In this issue:

Summer 2012Sum

mer

2012

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

fricancontinent,established

byaction

ofthe

GeneralC

onference.•

AfricaU

niversityoffers

bachelor’sand

master’s

degreeprogram

sin

sixfaculties

oflearning:agriculture

andnaturalresources,education,health

sciences,humanities

andsocialsciences,m

anage-m

entandadm

inistrationand

theology.TheInstitute

ofPeace,Leadershipand

Governance

offerspostgraduate

diplomas

andm

aster’sprogram

s.

600312/50M

Bill and Debbi Iwig havea deep heritage, bothhaving been born andreared in the Midwest. Billgrew up on a dairy farmowned and operated by hisfather and uncles andlocated near Topeka, Kan.Here he learned to appre-ciate hard work and asupportive extended family.Debbi grew up primarily inKansas and Missouri,developing an adventurousspirit from her family’sfrequent moves.Education was an inte-

gral part of their youngadult years. Bill and Debbimet while students atBaker University, BaldwinCity, Kan. Both graduatedwith degrees in mathe-matics.Subsequently, Bill earned

his master’s degree in statis-tics from Texas A&MUniversity, and Debbicompleted her master’s inbusiness administration atthe University ofNebraska–Lincoln.

Bill and Debbi married in1975 and lived in Lincoln,Neb., for two years beforebeing transferred toWashington, D.C., so thatBill could be closer to hisplace of employment withthe National AgriculturalStatistics Service of the U.S.Department of Agriculture.For more than 37 years, Billhas served the Americanpublic through this agency.Debbi recently retired afternine years as CFO forProject HOPE, an interna-tional health education andhumanitarian assistanceorganization. This waspreceded by a 20-yearcareer with Marriott Inter-national in various financialand management positions.Debbi and Bill said thatthese job opportunities onlyoccurred because of theirsolid educationalbackground. They want tomake this same opportunityavailable to others.Bill grew up in The

Evangelical UnitedBrethren Church andDebbi in The MethodistChurch. Christian faithand church life have alwaysbeen important aspects oftheir lives. They have beenactively involved in theministry programs ofAnnandale United Metho-dist Church (Va.) for thelast 27 years.

Bill and Debbi madetheir connection withAfrica University throughtheir local church andthrough one of their closefriends, the Rev. F. LloydRollins. Rollins’s enthu-siasm was infectious. In2002, Debbi traveled toAfrica University with asmall group led by Rollins.This was Debbi’s first tripto the continent of Africa,and it made a lastingimpression upon her. Shewas also very impressed bywhat Africa University hadaccomplished in only 10short years.This new university

quickly captured the Iwigs’imagination. “We believethat education can breakdown barriers, and weloved the idea of a place inAfrica where students couldcome from all over the con-tinent to receive an edu-cation grounded in Chris-tian values,” they shared.Bill and Debbi have not

only been generous annualsupporters of AfricaUniversity but they havealso included the universityin their estate plans. Theyplan to celebrate AfricaUniversity’s 20th anni-versary on campus with agroup led by Rollins.

—Elaine Jenkins,Africa University

Development Office

Africa University: A University for UnitedMethodists around the WorldStephen DrachlerAU graduates serve as delegates, translators and staff persons at GC2012.

UMC Affirms and Reinvests in AUAndra StevensThe United Methodist Church’s approval of a new, lower budget for 2013-2016 presents a serious funding challenge for Africa University.

Four 2012 Graduates Selected as GBGMMission InternsAndra StevensLiberian graduate enters training for service as a GBGM mission intern.

Africa University Grads EnrichCommunitiesAndra StevensIn the Democratic Republic of Congo, the work and community-outreachefforts of alumni make an impact.

Breaking Down Barriers throughEducationElaine JenkinsBill and Debbi Iwig made their connection with Africa University throughtheir local church.

Bill and Debbi Iwig

Breaking Down Barriers throughEducation

Stephen

Drach

ler

Africa

University’s

expandinginfluence

acrossAfrica

andthroughoutT

heUnited

MethodistC

hurchshow

edthroughoutthe

2012United

MethodistG

eneralConference

inTam

pa,Fla.Theofficialparts

–the

colorfulgarband

inspirationalsinging

oftheuniversity’s

renowned

choirand

thecelebration

oftheuniversity’s

20thanniversary

—were

impressive

andwarm

lygreeted

bythe

nearly1,000

delegatesfrom

aroundthe

world.

