Online Archives

By Barbara Coward
UMConnection Correspondent

Senegal, a country that is 94 percent Muslim, might seem an unlikely place to find United Methodist missionaries.

But after nearly 10 years of serving congregations in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, a clergy couple from Hampstead has been appointed by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries to become missionaries in Senegal.

In January, the Rev. Richard Brown-Whale of the Shiloh and Mount Zion UMCs and the Rev. Kimberly Brown-Whale of St. John?s UMC will begin a three-year term of service in the capital city of Dakar.

It is a role that isn?t entirely new for either of them. From 1985 to 1997, the Brown-Whales served as Global Ministries missionaries in Anguilla, Grenada, Mozambique, and the Central Pennsylvania Annual Conference.

They are equally excited about this move.

'We are delighted with the appointment because of its challenging nature,' said Richard Brown-Whale. 'God?s call met our desire to experience life in other parts of the world and to be a bridge between parts of Christ?s family in different places.'

In this new assignment, the couple hopes to connect United Methodists back home with their brothers and sisters in this former French colony. The clergy couple?s work will be in the area of church growth and development.

'Senegal is fairly new work for The United Methodist Church,' said Kimberly. 'The United Methodist Church only began its work there in 1989. I am told that there are now 15 new United Methodist congregations, but we have only begun to proclaim Christ there. We have yet to reach the largest ethnic group in Senegal, the Wolof. Fewer than 40 of the more than 5 million Wolof people are Christian. The remainder practices a mixture of tribal animism and Sufi Islam.'

Although it is one of the most stable democracies in Africa and is known for its religious and ethnic tolerance, there are deep-seated economic and social problems in the country. More than half of its 11 million people live below the poverty line. Almost 50 percent are unemployed and only 40 percent of the population is literate.

'There are a large number of un-reached people, widespread unemployment and poverty, illiteracy, problems with the status and role of women, and a need to support struggling Christians in a Sufi Islamic state,' Richard said.

'While tolerant to Christians, a Muslim choosing to follow Jesus sacrifices family ties, social support, and political and business opportunities afforded them through the Muslim brotherhoods. The Church must be able to replace these with something stronger.'

As far as what churches back home can do to support their mission, the Brown-Whales welcome financial contributions as well as other forms of assistance. 'Churches can donate directly to the Senegal Initiative (Advance # 12594A),' said Richard.

'We will also need congregations who choose to enter into a covenant relationship with us in which we pray for them and communicate about what work they are helping to make possible in Senegal. In return, they agree to pray for us, communicate about their churches? mission and ministry, and offer financial support at a minimum of $5 per member or $2,500 (The Advance Numbers are, for Kimberly: 09540Z, for Richard: 09539Z).'

'We will also need VIM teams to engage in construction and medical work,' said Kimberly. 'Once we are in place, we are sure that we will be able to share many more ways churches can assist.'

On a personal level, the Brown-Whales are experiencing a wide range of emotions as they prepare to move to this tropical country, which is slightly smaller than South Dakota.

'Our thoughts are many, and they differ depending on the moment,' said Richard.

'I was worried about working in French and Wolof, a language in Senegal, but one of my church members pointed out that love communicates in any language,' said Kimberly. 'I hope to communicate both my love for Jesus and his love for all people.'

Perhaps most of all, they are approaching this new assignment with appreciation for the congregations who will participate with them in the evangelization and church growth in Senegal.

'I feel deeply privileged to be called once again into missionary service,' said Richard. 'I am committed to sharing the love of Jesus wherever I am called to serve. This appointment is both exciting and challenging, but I know that Christ has gone before me. With him all things are possible.'