1 millionavailable for the building andfor equipment and furnishings.“West Michigan is making a

statement of positive recognitionof what Africa University hasaccomplished in its first 20 yearsof existence,” said Ed Edward-son, the campaign co-chair. “Itspeaks to our belief that AfricaUniversity truly can be a leaderin transforming all of Africa. Byproviding ethical leadership for

all sectors, communities canmake positive strides.”The West Michigan effort

invests in Africa University’sministry by providing affordableon-campus housing for visitingfaculty, mission teams, clergy,youth and others who gatherfor seminars on topics rangingfrom food security to peace-building in Africa.“What is compelling is what

the building is to be used forand how it fits into a ministrythat is about strengtheningreconciliation, nurturing leader-ship and shaping a new, morepositive future,” said the Rev.Dr. Laurie Haller, the formerGrand Rapids District super-intendent, who served on theGeneral Board of Higher Edu-cation and Ministry (GBHEM).Launched in June 2010, the

campaign sent speakers out toshare the Africa Universitystory in pulpits and at othergatherings across the confer-ence. Eric Mulanda, a theologystudent from the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo, itiner-ated in West Michigan andmade presentations via Skypefrom Zimbabwe. Clergy and laymembers of the conferencevisited the campus and returnedto speak with knowledge andpassion about the university.“You have to seize the

moment, and this was thatmoment,” said Edwardson,who described the response of

individual donors as “justincredible.”Haller credits the success of

the campaign to the deeplyrooted mission culture amongUnited Methodists in Michigan.The Grand Rapids Districtraised the majority of the funds,and the other five districts eachpledged $20,000. Haller notesthat the involvement of WestMichigan’s district superin-tendents played a crucial role inthe outcome.“There is a story to tell,”

said Haller. “Africa Universityis a ministry that encompassesthe four focus areas of ourchurch. The Ubuntu Centerproject brought the wholeconference together in missionin a way that we have not seenpreviously. Africa Universityisn’t just a name to us. It’s aministry in which we haveinvested.”Going forward, Edward-

son sees tremendous scope forgrowing West Michigan’sengagement with AfricaUniversity.“There is a huge oppor-

tunity to partner with WestMichigan churches andeducational institutions tofurther the success of AfricaUniversity on the continent,”said Edwardson.

—Story by Andra Stevens,director of communications in

the Africa UniversityDevelopment Office

The Rev. Dr. Laurie Haller and theWest Michigan delegation worked withAU staff to develop theWelcomeCenter plans in 2010.

Andra

Stev

ens

In West Michigan, AU StoryInspires Uncommon Generosity

32

Give Faithfully.Give Hope.Order a family of resources to helptell the story of the AfricaUniversity Fund apportionment:

• Africa University Fund:Living beyond the Dream DVD(86000508)

• Africa University Fund Brochure(86000407)

Order these and other resourcesfrom United MethodistCommunications by callingtoll-free (888) 346-3862.

Hours: Monday - Thursday,7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., CentralFriday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

For more information, visitwww.umcgiving.org orwww.infoserv.umc.org.

Learn more about how you canput your faith into action bycontacting the Africa UniversityDevelopment Office at(615) 340-7438,audevoffice@gbhem.org orwww.support-africauniversity.org.

Visit Africa University’s website atwww.africau.edu.

Encourage your local church to seta 100 percent apportionment-remittance goal! Sending a portionof your goal each month makes iteasier to reach full remittance byyear’s end.

Africa University apportionmentreceipts from local churchesprovide the basics necessary tooperate the university, such asutilities, equipment and facultysalaries.

Honor your friends or family bysponsoring an Africa Universitystudent in their name.

How YouCan Help

Africa University continues tobe the evidence of faith, hopeand belief in the visions ofdreamers. We are counting onyou! Your church’s 100 percentapportionment remittancemeans 100 percent support ofAfrica University’s operationalbudget. Consider theseadditional ways of helping theuniversity to educate newleaders for the nations of Africa:

Planned Gifts–Planned giftsare the foundation for the long-term survival of Africa University.For many, a bequest offers anopportunity to make a moresubstantial charitable gift thanwould be possible during one’slifetime. As you make your estateplans, consider leaving a gift toAfrica University in your will. Ifyou already have included AfricaUniversity in your estate plans,please let us know so we maywelcome you to the Richard E.“Dick” Reeves Legacy Society.

