A Moment for Mission
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" —Psalm 27:1, NRSV
At Africa University, Pierre T. Omadjela recalled, "I was being formed to be a leader. I was learning how to lead; meanwhile, I was leading."
He honed those skills in an intensive English class. "I was the class representative in a class of 96 students from five countries," he said. "I was able to organize, for the first time, an intensive English church service." Omadjela served as a subwarden for master's students and as student coordinator for the Africa University choir.
"I did not only study how to lead," he said, "but I had time to practice. My bishop heard about all those responsibilities at Africa University. He decided to give me a job in the church."
In September 2012, when Omadjela was in his last semester of the MBA program, Bishop David K. Yemba appointed him director of communications and development for the Central Congo Episcopal Area.
Omadjela credits Africa University with awarding him much more than a degree. "I have seen love in action," he said. "I promise to do the same to other people whenever I am in a position to do so. I … promise to serve the church that gave me a scholarship to go to AU. I am a changed person after going to AU."
Next on Omadjela's agenda is earning a doctoral degree. "I dream to teach at Africa University," he explained.
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, our light and salvation, enfold us so that as we face an uncertain future, we know you will sustain us. Thank you for Africa University's ministry. In your name, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Third Sunday after Epiphany Sunday — God of light and love, we have in recent weeks sung our songs announcing the birth of our Savior. We have remembered Christ's baptism and our own. We have acknowledged the light that came into the world though Christ, and now it is time to hear Jesus' call to follow. He calls us to follow not just when it fits our schedule, not just when it doesn't mean giving up something else, and not just when it is safe. We offer these gifts to you as a token, knowing that to truly follow we need to let go of all that calls us in a different direction. Help us to be faithful in following. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. (Matthew 4:12-23)
Newsletter Nugget
Africa University alumnus Pierre T. Omadjela directs communications and development for the Central Congo Episcopal Area and serves as a field representative of United Methodist Communications in the Congo Central Conference. He actively provides communications trainings for United Methodist directors of communication in Africa, especially in FrontlineSMS (text messaging) and Ushahidi Mapping.
Omadjela is an active member of the conference's United Methodist Young Adult Fellowship. Married and the father of two daughters and one son, he is a 2012 master of business administration graduate of Africa University. He also chairs the music and worship committee of the United Methodist International English Church.
Thousands of Africa University alumni like Omadjela reach their academic dreams and offer rich leadership for church and society. Guided by the faith, vision, commitment and action of United Methodists and supported by the church's Africa University Fund, AU has developed into a distinguished center of academic excellence and an institution of choice for leadership development in Africa. Thank you!