Butmore

important,and

woven

deeplyinto

thefabric

ofthe

conference,werethe

contri-butions

ofAfrica

University

graduates.Someweredelegates

andalternate

delegatestothe

assembly

thatmetfrom

April

24toMay5inthe

Tampa

Convention

Center.A

Ugradu-

atesserved

aschairpersons

ofdelegations,officers

oflegisla-tive

committees,presenters

of

reportstothe

conference,translatorsand

staffpersons.TheRev.D

r.LaishiBwalya

ofZambia,w

hoearned

under-graduate

andmaster’s

degreesintheology

atAU,waselected

tochair

theinfluentialLegisla-

tiveCommittee

onDisciple-

ship.Healso

headedthe

Zambia

ProvisionalConfer-

ence’sdelegation

tothe

confer-ence.A

notherAUgraduate,

theRev.Levson

IonMhone,

whoreceived

abachelor

ofdivinity

degreein1997,headed

theMalaw

iMissionary

Confer-

encedelegation.

TheRev.G

uyMande

Muyom

bo,awarded

abachelor

ofdivinity

degreein

2006and

amaster’s

ofpeace

andgovernance

in2008,

representedthe

more

than4,000

studentswhohave

graduatedover

thepast

20years

asheoffered

histesti-

mony

tothe

conference.“Thank

youfor

livingouta

powerfuland

transforming

gospelinaministry

calledAfrica

University,”

said

Muyom

bo,whoispresident

oftherecently

openedKamina

MethodistU

niversityinthe

Republic

oftheCongo.

Hewasadelegate

fromthe

North

Katanga

Conference.

“Theprayers

andgifts

ofthe

peoplewhocallthem

-selves

United

Methodist,

giventobuild

andsupport

Africa

University,have

changedmylife

andthatof

thousandsofA

fricanyoung

people,”Muyom

bosaid

toapplause

fromthe

delegates.“Iam

butonepiece

ofthedream

,”hedeclared.

Bishop

Marcus

Matthew

s,vice

chairofthe

university’sboard

ofdirectors,said,“Africa

University

isone

ofthe

mostsignificantthings

ourdenom

inationhas

doneinthe

past20years.”

Headded,

“Theuniversity

iswhatunites

usasUnited

Methodists,

preparingleaders

forAfrica

andthe

world.”

Theuniversity,M

atthews

continued,offersthe

denomi-

nationamodelofdiverse

peoplescom

ingtogether.

“Africa

University

hasshow

nhow

adiverse

community

canbreak

downwalls

between

peopleand

countries.Theuni-

versitymodels

whatitm

eansto

beincom

munity.T

hechurch

canlearn

fromthe

university’sexperience,”

hesaid.

—Stephen

Drachler

isa

communications

consultantwith

theAUDevelopm

entOffice

AU

alumnifrom

Angola,D

RC,M

ozambique

andN

igeria,representingthe

1994

pioneergraduating

classthrough

theclass

of2010,served

astranslators

andstaff

atG

C2012

Andra Stevens Africa

University:

AUniversity

forUnited

Meth

odists

around

theWorld

Inthisissue:

Sum

mer

2012

Summer 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.

600312/50M

BillandDebbiIwighave

adeepheritage,both

havingbeenbornand

rearedintheMidwest.Bill

grewuponadairyfarm

ownedandoperatedbyhis

fatherandunclesand

locatednearTopeka,Kan.

Herehelearnedtoappre-

ciatehardworkanda

supportiveextendedfamily.

Debbigrewupprimarilyin

KansasandMissouri,

developinganadventurous

spiritfromherfamily’s

frequentmoves.

Educationwasaninte-

gralpartoftheiryoung

adultyears.BillandDebbi

metwhilestudentsat

BakerUniversity,Baldwin

City,Kan.Bothgraduated

withdegreesinmathe-

matics.

Subsequently,Billearned

hismaster’sdegreeinstatis-

ticsfrom

TexasA&M

University,andDebbi

completedhermaster’sin

businessadministrationat

theUniversityof

Nebraska–Lincoln.

BillandDebbimarriedin

1975andlivedinLincoln,

Neb.,fortwoyearsbefore

beingtransferredto

Washington,D.C.,sothat

Billcouldbeclosertohis

placeofemploymentwith

theNationalAgricultural

StatisticsServiceoftheU.S.

