Two hurricanes, an oil spill and floods did not stop Louisiana United Methodists from investing $1 million in the ministry of Africa University. Conference leaders made a special push to deliver on the pledge of support for the university as part of their celebration of the institution's 25th anniversary.
Louisiana United Methodists are celebrating the successful completion of a $1 million campaign for Africa University. A June 9th presentation at the annual conference in Shreveport marked the close of an effort that began more than 11 years ago. The final installment on the conference's pledge, combined with interest income of $97,687.00 on previous installments, put the campaign over the top.
"This is an example of what happens when you persevere", said James H. Salley, African University's chief advancement officer. Salley thanked Bishop Cynthia Harvey ad the conference for remaining committed and generous in the face of numerous challenges. He highlighted the late Mrs. Nancy Carruth of Bunkie, LA and credited her leadership and friend-making work as foundational to the Louisiana Conference's love and ongoing, faithful support for the university.
The conference pledged the gift in 2004, under the leaderhip of Bishop William H. Hutchinson. Two devastating hurricanes – Katrina and Rita-forced Louisiana churches and communities to shift their foucs to rebuilding and recovery in 2005. Led by Bishop Cynthia Harvey, the conference reaffirmed its commitment in 2013 and outlined a plan to fulfill the pledge by 2018. Despite widespread destruction from flooding in 2016, gifts towards the pledge from the Louisiana Conference stood at 644,831 by January 2017.
Andra M. Stevens, Director, Communications, Africa University Development Office
A World Service Special Gift is a designated financial contribution made by an individual, local church, organization, district or annual conference to a project authorized as such by the Connectional Table. Current World Service Special Gifts projects include the Africa University Endowment Fund, the Leonard Perryman Communications Scholarship for Ethnic Minority Students, the Methodist Global Education Fund, the National Anti-Gambling Project and the Lay Missionary Planting Network.
