Campus ministry to be replanted at Africa University
Jan. 30, 2006
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.”
|
A UMNS photo courtesy of Matthew Oates The Revs. Glen and Lana Robyne and their children, Isaiah and Ella, are moving to Mutare, Zimbabwe, from West Lafayette, Ind.
|
The
Revs. Glen and Lana Robyne and their children, Isaiah and Ella, are
moving to Mutare, Zimbabwe, from West Lafayette, Ind. Glen and Lana will
help restart a Wesley Foundation campus ministry at the United
Methodist-related Africa University. A UMNS photo courtesy of Matthew
Oates. Photo #06-094. Accompanies UMNS story #055. 1/30/06 |
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.
|
|