We must go back and reclaim our past so we can move forward; so we can understand why and how we came to be, who we are.

Sankofa
Core Concepts, Values and Expectations
Who are we? Sankofa is a journey into African-American Christian spirituality with the goal of calling Christians of African descent to individual and corporate practice of the spiritual disciplines in ways that deepen personal spirituality and strengthen Christian community. We want to:

Believe what Jesus believed.
Live the way Jesus lived.
Love the way Jesus loved.
Minister the way Jesus ministered.

Core Concept of Sankofa
Sankofa is an Akan (West Africa) word, which is translated, “one must look back in order to go forward.” The Akan symbol for Sankofa is called the Sankofa bird. The bird is moving forward with its head turned to look back behind, from where it has come. Another translation is, “no matter how far one travels, one must always return home.”

This is the essence of the concept behind this project. In order for African- Americans to reclaim and reconnect with their spirituality, we must return to the roots of that spirituality and the attendant practices.

We believe that God is calling forth this experience of Sankofa so that all of us can drink living waters from the well of God’s grace. We are invited into a new relationship with God and with one another -- a relationship of freedom and grace, forgiveness and love, self-acceptance and self-nurture, understanding and appreciation for African cultural heritage.

Core Values

1. The intention of Sankofa is to provide an experience in African-American spiritual formation. Reclaiming and renewing one’s connection to Africa, to the American experience of slavery, and to the Civil Rights journey are essential.
   
   
2. Sankofa is sponsored by The General Board of Discipleship Office of African-American Ministries, The Upper Room, The University of Indianapolis, The Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences with support from other agencies. Funding comes from a variety of sources. This collaboration has involved prayer, teamwork, networking, and discernment as vital ingredients in the planning process.
   
   
3. Participants will be expected to commit fully to all aspects of the journey, to engage in their own personal spiritual growth, and to be prepared to enhance their local church’s ministry of spiritual formation.
   
   
4. Participation will be by application. All persons are welcome. Persons must show evidence of a serious desire to participate and commit to this long-term process.
   
   
5. The concept of “Sankofa” was birthed in prayer and longing. Various persons across the connection experienced the Two Year Academy for Spiritual Formation, the Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation, and A Closer Walk with God -- A Focus on African-American Spirituality. Sankofa offers its own unique spiritual experience. Because it is a two-year journey, it is more than just a retreat experience.
   
   
6. Our vision is to partner with African-American congregations where appropriate for consultation, support, prayer, and participation. We see this work as an important part of the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century Initiative of The United Methodist Church.

Core Expectations and Outcomes
We expect persons to return to their local churches and settings prepared to lead an effort to reclaim and recover African-American spirituality. We expect persons to assist their judicatories and area ministries in promoting, engaging, and offering the model of African-American spirituality as a means for grace and growth.

We expect congregations and judicatories to be strengthened by persons attending this program. We expect that individuals and congregations will be able and willing to engage the Rule and its practices in order to grow closer to God and one another. By doing this, they will accomplish their mission and ministry.

We expect African-American congregations to be stronger in their self-determination, self-image, and identity as people of color. We expect congregations to engage their communities and people around them in active, engaged, and intentional ministry.

We expect individuals and to grow in love and grace. We expect persons who complete this program to be on a continuing journey of faith, maturity, growth, and servanthood.

We expect stronger African-American congregations.