wfn.org | Consultation calls for coordinated African planning

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Sept. 13, 2002	News media contact: Tim Tanton7(615)742-54707Nashville,
Tenn.  10-31-71BP{409}

NOTE: Photographs are available with this report.

By the Rev. Larry Hollon*

DAKAR, Senegal (UMNS) - If the United Methodist Church is to claim its
history and "be the people of God" in Africa, it must minister to the
spiritual and urgent physical needs of African people, according to the
leader of the church's mission in Dakar.

Speaking to 60 participants in a Sept. 4-6 Consultation on Holistic Strategy
for Africa, the Rev. Nkemba Ndjunga said the church must "educate, persuade
and be a voice for justice" as it seeks to restore conditions favorable for
self-development. 

Ndjunga's comments came as conferees grappled with the challenge of meeting
human needs where life hangs in the balance while also focusing on long-term
strategies to change systems that perpetuate injustice. A comprehensive plan
to coordinate the work of general agencies and other church entities will
increase effectiveness and efficiency, the group agreed. 

The consultation drew bishops from Africa, Asia and the United States; lay
people from several African central conferences; and top executives and
other staff from general boards and agencies.

In addition to encouraging spiritual development and congregational growth,
the church must support democratic government and peace initiatives, Ndjunga
said. He challenged the church to follow John Wesley's example as a
prophetic voice. 

Basing his remarks on Matthew 21, the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem
on Palm Sunday, he said the cry "Hosanna!" is really a cry for liberation.
"The people were crying to Jesus, 'Save us; heal us; restore us.' It was a
cry of help to a savior for redemption," he said.  

Conference participants will ask the United Methodist Council of Bishops to
sponsor an inventory of church work in the denomination's central
conferences, which include Africa. The inventory is to be completed by
mid-October and reported to the bishops by their Holistic Strategy Task
Force. An ad hoc task group will use the information as it considers how to
coordinate African United Methodist mission and ministry. 

"This will be an eye-opener," said Bishop John Innis of Liberia. The
inventory will "show how much we are already doing and how much more we need
to do. I feel this will be a helpful step toward transparency and
accountability."

The ad hoc group's effort is aimed at increasing effectiveness and
accountability, enabling cooperation and developing long-term strategic
planning for ministry on the continent. U.S. and African bishops and top
staff executives of United Methodist agencies are included in the group.

"Sustainable development and developmental evangelism are parallel tracks of
the same gospel of Jesus Christ," said Bishop Felton Edwin May of
Washington, chairman of the consultation. He added that the church must also
deal with poverty, pestilence, disease, social injustice and economic
exploitation, which he called "weapons of mass destruction."	 

The Holistic Strategy Task Force will report to the bishops when the council
meets in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in early November.

During the consultation, conferees worshiped with 100 members of the
6-year-old Senegal United Methodist mission church and visited programs the
church has successfully created in Dakar. The mission church, which started
with eight members, now has 12 local churches in 10 cities and towns with
about 600 members. 

Relying on open-air neighborhood worship services to attract people in this
95-percent Muslim nation, the mission also conducts Christian education
programs and operates a residential safe house for young girls who are
estranged from their families and, in some cases, have become prostitutes to
survive.  

The mission's microenterprise training teaches women sewing, embroidery and
marketing skills to run their own business. It operates a workshop that
crafts exercise equipment and other metal products. Its three fitness
centers are directed at filling the high priority of many young Senegalese
for physical fitness. The church's centers are priced to be affordable to
low-income neighborhoods.  

# # #

*Hollon, top staff executive of United Methodist Communications,
participated in the consultation in Dakar.

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org