DepartmentofAgriculture.

Formorethan37years,Bill

hasservedtheAmerican

publicthroughthisagency.

Debbirecentlyretiredafter

nineyearsasCFO

for

ProjectHOPE,aninterna-

tionalhealtheducationand

humanitarianassistance

organization.Thiswas

precededbya20-year

careerwithMarriottInter-

nationalinvariousfinancial

andmanagementpositions.

DebbiandBillsaidthat

thesejobopportunitiesonly

occurredbecauseoftheir

solideducational

background.Theywantto

makethissameopportunity

availabletoothers.

BillgrewupinThe

EvangelicalUnited

BrethrenChurchand

DebbiinTheMethodist

Church.Christianfaith

andchurchlifehavealways

beenimportantaspectsof

theirlives.Theyhavebeen

activelyinvolvedinthe

ministryprogramsof

AnnandaleUnitedMetho-

distChurch(Va.)forthe

last27years.

BillandDebbimade

theirconnectionwith

AfricaUniversitythrough

theirlocalchurchand

throughoneoftheirclose

friends,theRev.F.Lloyd

Rollins.Rollins’senthu-

siasmwasinfectious.In

2002,Debbitraveledto

AfricaUniversitywitha

smallgroupledbyRollins.

ThiswasDebbi’sfirsttrip

tothecontinentofAfrica,

anditmadealasting

impressionuponher.She

wasalsoveryimpressedby

whatAfricaUniversityhad

accomplishedinonly10

shortyears.

Thisnewuniversity

quicklycapturedtheIwigs’

imagination.“Webelieve

thateducationcanbreak

downbarriers,andwe

lovedtheideaofaplacein

Africawherestudentscould

comefromalloverthecon-

tinenttoreceiveanedu-

cationgroundedinChris-

tianvalues,”theyshared.

BillandDebbihavenot

onlybeengenerousannual

supportersofAfrica

Universitybuttheyhave

alsoincludedtheuniversity

intheirestateplans.They

plantocelebrateAfrica

University’s20thanni-

versaryoncampuswitha

groupledbyRollins.

—ElaineJenkins,

AfricaUniversity

DevelopmentOffice

AfricaUniversity:AUniversityforUnited

MethodistsaroundtheWorld

Step

hen

Dra

chle

rAUgraduatesserveasdelegates,translatorsandstaffpersonsatGC2012.

UMCAffirmsandReinvestsinAU

Andra

Stev

ens

TheUnitedMethodistChurch’sapprovalofanew,lowerbudgetfor2013-

2016presentsaseriousfundingchallengeforAfricaUniversity.

Four2012GraduatesSelected

asGBGM

MissionInterns

Andra

Stev

ens

LiberiangraduateenterstrainingforserviceasaGBGMmissionintern.

AfricaUniversityGradsEnrich

Communities

Andra

Stev

ens

IntheDemocraticRepublicofCongo,theworkandcommunity-outreach

effortsofalumnimakeanimpact.

BreakingDownBarriersthrough

Education

Elai

ne

Jenki

ns

BillandDebbiIwigmadetheirconnectionwithAfricaUniversitythrough

theirlocalchurch.

Bill

and

Deb

biIw

ig

Brea

king

Dow

nBa

rrie

rsth

roug

hEd

ucat

ion

Stephen Drachler

Africa University’sexpanding influence acrossAfrica and throughout TheUnited Methodist Churchshowed throughout the 2012United Methodist GeneralConference in Tampa, Fla.The official parts – the

colorful garb and inspirationalsinging of the university’srenowned choir and thecelebration of the university’s20th anniversary — wereimpressive and warmly greetedby the nearly 1,000 delegatesfrom around the world.But more important, and

woven deeply into the fabric ofthe conference, were the contri-butions of Africa Universitygraduates. Some were delegatesand alternate delegates to theassembly that met from April24 to May 5 in the TampaConvention Center. AU gradu-ates served as chairpersons ofdelegations, officers of legisla-tive committees, presenters of

reportsto the conference, translatorsand staff persons.The Rev. Dr. Laishi Bwalya

of Zambia, who earned under-graduate and master’s degreesin theology at AU, was electedto chair the influential Legisla-tive Committee on Disciple-ship. He also headed theZambia Provisional Confer-ence’s delegation to the confer-ence. Another AU graduate,the Rev. Levson Ion Mhone,who received a bachelor ofdivinity degree in 1997, headedthe Malawi Missionary Confer-ence delegation.The Rev. Guy Mande