Usahwira –This word in theShona language means “abeautiful friendship.” Encourageyour local church to become apartner with Africa Universityby supporting one student atthe university for four years.The cost to support one studentannually is $5,400. Localchurches may provide full orpartial scholarships.

Endowment Fund–Give to theAfrica University EndowmentFund (World Service Special Gift#03-01-88). The interest incomefrom the endowment is used toprovide scholarships for ourstudents.

Africa University is supportedby congregations andindividuals across The UnitedMethodist Church. Let’s worktogether to continue thetransformation of lives and ofAfrica.

For more information, pleasecontact:

Africa UniversityDevelopment Office

P.O. Box 340007Nashville, TN 37203-0007(615) 340-7438 (phone)

(615) 340-7290 (fax)audevoffice@gbhem.org

www.support-africauniversity.org

Bishop Leontine TurpeauCurrent Kelly, 92, trailblazer,spiritual mother, champion forwomen of color in leadershipand gift to The UnitedMethodist Church, died June 28.The first African-American

woman elected to the UnitedMethodist episcopacy in 1984,Kelly ministered extensivelywithin and beyond the church.To the Africa University family,Kelly was a wise, beloved friend.The first African-American

woman to preside at a General

Conference, she officiated whenthe body unanimously passedlegislation authorizing thefounding of Africa University.Although illness prevented herfrom attending the 1991groundbreaking ceremony, Kellydefied her doctor’s orders andattended Africa University’s firstgraduation ceremony inDecember 1994.In 2000, she invited family

and friends to celebrate her 80thbirthday with “gifts that willenable more young people toattend Africa University.” Anendowed scholarship in hername has allowed a successionof future leaders to enroll atAfrica University.Kelly is survived by two sons,

Gloster B. and John DavidCurrent, and two daughters,Angella Current Felder andPamela Lynne Kelly.Angella Current Felder

followed her mother’s exampleby giving leadership to Africa

University and women of color.Current Felder retired as directorof the United Methodist Officeof Loans and Scholarships,Board of Higher Education andMinistry, in 2010. CurrentFelder is also the author ofthe Africa University story,The School of Dreams in the Valleyof Hope.Contributions to Africa Un-

iversity in Kelly’s honor may besent to The Bishop LeontineT. C. Kelly Endowed Scholar-ship Fund, Africa UniversityDevelopment Office, P. O. Box340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007; (615) 340-7438;www.support-africauniversity.org.Funeral services were held

July 5 at Jones Memorial UnitedMethodist Church in SanFrancisco, where her daughter-in-law, the Rev. Stacy Current, isthe senior pastor.

—Compiled from variousWeb sites

Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly

U.S.–Zimbabwe Connection Offers Hope

Pamela CrosbyThe mainstay of Africa

University’s support in SouthCarolina is the local church. Inthe mountains, midlands andLow Country of the state,United Methodist congre-gations have opened theirhearts to this far-flung ministry.Whether worshipping in

large or small churches or inrural or urban settings,congregants are findingparallels to their own stories inthe stories of Africancommunities and of the youngmen and women who enroll atAfrica University.By faithfully remitting 100%

of their share of the AfricaUniversity Fund apportion-ment, making second-mile giftsin the form of scholarships orhelping to build facilities, thecontributions of local churches

make teaching, research andlearning possible.Along the coast between

Charleston and Myrtle Beach isMurrell’s Inlet, where the Rev.Dr. B. Mike Alexander is seniorpastor at Belin (pronouncedBlain) Memorial UMC.Planted in 1925, Belin UMCserved the whole community,including the descendants ofthe African slaves who hadworked in the rice paddies ofarea plantations. The 2,200-member congregation has ahistory of transformationalpartnerships that goes backgenerations and continuestoday through its steadfastsupport of AU.

