 Missioners of Hope gathered in front of Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation. Photo: Connie Nelson. |
KITWE, ZAMBIA (GBGM)--Africa's children will receive the 'second wave' of Missioners of Hope following the commissioning here of the 48 newest missionaries assigned exclusively to ministries with children across the continent.
The March 24 service was held at the United Church of Zambia, located on the campus of the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation, and was preceded with a cross-campus procession of brightly dressed Missioners of Hope, singing choirs, visiting dignitaries and worship leaders.
The new missionaries--who come from Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the United States--are assigned to church-related projects across the continent which directly benefit children, including educational programs, centers for orphans/vulnerable children, medical clinics and rehabilitation programs for children of war. They range in age from 18 to 60 and are assigned to terms of service from two to five years.
Launched in 1999 in response to the United Methodist Council of Bishops' appeal, "Hope For The Children of Africa," which seeks to rebuild church-related educational, medical and social facilities impacted by decades of war and civil unrest, the Missioners of Hope program's initial goal of 100 was exceeded with this commissioning.
The first 54 Missioners of Hope were commissioned here in July 1999, and in addition to being the first United Methodist missionaries commissioned outside of the United States, were the largest group ever commissioned at one time.
Representing eight annual conferences and autonomous churches in Africa and two U.S. annual conferences, the 46 Africans and two Americans were commissioned after completion of an intensive training which began Feb. 7 on the campus of the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation.
During the service, the Rev. John L. McCullough--Associate General Secretary of the Board's Mission Personnel Program Unit and author of the Missioners of Hope program--reminded the congregation of the conditions which face Africa, and particularly the children.
"Even as we gather here in this house of God on this day, receiving greetings from bishops all across this continent, we are saddened with a war in Angola; of floods in Mozambique; of religious conflict which may tear apart Nigeria; of people in the Sudan who have gone days--maybe weeks--without a meal," he said.
"These are the images that we must hold close to us as we think about the Missioners of Hope. Because in the midst of these types of scenarios, there are young children that are seeking to hold fast to life: to claim everything that God has for them and hopes for them. It is a struggle and they cannot do it alone," he continued.
The continued vision for the Missioners of Hope program, he said, is "about creating structures that help make life more meaningful. It is a vision of hope. It is about the vision and activity of God (for) each and every one of us who cries out. To use the gifts that God has given us to enable these children to embrace all the possibilities."
The Missioners of Hope, Rev. McCullough concluded, are "men and women who have dedicated their lives to God's children, not counting the cost, that these children might have the hand of fellowship, might know a sign of God, might feel a sense of care."
Guest preacher was Bishop Christopher Jokomo--episcopal leader of the Zimbabwe Area--who challenged those gathered to "look beyond the horizons of your village," citing the story of a blind man who first had to be led from his own community by Jesus to find healing. (Click here for sermon excerpts.)
Bishop Katembo Kainda, leader of United Methodists in the Southern Congo Area, presided during the commissioning, pronouncing the words of commissioning in French. Following the laying-on of hands and distribution of anchor-cross necklaces by GBGM mission personnel serving within the region, the Missioners of Hope were greeted with cheers, applause and the sounds of high-pitched 'ululations' (exclamations).
Worship leaders also included Zacharias Uqueio, a layman from Mozambique and director of the General Board of Global Ministries; Richard Williams, Assistant General Secretary, Mission Personnel Program Unit; Dr. Allan Kirton, Director, Mission Resource Center; Rev. Laurence Konmla Bropleh, Regional Executive for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mission Personnel Program Unit; and Rev. Kathleen Masters, GBGM missionary assigned to the Southern Congo Area.
A highlight of the service was the litany for the children of Africa, led by 13-year old Reagan Kalongo, a member of the Ndeke United Methodist Church in Kitwe.
The children's choirs from the District Orphanage and Vulnerable Children's program in Kitwe--including children who performed in sign-language--participated in the service. In addition, choirs from the Ndeke UMC and the Matero United Methodist Church in Lusaka sang.
For more information about the Missioners of Hope program, call the Mission Personnel Program Unit of the General Board of Global Ministries at 212/870-3660.
* The Rev. Connie Nelson is Executive Secretary, Mission Personnel Program Unit, General Board of Global Ministries.
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, New York, and Washington.