Muyombo, awarded abachelor of divinity degree in2006 and a master’s of peaceand governance in 2008,represented the more than4,000 students who havegraduated over the past 20years as he offered his testi-mony to the conference.“Thank you for living out a

powerful and transforminggospel in a ministry calledAfrica University,” said

Muyombo, who is presidentof the recently openedKamina Methodist Universityin the Republic of the Congo.He was a delegate from theNorth Katanga Conference.“The prayers and gifts of

the people who call them-selves United Methodist,given to build and supportAfrica University, havechanged my life and that ofthousands of African youngpeople,” Muyombo said toapplause from the delegates.“I am but one piece of the

dream,” he declared.Bishop Marcus Matthews,

vice chair of the university’sboard of directors, said,“Africa University is one ofthe most significant things ourdenomination has done in thepast 20 years.” He added,“The university is what unitesus as United Methodists,preparing leaders for Africaand the world.”The university, Matthews

continued, offers the denomi-nation a model of diversepeoples coming together.“Africa University has shownhow a diverse community canbreak down walls betweenpeople and countries. The uni-versity models what it means tobe in community. The churchcan learn from the university’sexperience,” he said.

—Stephen Drachler is acommunications consultant with

the AU Development Office

AU alumni from Angola, DRC, Mozambique and Nigeria, representing the 1994pioneer graduating class through the class of 2010, served as translators andstaff at GC2012

Andra

Stev

ens

Africa University: A Universityfor United Methodists aroundthe World

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

Andra StevensIn June, Africa University’s

18th graduation ceremonymarked the midpoint of a year-long celebration of its 20thanniversary. More than 380young people, filled with thehopefulness of new beginnings,received their degree certificateson the campus on June 9.The class of 2012 included

young women and men from20 African countries. Amongthese graduates was a youngman, Christian Zigbuo, whocompleted a four-year degree incomputer information systems,thanks to direct scholarship

contributions from the IndianaAnnual Conference.“I feel that I have to do

something to pay back what hasbeen done for me,” said Zigbuo.“I think that the best means isto give myself into missionservice and let God use me.”In May, Zigbuo, 30, was

accepted into the Young AdultMissionary program of TheUnited Methodist Church.Administered by the GeneralBoard of Global Ministries, theprogram equips young people toserve in diverse situations.“Sometimes persons talk

about the ‘return’ they get for aninvestment in education,” saidRuth Ellen Stone, a member ofIndiana’s Africa UniversityCommittee and of the AUAdvisory Development Commit-tee. “This is an enormous andrapid one. We send congratu-lations to Christian and the othergraduates and look forward tohearing about his experience,wherever he is assigned to serve.”Zigbuo survived years of

upheaval due to war anddisplacement before enrolling atAfrica University. He lost hismother at age 6 and was raisedby an older sister for a time.Forced to flee Liberia in fear ofhis life, Zigbuo spent much ofhis childhood as a refugee in theIvory Coast.When he returned to Liberia

in 1999, his father was dead andthe fighting had claimed thelives of a brother and twosisters. But the fragile cease-firein Liberia did not hold. In 2002,Zigbuo was forced to flee again,this time to Ghana. Throughoutit all, Zigbuo said he prayed forand dreamed of a better future.“I’m very grateful to God for

bringing me so far; especiallylooking at my background andseeing where I am today, God hastruly answered my prayers,” saidZigbuo. “Having graduated fromAU, I can say that the dream isalive for me. AU has connected

Zigbuo with Indiana mission teammember Mary Beth Byrne inZimbabwe last November

Africa University Grads Enrich Communities

Andra StevensIn the Democratic Republic of

the Congo, a country rich inresources but hampered by hur-dles, Africa University graduatesare making a significant difference.Gustav Kabamba is an

example. He earned a master’sdegree in public health at AfricaUniversity in 2008. Under theTenke Fungurume Mine’scommunity-investment program,Kabamba strives to reduce thehealth challenges confronting therapidly growing populationsurrounding the mine. Prioritiesinclude vaccinating againstmeasles, reducing malaria andHIV/AIDS infection, andproviding clean water.“We’re grateful for what the

church has done for us,” saidKabamba. “We want to changethings, to improve situations.”The DRC is enormous, almost

