A Call to Support Eric Manirakiza in Pursuing His Doctorate

Image Courtesy of Hope Africa University

Eric Manirakiza is the director of the nursing program at Hope Africa University, and has been for 11 years. He is a graduate of the first undergraduate class of Nursing from Hope Africa University and a graduate from the first Masters-level class. In 2020, he completed a second masters in Nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College, and is now applying for the doctorate in Nursing Leadership at Spring Arbor University. He has also written a paper called Evaluation of Knowledge and Practice regarding Family Planning among Christians Pregnant Women of Gihanga Attending Antenatal Careat Vyizigiro Health Center, Bubanza, Burundi which can be accessed via the button below.

In the fall, Eric started his program at Spring Arbor University to obtain his doctorate, which is incredibly important to Hope Africa University and to Free Methodist Missions. He reached out to our medical fellowship to request assistance for tuition. Eric’s studies will enable him to provide expert leadership from an international perspective at Hope Africa University, and in his small country of Burundi in Central Africa. He is also attempting to pay tuition as well as take care of his three year old daughter and help support his younger brother and an additional orphaned lady on his limited income. Our board decided to help support him by giving him next semester’s tuition through the Thuline fund. The board also decided to have the FM fellowship set up an account to take tax deductible donations for this education, for this second year of his program. We are hoping many of our members will contribute to help support Eric in pursuing his doctorate. Friends of Hope Africa is also helping to raise support, but it is fitting that our fellowship, which includes nurses, also helps. His program is two years, so these donations will help pay for his second year. Supporting Eric will help the head of a very large FM University based nursing program an advanced degree.

If you have any questions about this, e-mail normwetterau@aol.com . Donations can be made online on our website or mailed to our treasurer, David Leffler. Mail checks out to Free Methodist Medical Fellowship and note nursing education in memo. Mail to:

David Lefler

235 Ridgewood Drive

Fort Ashby, WV 26719

Nursing Education in Central Africa: An Important Part of FM International Health Ministry

Image Courtesy of Hope Africa University

One of the gems of our church is our nursing programs in Central Africa, especially at Hope Africa in Burundi. We have nursing schools at Kibagora Hospital in Rwanda, Nundu in Congo, as well as a large University level course at Hope Africa in Congo.

When our church brought modern medicine to central Africa, there were medical missionaries and nurses, and eventually nursing schools followed. Now we have Christian Medical Schools, including our FM one in Burundi, Hope Africa.

Our April issue featured an article about the nursing department at Hope Africa, which can be accessed here. The article detailed the history of the baccalaureate program, and if you’re curious about the students that graduated, you can read about the spirit of our Hope Africa Graduates here, in an article written by Dr. Randy Bond last year.

Eric Manirakiza is the director of the nursing program program at Hope Africa, who, along with graduating from the first undergraduate program at Hope Africa University, has graduated from HSU’s first Master’s class, and has obtained his second Master’s Degree in Nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College. He plans to pursue his doctorate in Nursing Leadership at Spring Arbor University, and to read more about him, his work, and help him obtain his doctorate click here. Eric shared some more information about the Nursing Program at Hope Africa university in an update:

Q:  Around how many students graduate from Hope Africa University each year?

An average of 50 students graduate each year

Q: How many are in the graduate program?

62 students

Q: What careers have these students gone on to?

 Ministry of Public Health with its different departments and program, National

Public Health Institute, Hospitals, Health Centers and Clinics (Public and Private)

around the Country include Van Norman Clinic and Kibuye Hope Hospital, HAU,

Kibogora in Rwanda, Schools, etc…

Q:   How does the nursing program compare to other majors at HAU?

The nursing program is one the most important programs at HAU. It had trained

students from several nationalities: Haiti, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Rwanda,

Kenya, Burundi, Tchad, DRC. In 2021 and 2022 , we admitted more than 100

students each year.

Addressing Same Sex Attraction from a Christian Perspective: Fall 2022 FMHF Retreat

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Our 2022 fall retreat was a success. Around 30 people gathered to explore the theme: Addressing Same Sex Attraction from a Christian Perspective. In addition to those who attended in person, around 10 people attended virtually. Unfortunately, we were not able to record and make our programs available after the conference but will provide a brief summary here and some references.

