Expanding Opportunities!


Expanding My Role
I am very happy to report that I will be taking on a new role when I return to Africa. I have been approved by WGM to become a Regional Missionary, serving theological schools potentially all across the continent of Africa. In this new role, I will serve as a consultant and adjunct professor at a variety of schools and in diverse contexts. I will also have the opportunity to work with the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA), the prominent accrediting body for theological schools, to do campus visits, help with workshops and forums, and generally assist in a variety of ways. 
   
Here I am, second from left, with my colleagues who represent theological schools throughout West and Central Africa, plus Madagascar. This photo was taken when we came together in Cote d'Ivoire for the Overseas Council Institute for Excellence last May. I look forward to working with some the provosts and deans pictured here. 
Saying Goodbye is Hard to do...Thank you, WATS students!
Patricia Ali, a first generation college graduate, poses with me on commencement day. Pat is like a daughter to me, and I will miss her very much.
I would not be able to take on my new role as consultant and adjunct teacher for schools throughout Africa if I did not have my two years of experience as Academic Dean embedded in the context at West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS). I learned a lot about the challenges of leadership development in the African context (especially for women). I learned how difficult it is when cultural mores mitigate against academic achievement or organizational development. I came to appreciate the Africanization of theological education--both conceptually and pedagogically. But most of all, I was deeply touched and inspired by the students who face harsh living conditions and daunting challenges every day, but who persevere with gratitude, humility, and grace. May God help me to be like them! 


Moving from Lagos to Nairobi

To facilitate my new role, I will be moving to Nairobi, Kenya, which is by some accounts the epicenter of higher education in Africa. When I tell my friends about this move, I usually get two quick questions:
1. What about Jennifer (who has been my co-missionary for the past 2 years)?
2. What about Nika, the dog?

No worries! Both are coming to Nairobi, too! Jennifer will be switching to a medical ministry for orphans in Nairobi, and we are working now to figure out how to fly Nika to Kenya. 

 Homeland Ministry Assignment (HMA) Update
I interrupted my HMA to go back to Nigeria for graduation and to teach Educational Psychology to masters students.

Dr. Emmanuel Oguntosin and me: I am explaining how to carry his hood before the ceremony began
First DMin Graduates!
Five students of the first Doctor of Ministry (DMin) cohort of 22 completed their programs and earned the first doctorates ever awarded by WATS. It was an exciting day! On the right you see Dr. Emmanuel Oguntosin whose dissertation was a case study on the negative effects on marriages of cultural (and tribal) expectations of post-menopausal women. He provided important suggestions for transformational change. 
 
A few of the 116 graduates (including bachelors, masters, and doctoral) who participated in the 2016 Commencement. I am in the back row, right of center

Educational Psychology students in the Masters in Christian Education Program


Teaching
I was very happy that I could teach my favorite class one last time before leaving  WATS. I have had some of these students for three or four courses, and it was hard to say goodbye.







HMA Travels
I returned to the US at the end of September and began traveling almost immediately to South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland (briefly), and Georgia. Mid-November will take me through Florida before returning to Kansas for Thanksgiving. I'll be in Boston for Christmas.

I am very grateful for some new supporters who have joined me in this journey and for several of you who increased your monthly support. Thank you for that! I am always very encouraged to have your friendship, communication, prayers, and financial help. Due to losing some Nigeria-based support and the increased costs of travel throughout Africa that I will have in my new role, my monthly support needs increased. Please join me in trusting God to provide all that I need for my monthly budget so that I can return to Africa by March. If you feel God is leading you to join me in this work, please visit my webpage. All contributions are tax deductible. Thank you very much.

After spending two years in Africa, I am convinced more than ever that the greatest need in Africa today is leadership development. Churches, schools, and other organizations need leaders who are prepared to face complex situations (including extreme poverty and persecution) with courage, resolve, humility, and a willingness to embrace the complexity all around them. Equipped with sound theological education and authentic spiritual growth, such leaders will be able to effect transformational change one person, one school, one church, and one community at a time. I am very excited about expanding this ministry to other schools and countries. Thank you for being with me in this work.

                                                Shelley A. Chapman,  PhD
Regional Consultant and Adjunct Professor for Leadership Development in Africa
  WGM     Blog
WGM Missionary

s.chapman@wgm.org