Delegates to consider mission strategies for Africa, Latin America
Delegates to consider mission strategies for Africa, Latin America
April 6, 2004
By United Methodist News Service
UMNS photo/Ray Buchanan, Stop Hunger Now
In
2000, the denomination's Council of Bishops initiated "Hope for the
Children of Africa" to help address critical human needs on the
continent.
In
2000, the denomination's Council of Bishops initiated "Hope for the
Children of Africa" to help address critical human needs on the
continent, as well as the needs of the church. A UMNS photo by Ray
Buchanan, Stop Hunger Now. Photo number 04-157, Accompanies UMNS #157,
4/7/04
In Angola, the United Methodist Church was the first denomination to establish schools for young people.
In
Honduras, 12 new United Methodist congregations were established during
the past four years. Other new Methodist congregations have been
developed in Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
To
continue such vital mission work, special programs for Africa and Latin
America and the Caribbean are being proposed to delegates at the 2004
United Methodist General Conference. The denomination's top legislative
body meets April 27-May 7 in Pittsburgh.
Recommended
by the General Council on Ministries, the programs have been endorsed
by others in the denomination, including directors of the United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries during their March 22-25 meeting.
Funding will be provided through the budgets of participating church
agencies.
The
"Holistic Strategy on Africa" focuses on the needs of the church in
sub-Saharan Africa. United Methodists are present in 21 countries south
of the Sahara Desert.
"United
Methodist disciples in sub-Saharan Africa are committed to and involved
in the evangelistic and humanitarian spectrum we identify with Wesleyan
spiritual holiness," according to the "Report and Recommendations for
Themes, Missional Priorities and Special Programs."
Recognizing
rapid membership growth as a blessing, the report also points out that
such growth "places heavy responsibility on the leadership of the
churches, increasing the need for trained leaders, clergy and laity. It
also requires increased activity to nurture members and empower them in
witness and outreach that now defines their discipleship," the report
said.
UMNS photo by Mike DuBose
The Nheweyembwa Orphan Trust cares for more than 900 children left orphaned by AIDS in Dandara, Zimbabwe.
The
Nheweyembwa Orphan Trust cares for more than 900 children left orphaned
by AIDS in Dandara, Zimbabwe. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. Photo number
04-156, Accompanies UMNS #157, 4/7/04
The
United Methodist legacy in Africa includes the establishment of primary
and secondary schools, seminaries, Bible colleges, hospitals and
clinics, as well as Africa University. In 2000, the denomination's
Council of Bishops initiated "Hope for the Children of Africa" to help
address critical human needs on the continent, as well as the needs of
the church.
Primary
goals of the Holistic Strategy on Africa are to assist the African
church in strengthening and expanding its witness and ministry and
strengthening connections among annual conferences of Africa, Europe and
the United States.
The
$35 million estimated cost of the special program for Africa for the
next four years would be funded from budgets of participating agencies.
Another $8 million in funding from agency budgets is requested for the "Holistic Strategy on Latin America and the Caribbean."
MARCHA,
the church's Hispanic/Latino caucus, is urging delegates to consider
mission programs that respond "to the growing number of impoverished
persons in the Caribbean and Latin America, with women and children
being the most affected."
Churches
in the regions serve as prophetic voices as well as advocates for
justice and the preservation of human rights, the caucus said. The
complex relations between the United States and Latin American/Caribbean
countries "demand a closer working relationship between the churches in
the United States with the churches in the Caribbean and Latin America
to amplify our effectiveness in our prophetic witness."
UMNS photo/Ray Buchanan, Stop Hunger Now
United
Methodist mission work in Africa includes the establishment of primary
and secondary schools, seminaries, Bible colleges, hospitals and
clinics.
United
Methodist mission work in Africa includes the establishment of primary
and secondary schools, seminaries, Bible colleges, hospitals and
clinics, as well as Africa University. A UMNS photo by Ray Buchanan,
Stop Hunger Now. Photo number 04-158, Accompanies UMNS #157, 4/7/04
Besides
poverty, other social concerns include the use of child labor; the
suffering caused by political and economic turmoil; and the treatment of
Afro-Latin, Afro-Caribbean and indigenous peoples.
"The
dethroning economic and political contexts increase the demand for
social assistance from the churches in the Latin America and Caribbean
region," the report said. "Regretfully, most churches are suffering
financial crises similar to those that their countries are experiencing.
For example, in Argentina, pastors' salaries are not paid in full, even
if they serve large congregations."
The
mission strategy calls for church agencies to coordinate their efforts
with the Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches of Latin America and
the Caribbean (CIEMAL), representing 19 countries; the Methodist Church
of the Caribbean and the Americas and other Methodist churches and
ecumenical organizations in the region.
News media can contact Linda Bloom at (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.