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• Rethink Church
• Global Health
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  • Our Work
    • Communications Training
  • Our Mission
  • Archived news stories
  • • A Prayer for Zimbabwe*
    • Adapted by Mark Conard from the Prayer “For Those Who Suffer,” The United Methodist Book of Worship # 546.

    • Lack of education plagues Mozambique economy
    • While the economy in Mozambique is improving, it's not quick enough for impoverished families looking for a sustainable income.

    • Community radio crusade renewed in U.S. Congress
    • “Radio of the people, for the people, by the people" is the goal of bills introduced in the U.S. Congress.

    • United Methodist radio back on the air in Liberia
    • United Methodists in the West African nation have a new FM radio station to help heal the war-torn country.

    • Zimbabwean ministries get boost in communications skills
    • United Methodist church workers hear challenge to tell stories of faith in their areas.

    • Communications commission meets in Zimbabwe
    • Twenty-nine members of the Commission on Communications are meeting in Africa Jan. 4-11, the first ever meeting outside the United States.

    • Africa University develops e-learning plans, officials say
    • Africa University is on an e-learning threshold to become the pan-African institution it was created to be, school officials told United Methodist bishops.

    • African United Methodists count on radio to reach masses
    • MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — On a vast continent where large regions are “off the grid” — inaccessible by Internet or telephone — African communicators are looking to one medium to help them connect United Methodist churches: Radio.

    • Analysis: Looking at community radio in Africa
    • Communication is a rare and precious resource in a land where phones lines don’t exist and no one delivers letters.

    • Africa University sees broader role as service provider
    • A training conference for United Methodist communicators is a sign of more events to come at the denomination's Africa University.

    • Conference trains communicators to tell Africa's stories
    • MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) -- For Marie Manisha, whose homeland of Burundi is still recovering from war, good communications is essential to life itself.

    • Mozambique struggles with communication issues

    • Bishop Joao Somane Machado and his staff know good communication saves lives.

    • Poor infrastructure stymies communications in Sierra Leone
    • It’s “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” that keeps the mail from being delivered in this African country.

    • Church in Zimbabwe far behind in communication

    • Gladman Makwenya is a young, enthusiastic communicator, ready to take on the challenges of spreading the news about the church in Zimbabwe with a pen and some loose recycled newsprint pages.

    • Initiative helps communicators build global network

    • Thirty-one representatives from 17 African countries will gather June 15-30 for an intense two-week course of study to build their skills as Christian communicators and help build a global network for the United Methodist Church.

       

    • Liberia Conference close to establishing radio station

    • Bishop John Innis is looking forward to being the first broadcaster on United Methodist radio in this war-torn country because he has good news to share.

    • African communicators meet, share ideas for future

    • Most United Methodist communicators in Africa work without access to a working landline phone, Internet, transportation and, in some cases, reliable electricity.

• Scholarships & Fellowships
• The Foundation for United Methodist Communications

CCCI: Our Work

Communications Centers in Africa, Europe and the Philippines Establishing communications centers in each of the districts in Africa has been the first phase of the Central Conference Communications Initiative. The creation of these centers addresses the need for communication among church leaders and members by providing computer, audio and video equipment. These tools can then convey lifesaving, life-changing information to those who have lived outside the scope of modern communications technology. To date, funds have been raised to establish 15 communications centers: Democratic Republic of Congo (South, Central, and North Katanga) Cote D’Ivoire Liberia Mozambique Sierra Leone South Africa Uganda (Kampala, Uganda and Yei, Southern Sudan) Zimbabwe (two centers; one for each conference) Angola (Eastern and Western) Nigeria Training Events Providing training for communicators and church leaders was and is essential for ensuring that equipment provided for these new communications centers would be effectively used, shared and maintained. The goal is to build a sustainable network of communications offices across Africa, Europe and the Philippines, allowing its local United Methodist churches to tell life-transforming stories to the people and to the global church. Learn about where these training events have been held Community Radio By establishing community radio stations, The United Methodist Church will become a greater resource to address ongoing social, spiritual, and health issues and provide vital information in times of crisis. Radio is a particularly effective method of communication in Africa, given that as many as 50% of people in the majority of countries are illiterate. Many people own and rely upon handheld radios, which permit collective listening and are compatible with the African tradition of oral communication. First radio station established in Liberia A 300-watt radio station was established at the Liberia Annual Conference headquarters and dedicated March 3, 2007. 80 hand-cranked radios have been given to rural people in the Kakata-Farmington River, Gbarnga and Kokoyah Districts in Liberia for information access. Future plans Over the next 4 years, we hope to establish 3 additional pilot radio stations and help ensure that these stations become self-sustaining. Finding money for taxes, salaries and maintenance are the main challenges for sustaining community-based radio. Related artilces United Methodist radio back on the air in Liberia Liberia Conference close to establishing radio station Analysis: Looking at community radio in Africa United Methodists count on radio to reach the masses Distance Learning Working in partnership with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, a distance learning network will be established to enhance the communication centers that have been created. These distance learning centers will use technology to create an effective and efficient communications network, linking United Methodists and Methodist churches, and delivering information on issues such as global health. The network will also connect United Methodist and Methodist-related institutions of higher learning, which will provide leadership development programs. Related articles Church in Zimbabwe far behind in communication Churches build communications centers around the globe Africa University develops e-learning plans, officials say Africa University to open Mozambique campus Commentary: Investing in life-sustaining education Distance Learning in Africa (Video story)