Page Title

Text Box: “Breathe on us, Breath of God, fill us with life anew…!” On March 25, 2007, Bishop Janice Huie announced an historical partnership. She was addressing over 14,000 Methodist worshipers who had packed out Palais de Sports Stadium in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (Africa) for a 3-hour celebration. They had come together for their second-ever Annual Conference! “In this Annual Conference today, we are making history. This relationship is the first partner relationship of the Texas Annual Conference with a conference in Africa. It is the first partner relationship with a conference in the United States.” The partnership vision was designed to be mutually beneficial. On our part, we in the Texas Conference pledged to assist them in the following ways: 1) Support the Nothing-But-Nets campaign to prevent Malaria, #1 cause of poverty on the continent. An estimated 78% of African children under the age of 5 become infected with the disease, and half of those will die. Insecticide-treated bed nets have proven to be the most cost-effective means for preventing the spreading of this disease. One net costs $10 and is effective for 5 years. It is not uncommon for entire families to sleep under one net. 2) Strengthen their theological school. 3) Assist the Methodist Hospital in Dabou. 4) Provide school lunches for Ivoirian students. Our first year’s emphasis across the Conference was to raise $1 million dollars for the Nothing-But-Nets campaign. Bishop Huie announced at this year’s Annual Conference (May 25-28, 08) that we have exceeded our goal having raised $1.2 million. That translates into

Text Box: over 100,000 nets! She then shared the exciting news that the United Nations Foundation donated another 400,000 nets. The ‘bread’ is multiplying before our very eyes! This November, we are sending a delegation to Cote d’Ivoire. By that time, according to Bishop Huie, Methodists from the Texas Conference will make a presentation of some 700,000 nets to our friends in Cote d’Voire. Somebody shout, “HALLELUJAH!” On their part, Cote d’Ivoire Methodists pledged to help us in the areas of evangelism and worship. They have experienced exponential growth, and it’s primarily due to their lay people. These brothers and sisters have won some 700,000 people to Jesus Christ. That’s over twice the number of all Methodists throughout the Texas Conference! Witnessing for Jesus comes as natural to them as breathing! We Texas Methodists need to rub shoulders with people like that! This year’s 10-day General Conference (the top legislative body in the UMC which meets every four years) took place in Fort Worth, Texas, beginning on April 23. Arguably, the greatest thing that happened was when all 700,000 members (approximately) of the French-speaking Cote d’Ivoire Methodists were officially received into The UMC with full rights and privileges. Ironically, this took place on the 40th anniversary of the 1968 historic merger between Methodists and the Evangelical United Brethren! Concerning passionate worship, one of seven core beliefs adopted by our conference, our friends from Cote d’Ivoire can teach us much. To quote a past article from the Cross Connection*: “Passionate worship is the signature of the Methodist Church

Text Box: in Cote d’Ivoire. Ivoirian Methodists can be found joyfully praising in small informal gatherings, in impromptu worship celebrations on the street and in spirit explosions that would make any modern mega church envious.” “There are more than 24,000 choir members throughout the country. And, on any given occasion, hundreds upon hundreds show up to lift their voices. Praise isn’t a matter left only to choristers. The laity sing with passion – rejoicing in every song as if it were their favorite. Worship encompasses their entire being, with little attention paid to the time that has passed or the relentless heat. Again and again, Ivoirians illustrate and define passionate worship.” When The Texas Annual Conference convened last week, we were blessed to have a delegation of 60 or 70 Cote d’Ivoire Methodists in our midst. They sang at just about every opportunity, and they were incredible! The above description is no exaggeration! For me, not knowing French really didn’t matter. Just watching them praise God with every ounce of their beings, smiling, dancing, enthralled by the fullness of the Holy Spirit, was totally awesome. I felt spiritually enchanted, and I did not want it to stop! On the last day of the conference, a covenant was entered into. (The full text is found on p. 3) I believe there are great days ahead for those who dare! “Breathe on us, Breath of God, fill us with life anew…!” Clay

Text Box: Terrace Talk