For most United Methodist communicators, the day-to-day work involves sharing stories about what the church is doing — a baptism, new school or episcopal visit.
But for a growing number of graduates of the new strategic communications program offered by United Methodist Communications and Africa University, communication has become a matter of institutional — and sometimes human — survival: How do you inform a population caught between two front lines? How do you prevent a rumor from sparking a riot? How do you maintain trust when an epidemic is decimating a community?
Providing accurate, real-time information
In the Eastern Congo Episcopal Area where she has served as communications director for the past 10 years, Judith Osongo Yanga describes a harsh reality: an area of operation divided by war.
“I am in an area plagued by repeated wars and, at the moment, an area experiencing a health crisis due to the spread of the Ebola virus,” she said.
“As a church, we must expand our outreach efforts by using effective communication diplomacy to work in both areas without interference, because the population needs accurate, real-time information,” she said.
Communicating to make disciples
For Francis Nkhoma, director of conference communications for the episcopal region of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana, the training in Mutare was not his first. He had completed training with United Methodist Communications in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2018.
From this latest session, he has identified two concrete priorities: skills in artificial intelligence and crisis communication management.
Before the training, he said, his communication was more routine than strategic.
He said he would use his new skills “in all areas: local conflict, epidemics and areas of social advocacy and development.”
Equipped to respond
The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau has served the episcopal region of North Katanga for nine years as communications director and 14 years as a conference communicator. She also is a member of United Methodist Communications’ board. She said her long tenure has allowed her to gauge the importance of the training.
The challenge she faces in her own country has a specific name: “Officialdom, propaganda,” she said. The solution she’s drawn from her training boils down to a list of reflexes she now plans to apply systematically: “communicate ethically, fact check, be proactive, prepare for any crisis and build relationships with local media.”
Guiding calmly through crises
For the Rev. Filibus Bakari Auta, senior director of communications for the Nigeria Episcopal Area, which includes Cameroon and Senegal, the threat comes not from weapons but from screens.
“A major challenge for communicators in The United Methodist Church in Nigeria is the rapid spread of viral fake news and fabricated rumors,” he said, related to tensions and land disputes with the breakaway Global Methodist Church, which was launched by former United Methodists in 2022.
He said he will use what he learned during training to counter misinformation.
Responding responsibly in emergency situations
In the East Africa Episcopal Area, which covers Uganda, Sudan and South Sudan, Chrinore Ruremesha describes a region facing “conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, population displacement and other complex challenges.”
Having been in office for only nine months, the training he received in Mutare came at just the right time.
“This training equipped me with practical skills in crisis communication, ethical reporting, strategic storytelling and digital communication, which will help us convey accurate information, respond responsibly in emergency situations, protect the church’s reputation, and convey messages of hope and peace,” he said.
Building trust and strengthening unity
For Francisco Tivane, communications director for the Northern Mozambique Conference, the immediate challenge is not war but cultural and linguistic divides.
“A communication challenge I face at home is reaching people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, which can lead to misunderstandings and limit participation,” he said.
He said he will counter that with “clear language, translation of key messages, communication through multiple channels, encouraging feedback and working with local leaders to improve understanding, build trust and strengthen unity.”
Your Generous Support Helps Educate Africa
By supporting the Africa University Fund apportionment, you help provide financial support for the general operating expenses of Africa University. This university helps empower students from across the continent of Africa to give back to their individual countries on their return home. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Africa University Fund at 100 percent.
excerpt from a story by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News correspondent based in Congo.
This story shows the impact of the Africa University Fund—one of seven apportionment funds of The United Methodist Church—to equip new generations of leaders for the African continent. Your church’s giving supports Africa University in Zimbabwe, where students from across Africa receive higher education rooted in faith, excellence, and service. Together, we help shape leaders who transform their nations and communities.
When your church supports the Africa University Fund, you empower students to become changemakers grounded in hope and faith.
