wfn.org | Longtime Disciples Africa executive resigns

["Communication Ministries" <wshuffit@cm.disciples.org>]

Date: August 27, 2001
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Curt Miller
E-mail: cmiller@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

01a-47

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- After nearly 20 years of key leadership
of ministry to and with African Christians the Rev. Daniel C.
Hoffman has resigned, effective Aug. 24, as Africa Executive of
the Common Global Ministries Board (CGMB), a common witness of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church
of Christ (UCC). 

	In his letter of resignation to the Rev. Patricia Tucker Spier,
president of the Disciples Division of Overseas Ministries
(DOM), Hoffman said, "As you know, I have been contemplating for
some time several life-related moves, including new
denominational affiliation with the Episcopal Church and search
for new work."  Hoffman, 58, said he wants to initiate those
changes while he is in good health and full of enthusiasm.

	Hoffman was ordained a minister of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in June 1974.  His lengthy international
ministry assignments date to 1970, when he served as the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Division of Overseas
Ministries /United Church Board for World Ministries
representative to the Evangelical Congregational Church of
Brazil.  He taught Christian Education and Biblical studies at
the Brazilian denomination's seminary, developed Christian
education materials for local congregations and conducted
training seminars in southern Brazil.  

	From 1976 to 1979, Hoffman served as DOM representative to the
Reformed Church of France. Headquartered at Pau, France, he
worked with Portuguese immigrants, organized continuing
education for clergy and lay persons and worked with private and
government agencies on the resettlement of Southeast Asian
refugees.  

	In 1981 he was DOM representative to the Mindolo Ecumenical
Foundation in Zambia, Africa. He researched Zambian theological
education and taught special Mindolo seminars. 

	In 1982 Hoffman was named executive secretary, Department of
Africa, Division of Overseas Ministries, Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ).  He headed the Disciples/UCC Joint
Ministry in Africa starting in 1992, and when the overseas
ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the
United Church of Christ came together under a common board in
1996, Hoffman became Africa Executive for Global Ministries. 
For nearly 20 years, he was responsible for all Disciples and
UCC links with African churches and ecumenical organizations. 
He supervised as many as 40 overseas mission personnel serving
in Africa.  

	From 1982-88, Hoffman chaired the Africa Committee of the
National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and from 1983
until his resignation, he was a delegate to Africa-related
roundtables sponsored by the World Council of Churches in
Geneva. 

	"I was privileged to accompany the years of intense
anti-apartheid struggle in the eighties and I was proud of the
contribution of the UCC and Disciples to a new, democratic
non-racial South Africa," Hoffman said.  "I know that the
Disciples and UCC are deeply concerned about new challenges in
Africa, including cancellation of the international debt,
HIV/AIDS, conflict resolution, identification of new partners
sharing Global Ministries core values and nurture of significant
relations with African Christians that, in some cases, span more
than a century," he said.  

	"We are grateful for Daniel's many years of faithful service,
first as Africa executive for the Division of Overseas
Ministries, then for the Joint Ministries, and finally for the
Common Global Ministries Board when that was formed," said Spier
in a letter to the Common Global Ministries directors and staff.
"We wish to express our deep appreciation for these ministries,
and for the untiring way in which Daniel always engaged his
work." 

	A search process will be undertaken according to standing rules
of the Common Global Ministries Board. Meanwhile, interim and
part time arrangements are being made for the work of the Africa
office.  The Revs. Howard and Darlene Goodrich, retired pastors
and former Africa missionaries, will be available to work with
Global Ministries during the transition process.  Bridget
Robinson, program associate, and Pat Sanborn, administrative
assistant, will carry on with day-to-day operations.  

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