Dr. J. Jeffrey Hoover is a missionary with the General Board of
Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church assigned since 1979 to
the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire. Dr. Hoover is a
professor at Katanga Methodist University, both in the theological
college as professor of church history and in the School of Information
Technology.
Jeff also serves as chief librarian, overseeing a computerization and
recataloguing project, and has served as founding dean of the School of
Information Technology and as a vice-dean for the theological college.
Dr. Hoover has been involved in international accreditation isssues,
development of Congolese faculty, and the development of both concepts
and curricula for the new colleges of the university.
Jeff shares that he is deeply committed to the development of a
viable United Methodist-related university at Mulungwishi which can help
address the critical needs of the Congo that are emerging after three
decades of the Mobutu regime and five years of war. In a country where
French rather than English is the principal international language, a
Congolese university can better and more cost effectively serve the
needs of its country while following the principles and values of an
African University for English-speaking Africa.
Jeff continues to maintain his ties with the public University of
Lubumbashi, one of the three Congolese state universities which for two
decades had a monopoly on higher education. He teaches pre-colonial
African history, the field of his research, and is also interested in
Bantu historical linguistics and social anthropology. He continues to
concentrate on teaching beginning undergraduates as well as
facilitiating the development of Congolese staff.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Hoover has also served as a consultant
to government and international organizations involved with development
projects in Katanga province. From 1985-92 he served as administrative
director of a medical infrastructure project with the cooperation of
USAID, the Zairian government, and several Christian denominations, all
managed by the Southern Congo Annual Conference.
Dr. Hoover received his B.A. degree in history and biology from
Luther College in 1969, and earned his M.Ph. degree in 1972 and his
Ph.D. in African History in 1978, both from Yale University.
He is married to Dr. Ellen Titus Hoover, who is also a GBGM
missionary serving in the DRC. They have a daughter, Jane, and two sons,
Jeremy and Mark.
Contact Information:
Email Me!
Supporting Conferences:
Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference,
Iowa Annual Conference,
Mississippi Annual Conference,
South Georgia Annual Conference,
Susquehanna Annual Conference,
West Michigan Annual Conference,
Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference
Additional Information:
Beware of internet property rental scams and other similar scams using missionary names.