a million square miles, andmineral-rich. Diamonds, copper,coffee, cobalt and crude oil are itsmajor exports. It has more than308,000 square miles of arableland, good climatic conditionsand ample water resources.Yet in 2011, the DRC ranked

last in the United Nations

Human Development Indexrankings. In an assessment ofhealth, education, income,gender inequality and multi-dimensional poverty, the U.N.found that the vast majority ofthe DRC’s 67.7 million peopleface major gaps in well-beingand life opportunities.“The critical task of graduates,

these persons with vital knowl-edge and professional skills, is touplift communities,” said ThérèseLukenge Kapwibwe, a UnitedMethodist and minister of minesfor the province of Katanga.“This is what our people

desperately need and arelooking for from us.“Having been educated

outside of the country, theybring back new ideas, familiaritywith new technology and differ-ences in attitude that are helpingus confront many challenges,”she said.More than a dozen Africa

University graduates are valuedemployees at TFM. As a group,these alumni pay school fees forabout 90 children, helped tofund construction of a churchbuilding and started a prayergroup for the mainly malepopulation at the mine.What drives their community –

outreach efforts? Freddy KyoniNday, an agriculture graduate,credits the spiritual life on theAfrica University campus.“Our vision is to contribute so

that people move forward withthe word of God being part oftheir lives and decisions,” saidNday. “That way there will bepeace and we will develop as weshould, on the resources base ofour country.”

—Andra Stevens, AfricaUniversity Development Office

UMC Affirms and Reinvests in AU

Four Graduates Selected as GBGM MissionInterns

Andra

Stev

ens

Andra StevensAfrica University is moving

forward into the next quadren-nium with the continuing invest-ment of The United MethodistChurch, though at a lower levelthan it has had up to now.In May, the General Confer-

ence recommitted itself to theinstitution with the approval ofthe Africa University Fund(AUF) apportionment for 2013-16. The delegates approved anoverall budget for the church of$603.1 million for 2013-16, whichincludes the AUF and six othergeneral church funds.However, the new budget is

lower than it was for 2009-12,due to an across-the-board reduc-tion in spending of just over 6percent. For the Africa University

Fund, that works out to a cut infunding of almost $800,000 overthe four-year period.“It’s a big hit to our budget,”

says James H. Salley, the uni-versity’s associate vice chancellorfor institutional advancement.“For AU, losing $800,000 willhave a major impact on ourability to provide financial aid andscholarships for students andmeet operational costs.”Salley notes that when the

decrease in apportionmentfunding to Africa Universitycomes into effect in January 2013,it will make the institution’s finan-cial situation even tighter.“It means that at a time when

we are challenged to put morepeople in school, we will havefewer resources available for

operating and for supportingstudents,” says Salley. “It reallyboils down to having to try tofind resources from elsewhere inorder to maintain the currentenrollment and take care of theday-to-day cost of operations. Wehave to make it up somehow.”—Andra Stevens is director of

communications, Africa UniversityDevelopment Office

Students in classroom lab at AU

Andra

Stev

ens

continued on next page

meto so many people and made mewho God wants me to be.”Zigbuo is one of four Africa

University graduates selected to

train as mission interns. AlbertOtshudi, Jacques Kambol andRachel Faida Bahati, all fromthe Democratic Republic of theCongo, are also in the program.Africa University’s alumni now

number close to 4,500, and theyare at work in communitiesacross the continent.

—Andra Stevens, AfricaUniversity Development Office

continued from previous page

Freddy Kyoni Nday and colleagues look at building plans for the new school site

Nine of the AU graduates who work for TFM

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

Andra StevensIn June, Africa University’s

18th graduation ceremonymarked the midpoint of a year-long celebration of its 20thanniversary. More than 380young people, filled with thehopefulness of new beginnings,received their degree certificateson the campus on June 9.The class of 2012 included

young women and men from20 African countries. Amongthese graduates was a youngman, Christian Zigbuo, whocompleted a four-year degree incomputer information systems,thanks to direct scholarship

contributions from the IndianaAnnual Conference.“I feel that I have to do

something to pay back what hasbeen done for me,” said Zigbuo.“I think that the best means isto give myself into missionservice and let God use me.”In May, Zigbuo, 30, was

accepted into the Young AdultMissionary program of TheUnited Methodist Church.Administered by the GeneralBoard of Global Ministries, theprogram equips young people toserve in diverse situations.“Sometimes persons talk