Connected to family inZimbabwe and Africa“We are God’s people and

we have always supported the

higher education of youngpeople,” says Alexander. “Weare happy to pay our appor-tionment for Africa Universityand, as a pastor, I’m proud toserve a church that takes pridein paying apportionments infull. The members understandthat we are a family connectedto family and that meansconnected to family inZimbabwe and Africa.“For us,” continues

Alexander, “…if there is anyhope for the future of theworld, if barriers are ever goingto be broken down betweenRepublicans and Democrats,between Christians and Mus-lims, if there is any hope ofcoming together at all, it is withthe young people who willcome after us. The hope forAfrica and for the world is inthe young people who aregetting an education at AfricaUniversity.”In supporting Africa Uni-

versity, South Carolina isdeveloping leaders for all places,ministries and future oppor-tunities on the continent andacross the globe. More andmore, United Methodists inSouth Carolina and beyond arecoming to understand thatAfrica University is not only aproject the church invests in, butthat the institution is an integralpart of the church’s growth,intellect, history and progress.With a reported 3.4 million

members and rapid growth inAfrica, the hope and futureof The United MethodistChurch is intricately con-nected to partnership on theAfrican continent. It is thatconnection that keeps givinghope to the university, to TheUnited Methodist Church andto the world.

—Crosby is a freelance writer andformer Africa University Fund

account executive based inNashville, Tenn.

Central Congo Communicator Thanks AU

Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly Dies at 92

Mik

eD

uBos

e

Philip BrooksAfter honing

his leadershipskills at AfricaUniversity,Pierre T.Omadjelareceived a

hard-to-refuse invitation from hisbishop.In September 2011, Bishop

David K. Yemba appointedOmadjela director of communi-cations and development for theCentral Congo Area. Graduat-ing in June 2012, he was com-pleting his last semester ofmaster of business adminis-tration studies.Today Omadjela works in

one of United Methodism’sflourishing areas, a fact con-firmed by 2012 General Con-ference delegates, whoincreased the number of

bishops in the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo fromthree to four. Thirteen annualconferences within the CongoCentral Conference have acurrent aggregate membershipof 2.3 million.“We are determined to show

a difference in everything we dohere,” Omadjela said.He credits Africa University

with shaping him to becomea leader.“What was good,” he

explained, “is I was learninghow to lead; meanwhile, I wasleading. In intensive English, Iwas the class representative in aclass of 96 students from fivecountries.” He organized anintensive English-languagechurch service. He also workedas a sub-warden (residenceassistant) for master’s studentsand led the Africa University

choir as student coordinator.“I organized many activities,

preparing the choir for lastyear’s graduation day, and theWorld Methodist Council eventin Durban, South Africa.“I did not only study how to

lead,” Omadjela continued, “but I(also) had time to practice. Mybishop heard about all myresponsibilities at Africa Uni-versity. That is why he decided togive me a job in the church.”Earning a Ph.D. is Omadjela’s

dream. His goal? To teach atAfrica University.“From Africa University, I …

have seen love in action,” he said.“I promise to serve the churchwhich gave me a scholarship. Iam really a changed person aftergoing to Africa University.”

—Philip Brooks is a freelancewriter living in Nashville, Tenn.

Pierre T. Omadjela

Andra

Stev

ens

And

raSt

even

s

32

Give Faithfully.Give Hope.Order a family of resources to helptell the story of the AfricaUniversity Fund apportionment:

• Africa University Fund:Living beyond the Dream DVD(86000508)

• Africa University Fund Brochure(86000407)

Order these and other resourcesfrom United MethodistCommunications by callingtoll-free (888) 346-3862.

Hours: Monday - Thursday,7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., CentralFriday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

For more information, visitwww.umcgiving.org orwww.infoserv.umc.org.

Learn more about how you canput your faith into action bycontacting the Africa UniversityDevelopment Office at(615) 340-7438,audevoffice@gbhem.org orwww.support-africauniversity.org.

Visit Africa University’s website atwww.africau.edu.

Encourage your local church to seta 100 percent apportionment-remittance goal! Sending a portionof your goal each month makes iteasier to reach full remittance byyear’s end.

Africa University apportionmentreceipts from local churchesprovide the basics necessary tooperate the university, such asutilities, equipment and facultysalaries.

Honor your friends or family bysponsoring an Africa Universitystudent in their name.

How YouCan Help

Africa University continues tobe the evidence of faith, hopeand belief in the visions ofdreamers. We are counting onyou! Your church’s 100 percentapportionment remittancemeans 100 percent support ofAfrica University’s operationalbudget. Consider theseadditional ways of helping theuniversity to educate newleaders for the nations of Africa:

Planned Gifts–Planned giftsare the foundation for the long-term survival of Africa University.For many, a bequest offers anopportunity to make a moresubstantial charitable gift thanwould be possible during one’slifetime. As you make your estateplans, consider leaving a gift toAfrica University in your will. Ifyou already have included AfricaUniversity in your estate plans,please let us know so we maywelcome you to the Richard E.“Dick” Reeves Legacy Society.

