The communications training in October marked the first time United Methodist Communications — the agency that includes UM News and Connectional Giving — brought together communications staff from across the African continent in almost 20 years.
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The regionalization training that immediately followed in October came about through a collaboration of the communications agency, the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table, a leadership body that coordinates the denomination’s ministries and resources.
More than 80 African United Methodist communicators and other church leaders attended the two sessions. They spoke of how the training would help them tell the good news of the denomination.
Francis Nkhoma, who heads communications and marketing for the Malawi Conference, said that the training helped him recognize he is not alone as he strives to share the church’s story.
“The interaction that I’ve had, especially with the UMCom staff, and the support that they have given, put me in a place whereby I know that I am with family as united as we are in The United Methodist Church,” he said. “I am connected now.”
Esdras Rakotoarivony is a communicator forthe Madagascar Mission Field, the most recent expansion of The United Methodist Church.
He said through an interpreter that the training sessions made him feel like he is also part of a “grand family.”
He said he was grateful to be part of the conversation even though the United Methodist presence in Madagascar is just starting.
Jennifer Rodia, chief communications officer for United Methodist Communications, said that sense of connection and exchange of ideas is precisely why United Methodist Communications organized the communications training and helped with the regionalization portion.
“Effective communications are vital to the work of the church,” she said. “And so UMCom envisioned this conference as a time for communicators from across the continent of Africa to come together to learn, exchange ideas, inform strategies and strengthen their relationships across episcopal areas.”
story by Heather Hahn, assistant news editor for UM News. Matt Crum of United Methodist Communications contributed to this story.
The World Service Fund provides basic financial support to program-related general agencies, which are especially important to the common vision, mission, and ministry of The United Methodist Church. Through World Service funding, agencies support annual conferences and local congregations in living out God’s mission for the worldwide Church. General agencies also provide essential services and ministries beyond the scope of individual local congregations and annual conferences through services and ministries that are highly focused, flexible, and capable of rapid response.