about the ‘return’ they get for aninvestment in education,” saidRuth Ellen Stone, a member ofIndiana’s Africa UniversityCommittee and of the AUAdvisory Development Commit-tee. “This is an enormous andrapid one. We send congratu-lations to Christian and the othergraduates and look forward tohearing about his experience,wherever he is assigned to serve.”Zigbuo survived years of

upheaval due to war anddisplacement before enrolling atAfrica University. He lost hismother at age 6 and was raisedby an older sister for a time.Forced to flee Liberia in fear ofhis life, Zigbuo spent much ofhis childhood as a refugee in theIvory Coast.When he returned to Liberia

in 1999, his father was dead andthe fighting had claimed thelives of a brother and twosisters. But the fragile cease-firein Liberia did not hold. In 2002,Zigbuo was forced to flee again,this time to Ghana. Throughoutit all, Zigbuo said he prayed forand dreamed of a better future.“I’m very grateful to God for

bringing me so far; especiallylooking at my background andseeing where I am today, God hastruly answered my prayers,” saidZigbuo. “Having graduated fromAU, I can say that the dream isalive for me. AU has connected

Zigbuo with Indiana mission teammember Mary Beth Byrne inZimbabwe last November

Africa University Grads Enrich Communities

Andra StevensIn the Democratic Republic of

the Congo, a country rich inresources but hampered by hur-dles, Africa University graduatesare making a significant difference.Gustav Kabamba is an

example. He earned a master’sdegree in public health at AfricaUniversity in 2008. Under theTenke Fungurume Mine’scommunity-investment program,Kabamba strives to reduce thehealth challenges confronting therapidly growing populationsurrounding the mine. Prioritiesinclude vaccinating againstmeasles, reducing malaria andHIV/AIDS infection, andproviding clean water.“We’re grateful for what the

church has done for us,” saidKabamba. “We want to changethings, to improve situations.”The DRC is enormous, almost

a million square miles, andmineral-rich. Diamonds, copper,coffee, cobalt and crude oil are itsmajor exports. It has more than308,000 square miles of arableland, good climatic conditionsand ample water resources.Yet in 2011, the DRC ranked

last in the United Nations

Human Development Indexrankings. In an assessment ofhealth, education, income,gender inequality and multi-dimensional poverty, the U.N.found that the vast majority ofthe DRC’s 67.7 million peopleface major gaps in well-beingand life opportunities.“The critical task of graduates,

these persons with vital knowl-edge and professional skills, is touplift communities,” said ThérèseLukenge Kapwibwe, a UnitedMethodist and minister of minesfor the province of Katanga.“This is what our people

desperately need and arelooking for from us.“Having been educated

outside of the country, theybring back new ideas, familiaritywith new technology and differ-ences in attitude that are helpingus confront many challenges,”she said.More than a dozen Africa

University graduates are valuedemployees at TFM. As a group,these alumni pay school fees forabout 90 children, helped tofund construction of a churchbuilding and started a prayergroup for the mainly malepopulation at the mine.What drives their community –

outreach efforts? Freddy KyoniNday, an agriculture graduate,credits the spiritual life on theAfrica University campus.“Our vision is to contribute so

that people move forward withthe word of God being part oftheir lives and decisions,” saidNday. “That way there will bepeace and we will develop as weshould, on the resources base ofour country.”

—Andra Stevens, AfricaUniversity Development Office

UMC Affirms and Reinvests in AU

Four Graduates Selected as GBGM MissionInterns

Andra

Stev

ens

Andra StevensAfrica University is moving

forward into the next quadren-nium with the continuing invest-ment of The United MethodistChurch, though at a lower levelthan it has had up to now.In May, the General Confer-

ence recommitted itself to theinstitution with the approval ofthe Africa University Fund(AUF) apportionment for 2013-16. The delegates approved anoverall budget for the church of$603.1 million for 2013-16, whichincludes the AUF and six othergeneral church funds.However, the new budget is

lower than it was for 2009-12,due to an across-the-board reduc-tion in spending of just over 6percent. For the Africa University