Usahwira –This word in theShona language means “abeautiful friendship.” Encourageyour local church to become apartner with Africa Universityby supporting one student atthe university for four years.The cost to support one studentannually is $5,400. Localchurches may provide full orpartial scholarships.

Endowment Fund–Give to theAfrica University EndowmentFund (World Service Special Gift#03-01-88). The interest incomefrom the endowment is used toprovide scholarships for ourstudents.

Africa University is supportedby congregations andindividuals across The UnitedMethodist Church. Let’s worktogether to continue thetransformation of lives and ofAfrica.

For more information, pleasecontact:

Africa UniversityDevelopment Office

P.O. Box 340007Nashville, TN 37203-0007(615) 340-7438 (phone)

(615) 340-7290 (fax)audevoffice@gbhem.org

www.support-africauniversity.org

Bishop Leontine TurpeauCurrent Kelly, 92, trailblazer,spiritual mother, champion forwomen of color in leadershipand gift to The UnitedMethodist Church, died June 28.The first African-American

woman elected to the UnitedMethodist episcopacy in 1984,Kelly ministered extensivelywithin and beyond the church.To the Africa University family,Kelly was a wise, beloved friend.The first African-American

woman to preside at a General

Conference, she officiated whenthe body unanimously passedlegislation authorizing thefounding of Africa University.Although illness prevented herfrom attending the 1991groundbreaking ceremony, Kellydefied her doctor’s orders andattended Africa University’s firstgraduation ceremony inDecember 1994.In 2000, she invited family

and friends to celebrate her 80thbirthday with “gifts that willenable more young people toattend Africa University.” Anendowed scholarship in hername has allowed a successionof future leaders to enroll atAfrica University.Kelly is survived by two sons,

Gloster B. and John DavidCurrent, and two daughters,Angella Current Felder andPamela Lynne Kelly.Angella Current Felder

followed her mother’s exampleby giving leadership to Africa

University and women of color.Current Felder retired as directorof the United Methodist Officeof Loans and Scholarships,Board of Higher Education andMinistry, in 2010. CurrentFelder is also the author ofthe Africa University story,The School of Dreams in the Valleyof Hope.Contributions to Africa Un-

iversity in Kelly’s honor may besent to The Bishop LeontineT. C. Kelly Endowed Scholar-ship Fund, Africa UniversityDevelopment Office, P. O. Box340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007; (615) 340-7438;www.support-africauniversity.org.Funeral services were held

July 5 at Jones Memorial UnitedMethodist Church in SanFrancisco, where her daughter-in-law, the Rev. Stacy Current, isthe senior pastor.

—Compiled from variousWeb sites

Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly

U.S.–Zimbabwe Connection Offers Hope

Pamela CrosbyThe mainstay of Africa

University’s support in SouthCarolina is the local church. Inthe mountains, midlands andLow Country of the state,United Methodist congre-gations have opened theirhearts to this far-flung ministry.Whether worshipping in

large or small churches or inrural or urban settings,congregants are findingparallels to their own stories inthe stories of Africancommunities and of the youngmen and women who enroll atAfrica University.By faithfully remitting 100%

of their share of the AfricaUniversity Fund apportion-ment, making second-mile giftsin the form of scholarships orhelping to build facilities, thecontributions of local churches

make teaching, research andlearning possible.Along the coast between

Charleston and Myrtle Beach isMurrell’s Inlet, where the Rev.Dr. B. Mike Alexander is seniorpastor at Belin (pronouncedBlain) Memorial UMC.Planted in 1925, Belin UMCserved the whole community,including the descendants ofthe African slaves who hadworked in the rice paddies ofarea plantations. The 2,200-member congregation has ahistory of transformationalpartnerships that goes backgenerations and continuestoday through its steadfastsupport of AU.

