Lee University Missions Week Project Nets Nearly $30,000
A project launched during Missions Week at Lee University has raised funds to construct a benevolence building in the capital city of Abuja, Nigeria. The facility will house a school, medical clinic, benevolent center, community center and church—all in one location. This facility will serve as an inroad for the Church of God into the capital city of Abuja and into the mainstream of African life. One in four Africans comes from Nigeria.
With proceeds from several venues, the Lee students raised nearly $15,000 which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Lazarus Foundation. According to the office of Student Ministries at Lee, over $3,300 was raised from students and guests in offerings during the Mission Week services held last month. Nearly $10,000 was realized from the sale of Missions Week T-shirts and nearly $500 was raised using clear globe piggy banks which were placed around campus in classrooms, dorms and dining areas. In addition a few of the clubs and small groups on campus also held fundraisers. There were also students who gave sizeable offerings to the project.
Abuja is the new capital city of Nigeria and the most modern city in Africa. According to Church of God World Missions, there is no presence of the Church of God in this area, and while a new work has begun in a local hotel, the new facility being funded through the Missions Week offering will be an outreach to the community from the Church of God, and give further credence to the “new work” being started there. While the southern part of Africa seems to be more and more Christianized, Abuja is in the central part of Nigeria, thereby bordering the north which is still primarily Muslim. 50% of the population of Nigeria is Muslim and Abuja lies within the 10-40 window.
“We have 59 students enrolled at Lee this semester from Nigeria,” said Campus Pastor Jimmy Harper. “We have seen approximately 140 students from Nigeria come through our doors in just the past few years. Many of these students are studying for medical, business, or computer degrees. As they become more efficient in their work, and while they have had opportunity at Lee to grow in their walk of faith, we hope that this facility will also be a place where some of these students can go back and work, either in internships or otherwise, giving back to the community in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Harper’s office has contacted several local churches about the project to solicit additional partners. The missions project number 102-9074 has been established for any churches or individuals who wish to assist with the project. Please visit www.cogwm.com for more information or call the Lee University Campus Ministries office at 1-800-LEE-9930.
