wfn.org | UMNS# 055-Campus ministry to be replanted at Africa University

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Campus ministry to be replanted at Africa University

Jan. 30, 2006

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org.

By Matthew Oates*

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (UMNS) - The annual conferences that brought the
United Methodist Church the first two Wesley Foundations in the United
States are partnering to replant a Wesley Foundation at Africa
University next year.

Through an agreement between the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference
and the Wesley Foundation at Purdue University in the North Indiana
Conference, the Revs. Glen and Lana Robyne will consult with Africa
University and restart a Wesley Foundation campus ministry at the school
from Feb. 1 through June 30.

The Robynes are ordained elders in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
but have been serving an appointment to the Wesley Foundation at Purdue
University in West Lafayette, Ind., since 2001.

For Glen, it's a chance to reconnect with Africa. His grandfather served
as a missionary, and relatives still live there. "I believe there is
nothing better you can offer a continent that's been so exploited than
education and ministry," he said.

The chapel at Africa University was built in 2001 and included an
unfinished area in the basement for expansion. Through donations from
Illinois Great Rivers, it was dedicated as the Reeves Wesley Foundation,
and student groups still use it. Africa University administrators shared
their wish for an expanded program during a 2002 visit by students and
staff of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Illinois and Purdue.

"Out of those discussions came an idea for a mission partnership, where
a campus minister could come over from the United States to work with
the Africa University chaplain and student leaders to develop a campus
ministry program," Glen said.

"We're going to be transformed through the people we meet," Lana added.
"We're ready to be flexible and adaptable."

The Wesley Foundation at Africa University was established in 1999 by
the Revs. Luther Felder and Lillian Smith, staff members of the United
Methodist Board of Higher Education. Felder, responsible for campus
ministries at the board, said he is excited to see the foundation being
restarted.

"I am grateful that the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and the Wesley
Foundation at Purdue University have partnered to send staff that will
be at Africa University to assist in the development of this ministry,"
he said.

Felder said the Robynes will be of tremendous assistance to the Rev.
Phillimon T. Chikafu, Africa University chaplain, who has experienced
campus ministry firsthand in the United States.

"The foundation at Africa University is being restarted with more
intense involvement of Wesley Foundation leadership to provide
sustainable development of this important project on the African
continent," Felder said.

"The Wesley Foundation at Africa University is off to a great start,"
said Chikafu. "Thanks to the support of the Illinois Great Rivers
Conference for giving in honor of Richard and Joyce Reeves, we have a
space and equipment that has already being put to use." The Reeves, of
Indiana, were major benefactors of the school.

The foundation space is being used for student fellowship gatherings and
programs in  Christian education leading to development and community
service.

"Over the course of the next five months, the Robynes will assist us in
future development of the capacity of the Wesley Foundation, expanding
its programs and institutionalizing its operations in our collaboration
with the United Methodist churches," Chikafu said.

But getting to Mutare, Zimbabwe, from West Lafayette, Ind., has had its
challenges. The Robynes are taking their two children, Isaiah, 5, and
Ella, 4, and are in continual conversation with university staff about
accommodations, their needs and additional details regarding their
ministry.

"We're going to live very simply. Our focus is on the ministry," said
Lana.

Glen added, "The people I've been in contact with at Africa University
are very excited about this. This is being done in a spirit of
partnership."

Both are looking forward to working with students from all academic
areas, especially in the faculty of theology with pre-ministry students
and those serving as local pastors.

Replanting the foundation will be a challenge, Glen noted.

"What works at one campus ministry doesn't necessarily work at another
campus ministry. That's part of the challenge of this trip. But we have
a lot of great ideas, as do the people already in ministry there," he
said. "Our biggest request from people here is that God's will be done
on the Africa University campus."

For more information on supporting the ministry, contact the Wesley
Foundation at Purdue at (765) 743-5066 or purduewesley@verizon.net.

*Oates serves as the North Indiana correspondent for Indiana Area United
Methodist Communications. Linda Green, a news writer for United
Methodist News Service, contributed to this report.

News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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