Connected to family inZimbabwe and Africa“We are God’s people and

we have always supported the

higher education of youngpeople,” says Alexander. “Weare happy to pay our appor-tionment for Africa Universityand, as a pastor, I’m proud toserve a church that takes pridein paying apportionments infull. The members understandthat we are a family connectedto family and that meansconnected to family inZimbabwe and Africa.“For us,” continues

Alexander, “…if there is anyhope for the future of theworld, if barriers are ever goingto be broken down betweenRepublicans and Democrats,between Christians and Mus-lims, if there is any hope ofcoming together at all, it is withthe young people who willcome after us. The hope forAfrica and for the world is inthe young people who aregetting an education at AfricaUniversity.”In supporting Africa Uni-

versity, South Carolina isdeveloping leaders for all places,ministries and future oppor-tunities on the continent andacross the globe. More andmore, United Methodists inSouth Carolina and beyond arecoming to understand thatAfrica University is not only aproject the church invests in, butthat the institution is an integralpart of the church’s growth,intellect, history and progress.With a reported 3.4 million

members and rapid growth inAfrica, the hope and futureof The United MethodistChurch is intricately con-nected to partnership on theAfrican continent. It is thatconnection that keeps givinghope to the university, to TheUnited Methodist Church andto the world.

—Crosby is a freelance writer andformer Africa University Fund

account executive based inNashville, Tenn.

Central Congo Communicator Thanks AU

Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly Dies at 92

Mik

eD

uBos

e

Philip BrooksAfter honing

his leadershipskills at AfricaUniversity,Pierre T.Omadjelareceived a

hard-to-refuse invitation from hisbishop.In September 2011, Bishop

David K. Yemba appointedOmadjela director of communi-cations and development for theCentral Congo Area. Graduat-ing in June 2012, he was com-pleting his last semester ofmaster of business adminis-tration studies.Today Omadjela works in

one of United Methodism’sflourishing areas, a fact con-firmed by 2012 General Con-ference delegates, whoincreased the number of

bishops in the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo fromthree to four. Thirteen annualconferences within the CongoCentral Conference have acurrent aggregate membershipof 2.3 million.“We are determined to show

a difference in everything we dohere,” Omadjela said.He credits Africa University

with shaping him to becomea leader.“What was good,” he

explained, “is I was learninghow to lead; meanwhile, I wasleading. In intensive English, Iwas the class representative in aclass of 96 students from fivecountries.” He organized anintensive English-languagechurch service. He also workedas a sub-warden (residenceassistant) for master’s studentsand led the Africa University

choir as student coordinator.“I organized many activities,

preparing the choir for lastyear’s graduation day, and theWorld Methodist Council eventin Durban, South Africa.“I did not only study how to

lead,” Omadjela continued, “but I(also) had time to practice. Mybishop heard about all myresponsibilities at Africa Uni-versity. That is why he decided togive me a job in the church.”Earning a Ph.D. is Omadjela’s

dream. His goal? To teach atAfrica University.“From Africa University, I …

have seen love in action,” he said.“I promise to serve the churchwhich gave me a scholarship. Iam really a changed person aftergoing to Africa University.”

—Philip Brooks is a freelancewriter living in Nashville, Tenn.

Pierre T. Omadjela

Andra

Stev

ens

And

raSt

even

s

In this issue:

Fall 2012

Celebratingthe

Connectionbetw

eenA

fricaU

niversityand

United

Methodist

CongregationsFall2

012

100Percen

tSupport

Thankyou

forsupporting

Africa

University

throughyour

100percent

remittance

ofthe

Africa

University

Fundapportionm

entin

2011.

JurisdictionTotalSupport

andA

nnualConferences

with

100percent

orm

orein

2011(includes

2010perform

ance)

North

CentralJurisd

iction2011

2010D

akotas102%

EastO

hio100%

100%Illinois

Great

Rivers100%

100%Iow

a100%

118.36%M

innesota102.86%

99.29%N

orthernIllinois

100%100%

West

Michigan

100%W

estO

hio100%

Wisconsin

151.51%110.50%

North

easternJurisd

ictionBaltim

ore-Washington

100%100%

Greater

New

Jersey100%

100%N

ewEngland

100%100%

New

York100%

100%Susquehanna

100%Peninsula-D

elaware

100%100%

Upper

New

York100%

133%W

estVirginia

112.46%110.34%

Western

Pennsylvania100%

South

Central

Jurisd

ictionC

entralTexas100%

Louisiana100.01%

100.04%N

orthTexas

100.50%100%

Oklahom

aIndian

Missionary

100.05%100%

Southeastern

Jurisd

ictionFlorida

100%100%

Holston

100%K

entucky100%

99%N

orthC

arolina100%

100%N

orthG

eorgia113.58%

114%Red

BirdM

issionary100.06%

110.87%

Western

Jurisd

ictionA

laskaU

nitedM

ethodist100.02%

100%D

esertSouthw

est100%

AsAfrica

University

celebrates20

yearsofrealized

dreams,w

elook

forward

toyour

fullsupportin2012.

