from a report by the Rev. William E. Lovell
Ordained Class of 2007, Senegal United Methodist Church. Left to right: Dembo Diatte, Joseph Bleck, Antoine Ndecky, Jean Pierre Ndour, Dibor Fatou Ndour (Marie-Agnes), Jean Noel Diouf, Bishop Benjamin Boni, Leon MBu Kitete, Valentin Ilonga Bayemon, Jerome BakoWoman reporter asked why the UMC came to Senegal? Pastor Djungu answered and Bishop Boni also responded by saying, “A man by the name of Mamadou Djiaye invited the UMC to Senegal because he saw many of social concerns which the United Methodist were addressing.”
Another reporter asked if the church was growing and about relations with the Roman Catholics and other groups. Djungu said, “The first missionary couple came to Senegal in 1955. After two years they returned to America and Pastor Djungu’s family came in 1997 and have been here ever since.”
Bishop Boni spoke about the influence of Wesley from the 19th century. Bishop also explained the Wesleyan organizational system. Another reporter asked what is the difference between the UMC and other churches. He also asked how the UMC was formed. Bishop Boni responded by speaking about grace, salvation by faith, social service, the Bible, and faith for the whole person.
Another reporter asked about the number of persons to be ordained and the steps of beginning the UMC here. Djungu spoke of the beginning of house churches in 1998 and how that is done even today. Bishop Boni spoke about the number of persons to be ordained.
Another reporter spoke about the role of women in the church and asked about the Biblical reference for the ordination of women. Bishop Boni responded by talking about the women as resurrection witnesses. He said that Marie-Agnes was the first woman in all Christianity to be ordained in Senegal. He emphasized the responsibility of the pastor to work with all people. Bishop Boni continued to address the issue of women pastors.
Isaac spoke about the importance of training in a pastor’s life. He spoke of the period of waiting for four years for each pastor. And that after seven years the candidate who progresses well is recommended and ordained. Ellis said, “For fifty years we have accepted women pastors in the USA. It has taken a long time to learn that. The Bible says there is neither slave nor free, black or white, male or female, but all are one in Christ Jesus.”
Another reporter asked if other church groups had been invited to the ordination service. Djungu answered yes, that all religious leaders had been asked to come and represent their religious group at the Ordination Celebration. Another reporter asked if women were ordained in the Roman Catholic Church. And what nationality and ages were the candidates for ordination.
Another reporter asked why Americans were present and why the word UNITED is in UMC. All questions were answered carefully. Ellis said, “At Wesley Seminary where I have been a teacher, we have 800 students and 300 of them are African-American. A reporter asked Bill “Why has Christianity not solved all the world’s problems? Has it failed? Bill attempted to answer that question by saying that Christianity had not failed but failures had come through the weakness of human beings.
Another reporter asked if the church was growing and about relations with the Roman Catholics and other groups. Djungu said, “The first missionary couple came to Senegal in 1955. After two years they returned to America and Pastor Djungu’s family came in 1997 and have been here ever since.”
Bishop Boni spoke about the influence of Wesley from the 19th century. Bishop also explained the Wesleyan organizational system. Another reporter asked what is the difference between the UMC and other churches. He also asked how the UMC was formed. Bishop Boni responded by speaking about grace, salvation by faith, social service, the Bible, and faith for the whole person.
Another reporter asked about the number of persons to be ordained and the steps of beginning the UMC here. Djungu spoke of the beginning of house churches in 1998 and how that is done even today. Bishop Boni spoke about the number of persons to be ordained.
Another reporter spoke about the role of women in the church and asked about the Biblical reference for the ordination of women. Bishop Boni responded by talking about the women as resurrection witnesses. He said that Marie-Agnes was the first woman in all Christianity to be ordained in Senegal. He emphasized the responsibility of the pastor to work with all people. Bishop Boni continued to address the issue of women pastors.
Isaac spoke about the importance of training in a pastor’s life. He spoke of the period of waiting for four years for each pastor. And that after seven years the candidate who progresses well is recommended and ordained. Ellis said, “For fifty years we have accepted women pastors in the USA. It has taken a long time to learn that. The Bible says there is neither slave nor free, black or white, male or female, but all are one in Christ Jesus.”
Another reporter asked if other church groups had been invited to the ordination service. Djungu answered yes, that all religious leaders had been asked to come and represent their religious group at the Ordination Celebration. Another reporter asked if women were ordained in the Roman Catholic Church. And what nationality and ages were the candidates for ordination.
Another reporter asked why Americans were present and why the word UNITED is in UMC. All questions were answered carefully. Ellis said, “At Wesley Seminary where I have been a teacher, we have 800 students and 300 of them are African-American. A reporter asked Bill “Why has Christianity not solved all the world’s problems? Has it failed? Bill attempted to answer that question by saying that Christianity had not failed but failures had come through the weakness of human beings.
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