wfn.org | [UMNS-ALL-NEWS] UMNS# 293-North Texas donates $500, 000 to Africa University

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

North Texas donates $500,000 to Africa University

Jul. 14, 2008    News media contact:   Linda  Green * (615) 7425470*   Nashville {293}

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

>By Joan LaBarr*

DALLAS (UMNS)--The United Methodist North Texas Annual (regional)  Conference has donated $500,000 to build a new student health center at  Africa University, with plans to contribute another $500,000 to the  Zimbabwe school.

During the conference's 2008 annual session, Bishop Alfred L. Norris led  the "Africa Night" celebration at Hamilton Park United Methodist Church.  The June 9 event celebrated ties with Africa University in Old Mutare.

"You have made history," said James Salley, accepting the check as vice  president and director of institutional advancement for the United  Methodist school. "This is the first time that an annual conference has  done a major campaign and raised such a large amount in less than a  year."

Of the $1 million campaign goal, the conference reported some $800,000  in gifts and pledges. A $5,000 offering was collected during the  celebration. The additional funds are being collected to fund health  science scholarships as part of the conference's 2007-08 Bishop's  Initiative for Africa University.

"It's a significant gift for the North Texas Conference to make at one  of the most challenging times politically in Zimbabwe. It says to us  that the church is not backing away during a time of need. It's good to  know that we stand on the shoulders of The United Methodist Church and  they can hold us up," Salley said.

Despite political and economic turmoil in Zimbabwe, Salley said there  has been no interference with Africa University, which is still  conducting classes, paying staff and graduating students.

"In the midst of chaos and confusion, when other people are saying 'no,'  the church says 'yes,'" Salley said.

Salley said the new health center will resolve an immediate problem for  Africa University, which has long outgrown its old student health  clinic.

>Blooming in the desert

Preaching on "blooming in the desert," Norris emphasized the need for  spiritual irrigation and nourishment. He spoke about the 2008 Lenten  study on Africa University, created by North Texas supporters of the  campaign and calling it an experience of "bringing hope to our brothers  and sisters in Africa."

The Lenten study included devotionals written by people who had traveled  to Africa University in the summer of 2007, as well as other interested  clergy and laity. As a part of the study, participants were asked to  make sacrificial gifts to the Bishop's Initiative. These gifts,  representing churches of all sizes, were included in the check presented  to Salley.

In his sermon based on Isaiah 35:1-2, Norris noted Africa University's  philosophy that deserts can bloom. He said those who take part in  ministries such as the initiative provide such blossoming opportunities,  both in Africa and in one's personal life. "Your life might be dry  tonight, but God can stir up good gifts in you. You can bloom!" Norris  declared.

Salley said the resources created by the conference--including the  Lenten Study, the campaign process and the celebration--can serve as a  model for other places.

Africa University was founded by The United Methodist Church in 1992 as  the first private university in Zimbabwe. On June 7 at its 14th  graduation ceremony, the school awarded 354 degrees to students from 16  different African countries.

># # #

*LaBarr is director of communications for the North Texas Annual  Conference and editor of the conference's edition of the United  Methodist Reporter.

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

>********************

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

----------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe from this group, go to UMCom.org, log in to your account, click on the My Resources link and select the Leave option on the list(s) from which you wish to unsubscribe. If you have problems or questions, please write to websupport@umcom.org.

Powered by United Methodist Communications http://www.UMCom.org