•A

fricaU

niversityis

locatedin

Old

Mutare,

Zimbabw

e,andis

thefirst

fullyaccredited

United

Methodist–related

educationalinstitutionon

theA

fricancon

tinent,establishedby

actionof

theG

eneralConference.

•Africa

University

offersbachelor’s

andm

aster’sdegree

programs

insix

facultiesoflearning:

agricultureand

naturalresources,education,healthsciences,hum

anitiesand

socialsciences,manage-

mentand

administration

andtheology.The

InstituteofPeace,Leadership

andG

overnanceoffers

postgraduatediplom

asand

master’s

programs.

600412/50M

Martha Marie Orphe’sministry has taken her toevery continent but Ant-arctica. She has visited 21countries to date and hasvisited Africa Universityat least four times that shecan recall.Orphe is the youngest of

six children born to Josephand Dolores Orphe. Sheand her siblings werereared in St. Martinville,La. She graduated withhonors from St. MartinvilleSenior High School in1977; she earned herbachelor of arts degree inreligion and computerscience from Clark College(Atlanta) in 1982; hermaster of divinity degreefrom Vanderbilt University(Nashville, Tenn.) in 1985;and her doctor of ministrydegree from Wesley Theo-logical Seminary (Wash-ington, D.C.) in 1993.Orphe was ordained a

deacon in the LouisianaAnnual Conference in

1984 and an elder in theWestern PennsylvaniaAnnual Conference in1987. She served for morethan 21 years in WesternPennsylvania, includingseven years as districtsuperintendent of thePittsburgh District.In 2006, Orphe re-turned

home to Louisiana toserve as the ConferenceMission Zone director tosupervise the rebuilding of50 churches and commu-nities in New Orleans andwest Louisiana that wereseverely impacted byhurricanes Katrina andRita. In the midst of hernew ministry,grieved the death of herbeloved mother, who diedone week after HurricaneKatrina, and her belovedsister, who died two weeksafter Hurricane Rita.Orphe currently serves

as senior pastor of FirstStreet Peck Wesley UnitedMethodist Church andWilliams Ross UnitedMethodist Church locatedin New Orleans.Orphe has been actively

engaged with AfricaUniversity since its in-ception in 1988. She hasraised awareness, madefriends and raised funds forthe new university. Orphewas district superintendentwhen the General Confer-ence of The United Meth-odist Church was held in

Pittsburgh in 2004. Shearranged for the AU choirto perform in concert in thedistrict. She also hosted thechoir members in her homefor a fabulous meal pre-pared by her parents, whotraveled from Louisiana todo so. “It was one of thehigh points of my parents’lives to meet those young,vibrant, engaging studentsfrom Africa University,”Orphe reflected. “Themeeting was especially poi-gnant for my dad becausehe had traced his roots toGhana through DNAtesting,” she continued.In 2010, Orphe was

formally inducted into theRichard E. “Dick” ReevesLegacy Society becauseshe has included AfricaUniversity in her estateplans. Orphe said, “I loveMother Africa, and I wantto invest in her future. Ifirmly believe that themost effective way to do sois by investing in thehigher education ofAfrica’s young women andmen. Africa University isthe perfect institution toallow me to do so.”Orphe’s dream for Africa

University is that one day itwill become the premiereuniversity for all of Africaand produce the nextgeneration of African leaders.

—Elaine Jenkins,Africa University

Development Office

In West Michigan, AU Story InspiresUncommon GenerosityAndra StevensWest Michigan Conference gift of $500,000 to build a welcome centerat AU inspired an anonymous donor to match the contribution,increasing the gift to $1 million.

Central Congo Communicator Thanks AUPhilip Brooks‘I was learning how to lead; meanwhile, I was leading. … I am really achanged person after going to Africa University.’− Pierre T. Omadjela

Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly Dies at 92Compiled from various websitesFirst African-American woman elected to the United Methodist episcopacyleaves a rich legacy of leadership.

U.S.–Zimbabwe Connection Offers HopePamela CrosbySteadfast support of Africa University illustrates South Carolinacongregation’s ‘transformational partnerships.’