Fund, that works out to a cut infunding of almost $800,000 overthe four-year period.“It’s a big hit to our budget,”

says James H. Salley, the uni-versity’s associate vice chancellorfor institutional advancement.“For AU, losing $800,000 willhave a major impact on ourability to provide financial aid andscholarships for students andmeet operational costs.”Salley notes that when the

decrease in apportionmentfunding to Africa Universitycomes into effect in January 2013,it will make the institution’s finan-cial situation even tighter.“It means that at a time when

we are challenged to put morepeople in school, we will havefewer resources available for

operating and for supportingstudents,” says Salley. “It reallyboils down to having to try tofind resources from elsewhere inorder to maintain the currentenrollment and take care of theday-to-day cost of operations. Wehave to make it up somehow.”—Andra Stevens is director of

communications, Africa UniversityDevelopment Office

Students in classroom lab at AU

Andra

Stev

ens

continued on next page

meto so many people and made mewho God wants me to be.”Zigbuo is one of four Africa

University graduates selected to

train as mission interns. AlbertOtshudi, Jacques Kambol andRachel Faida Bahati, all fromthe Democratic Republic of theCongo, are also in the program.Africa University’s alumni now

number close to 4,500, and theyare at work in communitiesacross the continent.

—Andra Stevens, AfricaUniversity Development Office

continued from previous page

Freddy Kyoni Nday and colleagues look at building plans for the new school site

Nine of the AU graduates who work for TFM

In this issue:

Summer 2012

Summ

er2012

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

fricancontinent,established

byaction

ofthe

GeneralC

onference.•

AfricaU

niversityoffers

bachelor’sand

master’s

degreeprogram

sin

sixfaculties

oflearning:agriculture

andnaturalresources,education,health

sciences,humanities

andsocialsciences,m

anage-m

entandadm

inistrationand

theology.TheInstitute

ofPeace,Leadershipand

Governance

offerspostgraduate

diplomas

andm

aster’sprogram

s.

600312/50M

Bill and Debbi Iwig havea deep heritage, bothhaving been born andreared in the Midwest. Billgrew up on a dairy farmowned and operated by hisfather and uncles andlocated near Topeka, Kan.Here he learned to appre-ciate hard work and asupportive extended family.Debbi grew up primarily inKansas and Missouri,developing an adventurousspirit from her family’sfrequent moves.Education was an inte-

gral part of their youngadult years. Bill and Debbimet while students atBaker University, BaldwinCity, Kan. Both graduatedwith degrees in mathe-matics.Subsequently, Bill earned

his master’s degree in statis-tics from Texas A&MUniversity, and Debbicompleted her master’s inbusiness administration atthe University ofNebraska–Lincoln.

Bill and Debbi married in1975 and lived in Lincoln,Neb., for two years beforebeing transferred toWashington, D.C., so thatBill could be closer to hisplace of employment withthe National AgriculturalStatistics Service of the U.S.Department of Agriculture.For more than 37 years, Billhas served the Americanpublic through this agency.Debbi recently retired afternine years as CFO forProject HOPE, an interna-tional health education andhumanitarian assistanceorganization. This waspreceded by a 20-yearcareer with Marriott Inter-national in various financialand management positions.Debbi and Bill said thatthese job opportunities onlyoccurred because of theirsolid educationalbackground. They want tomake this same opportunityavailable to others.Bill grew up in The

Evangelical UnitedBrethren Church andDebbi in The MethodistChurch. Christian faithand church life have alwaysbeen important aspects oftheir lives. They have beenactively involved in theministry programs ofAnnandale United Metho-dist Church (Va.) for thelast 27 years.

Bill and Debbi madetheir connection withAfrica University throughtheir local church andthrough one of their closefriends, the Rev. F. LloydRollins. Rollins’s enthu-siasm was infectious. In2002, Debbi traveled toAfrica University with asmall group led by Rollins.This was Debbi’s first tripto the continent of Africa,and it made a lastingimpression upon her. Shewas also very impressed bywhat Africa University hadaccomplished in only 10short years.This new university

quickly captured the Iwigs’imagination. “We believethat education can breakdown barriers, and weloved the idea of a place inAfrica where students couldcome from all over the con-tinent to receive an edu-cation grounded in Chris-tian values,” they shared.Bill and Debbi have not

only been generous annualsupporters of AfricaUniversity but they havealso included the universityin their estate plans. Theyplan to celebrate AfricaUniversity’s 20th anni-versary on campus with agroup led by Rollins.

—Elaine Jenkins,Africa University

Development Office

Africa University: A University for UnitedMethodists around the WorldStephen DrachlerAU graduates serve as delegates, translators and staff persons at GC2012.

