bishop's perspective:
Africa’s crucial moment:
How will we respond?
I am walking. I am walking on a spring day through a lovely neighborhood.
Birds are joyous. Lawns are lush. Dogwoods and tulips startle me with their
uncommon beauty. Homes are graciously recessed from the curbs. Life is
good and comfortable.
I am walking. And thinking. And reflecting. And remembering.
I am remembering that day in Zambia, when I walked through a drought-stricken village of dusty paths and mud huts. I remember the leper on the grass mat in her hut. I remember smoke rising from an open fire as the cook boiled cornmeal mush for the only meal of the day. Even the birds were absent in this hard place of existence. I remember meeting a man in the village that day. I was surprised that he spoke fluent English. He rode a bicycle – a symbol of affluence in this land. I would have expected to find him in the city, working for the government. I asked the man, "Who are you? What are you doing in this village?"
He told me, "I am a communist. I am dedicated to winning Africa for communism. We will bury Christianity." For a while I feared he might be successful, but communism has not triumphed in Africa.
I am walking. And thinking. I am thinking about Christianity growing at an amazing
pace throughout Africa. But the Muslim faith is also growing. Its proponents are
passionately vying for the minds and hearts of the African people.
This is a crucial moment in history. In 50 years Africa will be predominately Christian or Muslim. Africa's destiny rests in our hands. Will we provide the resources to offer the Christian faith?
Our Annual Conference offering goal this year is a very, very modest $125,000 for a Christian college, Kenya Methodist University. Eighty miles from where we are struggling to establish a university, Saudi Arabia is pouring millions of dollars into building a state-of-the-art university. There is a furious battle raging for the hearts and minds of African people. How will we respond? Will we one day hear our Lord say, "I was desperate for education, and you provided me a place to learn"?
Yes, I am walking through this marvelous community. But I am remembering Africa. And I am hearing God's yearning voice asking me – and all of us – to generously support Kenya Methodist University. It's our moment in history; we must seize it for Christ.
Dear God, move me from thinking and hearing and pondering and remembering
to generous giving. Amen.
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