The World Is Her ParishElaine JenkinsThe Rev. Dr. Martha Orphe expresses her love for Africa by investing inAfrica University.

The late Dr. Nancy M. Carruthinducts the Rev. Dr. MarthaOrphe into the Richard E.“Dick” Reeves Legacy Society,September 2010.

The World Is Her Parish

Andra

Stevens

InJune,U

nitedMethodist

congregationsinthe

West

Michigan

Conference

surpassedtheir

goalof$500,000tobuild

theUbuntu

Welcom

e/Gathering

Center

atAfrica

University.In

anarea

thatisjustem

ergingfrom

adecade

ofeconomic

decline,United

Methodists

stretchedthem

selvesingiving.

Alayperson’s

giftof$5,000,made

fromthe

floorofthe

annualconferenceevent,took

thecam

paignover

itsgoalsix

months

earlierthan

expected.Ananonym

ousdonor

matched

theconference’s

$500,000,making

$1million

availableforthe

buildingand

forequipm

entandfurnishings.

“WestM

ichiganismaking

astatem

entofpositiverecognition

ofwhatA

fricaUniversity

hasaccom

plishedinitsfirst20

yearsofexistence,”

saidEdEdw

ard-son,the

campaign

co-chair.“It

speakstoour

beliefthatAfrica

University

trulycan

bealeader

intransform

ingallofA

frica.Byproviding

ethicalleadershipfor

allsectors,communities

canmake

positivestrides .”

TheWestM

ichiganeffort

investsinAfrica

University’s

ministry

byproviding

affordableon-cam

pushousing

forvisiting

faculty,mission

teams,clergy,

youthand

otherswhogather

forsem

inarsontopics

rangingfrom

foodsecurity

topeace-

buildinginAfrica.

“Whatis

compelling

iswhat

thebuilding

istobeused

forand

howitfits

intoaministry

thatisaboutstrengthening

reconciliation,nurturingleader-

shipand

shapinganew

,more

positivefuture,”

saidthe

Rev.

Dr.Laurie

Haller,the

former

Grand

Rapids

Districtsuper-

intendent,whoserved

onthe

GeneralBoard

ofHigher

Edu-cation

andMinistry

(GBHEM).

LaunchedinJune

2010,thecam

paignsentspeakers

outtoshare

theAfrica

University

storyinpulpits

andatother

gatheringsacross

theconfer-

ence.EricMulanda,a

theologystudentfrom

theDemocratic

Republic

oftheCongo,itiner-

atedinWestM

ichiganand

made

presentationsviaSkype

fromZimbabw

e.Clergy

andlay

members

oftheconference

visitedthe

campus

andreturned

tospeak

withknow

ledgeand

passionaboutthe

university.“You

havetoseize

themoment,and

thiswasthat

moment,”

saidEdwardson,

whodescribed

theresponse

of

individualdonorsas“just

incredible.”Haller

creditsthe

successof

thecam

paigntothe

deeplyrooted

mission

cultureamong

United

Methodists

inMichigan.

TheGrand

Rapids

District

raisedthe

majority

ofthefunds,

andthe

otherfive

districtseach

pledged$20,000.H

allernotes

thattheinvolvem

entofWest

Mich igan’s

districtsuperin-tendents

playedacrucialrole

inthe

outcome.

“There

isastory

totell,”

saidHaller.“A

fricaUniversity

isaministry

thatencompasses

thefour

focusareas

ofourchurch.T

heUbuntu

Center

projectbroughtthewhole

conferencetogether

inmission

inawaythatw

ehave

notseenpreviously.A

fricaUniversity

isn’tjustanam

etous.It’s

aministry

inwhich

wehave

invested.”Going

forward, E

dward-

sonsees

tremendous

scopefor

growing

WestM

ichigan’sengagem

entwithAfrica

University.“There

isahuge

oppor-tunity

topartner

withWest

Michigan

churchesand

educationalinstitutionsto

furtherthe

successofA

fricaUniversity

onthe

continent,”said

Edwardson.

—Story

byAndra

Stevens,director

ofco mm

unicationsin

theAfrica

University

Developm

entO

ffice

The

Rev.D

r.LaurieH

allerand

theW

estM

ichigandelegation

worked

with

AUstaff

todevelop

theW

elcome

Center

plansin

2010.

Andra Stevens InWest

Mich

igan,AUSto

ryInspires

UncommonGenero

sity