Dr. Rodney Bassett, author of Loving From Where We Stand: A Call to Biblically Faithful Ministry with the LGBTQ+ Community is an ordained elder, has a Ph.D, and had taught psychology and human sexuality at Roberts Wesleyan for many years. He provided an overview of homosexuality through the eye of a Christian psychologist. The question is often asked: is same-sex attraction genetic, or inherited, or is it related to early childhood experience? He presented various studies including twin studies that did not give a single answer. All these and other factors were involved. He also spent considerable time talking about how the younger generation views the issue. For many they see the nonacceptance of those with same-sex attraction and relationships as a justice issue. This issue also came up later when same-sex marriage was discussed. He recommended 2 books to give additional information, including Douglas E. Rosenau’s A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God’s Gift of Sexual Intimacy, which is a general introduction to a Christian view of sexuality (both editions are great), as well as any book by Mark Yarhouse, though the members of your association may be especially intrigued by Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture.

Rev. Bruce Cromwell is the author of Loving From Where We Stand: A Call to Biblically Faithful Ministry with the LGBTQ+ Community as well as an ordained elder, and has a Ph.D. His book is available at Life and Light Press, as well as on their website FreeMethodistbooks.com where one can listen to a podcast about the book and read an excellent summary by Jeff Finley. Although we do not have recordings on our retreat sessions, the book, podcast and summary will provide much information.

In the discussion at the retreat, the group struggled with the issue. Most agreed that God intended sexual activity to be between a man and women in marriage. On the other hand, simply having same sex attraction is not a sin. Also there can be much sin in heterosexual relationships. Everyone should be welcome in a church, even though the church may not approve of all that they do. The church is about forgiveness, yet one does not define forgiveness by saying that all they are doing is fine. The church is to draw all people to Jesus. We do not have to approve of all that everyone does but we are also not to judge them when there are no innocent parties being hurt that need protection. Those who are in same sex relationships are welcome in our churches although maybe not in a leadership role. A chapter in Rev. Bruce Cromwell’s book discusses this in detail. Those who come having been married outside the church are to be recognized as legally married, but the church will not marry them. Here marriage is a legal issue.

It was noted that churches can have three views toward homosexuality. One is to condemn and judge it. Those in same-sex relationships are not welcome at these churches. A second view is affirming what they are doing. But there is a third alternative, and our church is a leader in this: acceptance without affirming. Our church cannot affirm their choices or perform same sex marriages. However, we accept them as children of God and invite them to fellowship and grow as Christians in our churches. Their activity is not the unforgivable sin. Yet at the same time we do not promote same sex activity or marriage as some churches do. Pastor Cromwell noted that as the United Methodist Church struggles with this issue, a number of their churches really like our position. They have problems with those churches that totally affirm same sex activity and celebrate it, yet they do not want to judge and condemn these people. Our churches position allows us to accept the individuals without celebrating their activity. As the United Methodist Church struggles with this issue a number of these churches are very interested in our position since it is one of love but not of celebration of something which is outside Gods perfect will for humans.

Finally, there was a discussion of medical aspects of those with same sex activity. There is a wide spectrum of medical aspects. For those in relationship with just one person there may be few or no medical issues. Issues of having children could be an issue. For those in multiple relationships there are potentially many problems. Drug addiction is common in those with multiple partners but that is equally common in those with multiple heterosexual partners and in younger people in general. Males who have anal sex with multiple partners have a high incidence of HIV. Suicide rates are high, especially among transexual youth. Health care professionals need to be sensitive to the needs of all these individuals. They are all children of God. There was considerable discussion around all these issues.

This retreat was a time of fellowship but also sharing thoughts around these issues We want to take them back to our congregation. Our position: to accept but not celebrate is one that needs to be shared. Also consider ordering the recommended books, especially Rev. Dr. Bruce Cromwells book Loving From Where We Stand: A Call to Biblically Faithful Ministry with the LGBTQ+ Community; for your church library.