Welcome to our Blog! What are the goals of "Africonnection"? To further the Kingdom. To help North American friends make a connection with the lives and experiences of their brothers and sisters in Africa. And to give North American friends an opportunity to partner with Africa Nazarene University as it supports the Kingdom through the Church of the Nazarene in Africa.

Mark and Nancy

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Nan's October and November Alumni Events


As coordinator of alumni activities at ANU, Nan oversaw two significant events in October and November. On Thursday, October 29th, the alumni presented a chapel. They shared with students--in ways no one else could do as well--the importance of making good use of their time at the University, On Sunday, November 1, Nancy and the alumni council sponsored the "Second Annual ANU Alumni Bash", this time held at Osiota ("Stone" in the Maasai language) located at the bridge on Maasai Lodge Road.


In fairly typical fashion, the event, scheduled for 1:30, began a bit late, but once it started, provided a mix of good food, lots of laughter, and stronger connections between the alumni and the University.

A survey distributed to the alumni showed that 97% of them (all but one) are employed--a wonderful blessing in a nation where jobs are hard to get. Also, 87% of alumni indicated that their ANU education had prepared them "better" or "much better" than their work colleagues from other universities. We're pleased at the success they are having and at their satisfaction with the education they received at ANU.

Manchester Trip

In mid-October, Mark took part in a week-long Manchester UK meeting of international graduate theological educators in the Church of the Nazarene.  There were representatives from Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological, NTC-Brisbane, Nazarene Theological Seminary in the US, Brazil Nazarene College in Campanos, Brazil; Seminary of the Americas in Central America; Korea Nazarene University; as well as NTC-Manchester.

Although he had met and spent time with several of these people before, Mark continues to be blessed and  impressed and "taught" bwith the godly witness of these people:

  • Dr. David McCullough, the current school principal of NTC-Manchester, served as the van driver for the group during the five days the team was there. He was gracious and patient with the group even though the time included NTC-Manchester graduation and the arrival of his board in two weeks!
  • Dr. Herbert McGonigle, a world-famous expert on John Wesley, is recovering from an illness, but Mark noticed what a wonderful, attentive listener he was, and how he made every person feel special.
  • Dr. Abraham Im, president of Korea Nazarene University, the largest school in the Nazarene system, was upbeat and inspiring in spite of recovering from the death of his wife just recently.
  • Dr. Ron Benefiel, the president of NTS, who had helped organize the meeting with Dr. Jerry Lambert, conveyed by his manner and his words that all members of the team were important and that no one institution was orchestrating the actions of the others.
  • Dr. San Young Lee(pictured), a second-generation Korean Nazarene with degrees from Princeton, Duke and Vanderbuilt, and academic dean at the Nazarene seminary in the Philippines, gave us an update on how the seminary became a place of refuge for up to 120 neighborhood people during recent storms and floods. In your prayers, it would be especially good to remember Dr. Lee and the faculty and staff at APNTS as they attempt to return to ordinary.
Some other highlights of the trip:
  • On Saturday, the group attended NTC-Manchester's graduation in the wonderful Whitworth Hall on the campus of the University of Manchester. Like alot of victorian-era buildings, it was built as an academic building but looks like the inside of a church: at the back and on the sides, 40-foot tall stained glass windows. Roof supported by heavy, dark oak beams. At the front, a two-story structure with choir loft and huge pipe organ above and seating area below.

On Sunday morning, the group attended the Longsight Church of the Nazarene in Manchester, and then had meetings Sunday afternoon and Monday.



On Tuesday, after the meetings had been concluded, the group drove two hours in the van to Epworth, and got to tour the second of two pastor's homes in which John Wesley was raised, St. ANdrews Anglican church where his father Samuel was pastor for 30 years, had lunch at the Red Lion Inn where Wesley had stayed as an adult, then visited the Wesley Memorial Chapel in downtown Epworth.Some additional pictures below.