Advocate Article - 11.19.04

DREAM ON

I read and re-read an article on Africa University by Dr. James H. Salley in the November/December 2004 Circuit Rider magazine.  Salley called Africa University, a United Methodist Related Institution, “School of Dreams.”  Wrote Salley, Africa University opened its doors in 1992 with 40 students and a small faculty with two emphases, Theology and Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Today, Africa University has surpassed many of its original goals.  For example, Africa University has constructed 32 modern buildings; two more have begun.  Two schools have grown to six.  Lecturers and staff have nearly reached 200.  In 1992, 40 students came from six African countries.  Today, 22 African countries have swelled the student population to 1282.  And the AU endowment has grown to 21 million dollars.  Last but certainly not least, the Zimbabwe Annual Conference offered an initial gift of 1546 acres of land.

Presently, 1328 graduates of this United Methodist Institution are transforming the world and their world.  According to Dr. Salley, “eighty per cent of the AU graduates are back home on the continent of Africa applying their knowledge where it’s needed the most…” Along with other United Methodists and God’s grace, you helped to make it happen.  Not only have your prayers, presence, gifts (apportionments plus special gifts) and service made disciples of Jesus Christ in Africa; it has spilled over into transformation of the cosmos.  Fulfillment of such a dream creates in me an emotional and cognitive response consistent with Proverbs 13:12.  (Read it in the RSV)   Of course, the work is not finished.  Whatever lies ahead, I say “Dream On.”  Here, “Dream On” is more than a trite phrase.  For Salley, Africa University is a positive response to naysayers after passage of the Africa Initiative by the 1988 General Conference who said “we’d never lay a brick, build a building, graduate a student, or make an impact on the continent.”  Sally went on to remark, “one high level United Methodist Church official said, “It will be just like pouring money down a rat hole."

When I shared the belief below with the Michigan Area the day of my Installation, were their doubters then or now saying, “Bishop, Dream On?"

“I am convinced that the seeds of new growth have already been planted in the Michigan Area.  I am convinced that God hath not limited our invitational and discipling power to a mere 174,000 members. I am convinced that the power and authority to make disciples of Jesus Christ thrives among the people of God.  In the midst of our so-called backsliding on membership, I’m reminded of the promise Christ made to his disciples prior to his Ascension, “And you shall receive power when the Holy Ghost shall come upon you. And you shall be my witnesses in Judea, Samaria, and (the Michigan Area) and to the end of the earth.” To test that out, we have to go fishing. God will do what God promises to do.”   

In view of no clear answers to the following questions: Do you not know that we are divided theologically?  Can you not read the statistics of our denomination?  The numbers are going down, down, down.  How can you remain so hope-filled about growing the church when certain members of the Council of Bishops where you hold your membership may not uphold certain parts of the Book of Discipline?  It’s simple. I believe God will do what he promises to do.  I will DREAM ON (Proverbs 13:12)

What is required is our faithfulness to the task.  If only a small percentage folks in pulpit and pew join me in planning the work and working the plan, I intend to press forward with the Great Commission as my guide and DREAM ON.