by Elliott Wright

This resource outlines the topics, themes, and history of the Academies for Evangelization and Church Growth and offers details on how to participate and support these events. Image by: GBGM Administration The Rev. Kelvin Sauls says the fall '09 academies in Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone will take a "train the trainer" approach. African church leaders have selected the themes and emphases of the events. Image by: Cassandra M. Zampini Source: GBGM Administration

Evanston, Illinois, August 1, 2009--A renewed emphasis on evangelism and new church development is taking place across the global United Methodist Church.

A large gathering of US church developers in Evanston was the venue for announcing in this country the resumption of Academies for Evangelization and Church Growth in Africa.

"These academies will equip, empower, and strengthen new leaders" in the denomination's African regional conferences, according to the Rev. Kelvin Sauls, an executive with the General Board of Global Ministries.

Two academies are currently planned for the fall in:

• Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, September 25-28
• Freetown, Sierra Leone, October 2-5.

The first will be in French and the second in English.

Rev. Sauls announced the new educational initiative to the 2009 School of Congregational Development, which drew 600 participants to explore US opportunities for new church starts and congregational revitalization. The annual event is sponsored by Rev. Sauls' agency and the General Board of Discipleship.

While The United Methodist Church in the US currently has a declining membership, the denomination is growing in Africa.

The fall academies in Côte d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone will take a "train the trainer" approach. They build upon a series of 10 similar events held in various parts of Africa from 2000 through 2005.

Rev. Sauls indicated that African church leaders have selected the themes and emphases of the two academies, which will be open to bishops, district superintendents, university and college professors, clergy and lay leaders (men and women), and community leaders.

The themes include:

• The Gospel and conflict resolution
• The Gospel and poverty elimination
• The Gospel and the African Cultural Context
• The Gospel and women, with a focus on women as evangelists
• Evangelization, truth, justice, and reconciliation.

The approximate cost for each academy participant is $1,500, including travel,
room, and food. Individuals and congregations can support the academies through The Advance, the designated mission giving program of The United Methodist Church.

Give now to Academies for Evangelization and Church Growth, Advance #3020947, which equips lay and clergy for evangelization, church growth, and long-term holistic community impact.

Download PDF for more information: (4pp, 1001K)

Go to School of Congregational Development for more news and features.

Elliott Wright is the information officer of the General Board of Global Ministries.

	See Also... Topic: Conflict |  Education |  Evangelism |  GBGM events |  Global connections |  Poverty |  United Methodist Church |  Women |  Focus on Congregational Development |  Geographic Region: Cote d´Ivoire |  Sierra Leone |  Source: GBGM Mission News
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Date posted: Aug 01, 2009