UMC Affirms and Reinvests in AUAndra StevensThe United Methodist Church’s approval of a new, lower budget for 2013-2016 presents a serious funding challenge for Africa University.

Four 2012 Graduates Selected as GBGMMission InternsAndra StevensLiberian graduate enters training for service as a GBGM mission intern.

Africa University Grads EnrichCommunitiesAndra StevensIn the Democratic Republic of Congo, the work and community-outreachefforts of alumni make an impact.

Breaking Down Barriers throughEducationElaine JenkinsBill and Debbi Iwig made their connection with Africa University throughtheir local church.

Bill and Debbi Iwig

Breaking Down Barriers throughEducation

Stephen

Drach

ler

Africa

University’s

expandinginfluence

acrossAfrica

andthroughoutT

heUnited

MethodistC

hurchshow

edthroughoutthe

2012United

MethodistG

eneralConference

inTam

pa,Fla.Theofficialparts

–the

colorfulgarband

inspirationalsinging

oftheuniversity’s

renowned

choirand

thecelebration

oftheuniversity’s

20thanniversary

—were

impressive

andwarm

lygreeted

bythe

nearly1,000

delegatesfrom

aroundthe

world.

Butmore

important,and

woven

deeplyinto

thefabric

ofthe

conference,werethe

contri-butions

ofAfrica

University

graduates.Someweredelegates

andalternate

delegatestothe

assembly

thatmetfrom

April

24toMay5inthe

Tampa

Convention

Center.A

Ugradu-

atesserved

aschairpersons

ofdelegations,officers

oflegisla-tive

committees,presenters

of

reportstothe

conference,translatorsand

staffpersons.TheRev.D

r.LaishiBwalya

ofZambia,w

hoearned

under-graduate

andmaster’s

degreesintheology

atAU,waselected

tochair

theinfluentialLegisla-

tiveCommittee

onDisciple-

ship.Healso

headedthe

Zambia

ProvisionalConfer-

ence’sdelegation

tothe

confer-ence.A

notherAUgraduate,

theRev.Levson

IonMhone,

whoreceived

abachelor

ofdivinity

degreein1997,headed

theMalaw

iMissionary

Confer-

encedelegation.

TheRev.G

uyMande

Muyom

bo,awarded

abachelor

ofdivinity

degreein

2006and

amaster’s

ofpeace

andgovernance

in2008,

representedthe

more

than4,000

studentswhohave

graduatedover

thepast

20years

asheoffered

histesti-

mony

tothe

conference.“Thank

youfor

livingouta

powerfuland

transforming

gospelinaministry

calledAfrica

University,”

said

Muyom

bo,whoispresident

oftherecently

openedKamina

MethodistU

niversityinthe

Republic

oftheCongo.

Hewasadelegate

fromthe

North

Katanga

Conference.

“Theprayers

andgifts

ofthe

peoplewhocallthem

-selves

United

Methodist,

giventobuild

andsupport

Africa

University,have

changedmylife

andthatof

thousandsofA

fricanyoung

people,”Muyom

bosaid

toapplause

fromthe

delegates.“Iam

butonepiece

ofthedream

,”hedeclared.

Bishop

Marcus

Matthew

s,vice

chairofthe

university’sboard

ofdirectors,said,“Africa

University

isone

ofthe

mostsignificantthings

ourdenom

inationhas

doneinthe

past20years.”

Headded,

“Theuniversity

iswhatunites

usasUnited

Methodists,

preparingleaders

forAfrica

andthe

world.”

Theuniversity,M

atthews

continued,offersthe

denomi-

nationamodelofdiverse

peoplescom

ingtogether.

“Africa

University

hasshow

nhow

adiverse

community

canbreak

downwalls

between

peopleand

countries.Theuni-

versitymodels

whatitm

eansto

beincom

munity.T

hechurch

canlearn

fromthe

university’sexperience,”

hesaid.

—Stephen

Drachler

isa

communications

consultantwith

theAUDevelopm

entOffice

AU

alumnifrom

Angola,D

RC,M

ozambique

andN

igeria,representingthe

1994

pioneergraduating

classthrough

theclass

of2010,served

astranslators

andstaff

atG

C2012

Andra Stevens Africa

University:

AUniversity

forUnited

Meth

odists

around

theWorld