LAKELAND — The Rev. Chris Chikoore, 38, former superintendent of the Harare East District in the Zimbabwe (Africa) Area of the United Methodist Church, says many African youth and young adults think America is a land of rampant marital infidelity, high-speed car chases and guns. Americans, he says, think Africa is a land of wild animals, wars, violence, naked people and people wearing animal skins.

"The media is a very powerful weapon," he said. "What we think of America when we see those movies and soaps is not what’s here. What people see of Africa…it’s not like that. The misconceptions are a two-way flow."

Chikoore said he hopes he will be able to learn about and understand Western culture, religion and spirituality during his time as a student at Asbury Theological Seminary’s Orlando campus and pastor of St. Mark United Methodist Church here. He also hopes to find opportunities to share his African culture, religion and spirituality with Americans.

Despite differences in cultures and perceptions, Chikoore believes the common bond between Africa and the United States is Jesus. "The Jesus Christ here and the Jesus Christ in Africa are the same Jesus Christ," he said.

Chikoore begins studying for his master’s of divinity degree at Asbury in February. He said many African pastors who study in the United States travel without their families, but he did not want to leave his wife and two children behind. He accepted a student appointment at St. Mark to help him bring his family here and pay for his studies.

Chikoore comes with 14 years of experience in the Zimbabwe area. He served as conference council on ministries director, pastor of 16- and nine-church circuits, church planter and pastor of 2,000-member Glenview United Methodist Church in Harare. While a district superintendent his district grew from 13 churches to 23.

"I pray I’ll be able to meet the challenges here," he said. "My first Sunday at St. Mark there were 12 people in worship. It’s difficult after the largest congregation I led had 2,000 people in worship every Sunday. I will minister to them the best I can and bring them the love of Jesus Christ."

Chikoore already has plans to help his 127-member church move into its community and share the love of Jesus with its neighbors. "I’m not a miracle worker," he said. "I’m just available to share the love of Jesus Christ and the gospel of Jesus Christ with the community and the people of St. Mark."

Chikoore was originally scheduled to begin his new appointment last June, but had difficulty obtaining a Special Immigrant Religious Worker visa from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. While he waited for permission to enter the United States, St. Mark waited for their pastor.

"They haven’t had a pastor since June," he said. "Our first challenge is to bring back the members who are no longer coming to worship."

Chikoore said he also hopes to find opportunities to teach Americans about the political, social and religious situations in Zimbabwe and all of Africa. "Although I am appointed to St. Mark, if people are interested in the Zimbabwe political situation, church or the missionary work there, I’m available to share," he said.