In Memoriam: Dr. Yed Esaïe Angoran

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) mourns the loss of its dedicated friend and colleague, Dr. Yed Esaïe Angoran. He passed away on Saturday, June 13 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

“Dr. Angoran has had an immense presence and influence in the life of The United Methodist Church worldwide and within the African context, particularly within the United Methodist community in Côte d’Ivoire. He has been an inspiration for many around the world, who witnessed his smile, gentle voice, calm manner and profound wisdom. His passing leaves a tremendous void,” said Amos Nascimento, GBHEM’s associate general secretary for Global Education and New Initiatives.

Angoran was the executive director for GBHEM’s Leadership, Education and Development Hub (LEAD Hub) for French-speaking areas of Africa and had a storied career both within The United Methodist Church and the Côte d’Ivoire government. After earning his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and working for many years as a scientist, Angoran went on to become the Minister of Energy and then the Minister of Communication for Côte d’Ivoire. He held so many government positions in fact, that many citizens simply referred to him as “Le Ministre.”

“We are all grieving the loss of our friend Yed Angoran,” said Rev. Greg Bergquist, GBHEM General Secretary. “As an advisor for multiple United Methodist agencies, Yed was a champion for our faith and for our long Wesleyan tradition of expanding access to education for all people. His work with the GBHEM LEAD Hub in Côte d’Ivoire helped advance numerous training and educational initiatives in West Africa. Our agency will greatly miss his friendship, good counsel and gracious spirit.”

In addition to his role with GBHEM, Angoran served as an advisor to Bishop Benjamin Boni and as chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist University of Côte d’Ivoire. He held positions on the Board of Directors for Discipleship Ministries and United Methodist Communications; and was a committee member for the Commission of the Central Conference Theological Education Fund (CCTEF) and the African Association of Methodist Institutions of Higher Education (AAMIHE).

“When I think of Yed, I remember the way he exuded grace and humility through everything he was involved in. When you were working with him, whether you were negotiating contracts or having difficult conversations, you always left knowing you were heard, respected and valued. Yed truly connected The United Methodist Church, and the world, in immeasurable ways. His death is a deep loss for us all,” said Kimberly Lord, GBHEM’s director of Global Operations and Leader Support.

Angoran is survived by his wife, Anna, five children and four grandchildren. Memorial details are available here.

The GBHEM staff and Board of Directors celebrate Angoran’s life and offer their prayers for his family as he joins the eternal community of saints.

About GBHEM: The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry embraces the ministry of learning and leadership formation in The United Methodist Church and Wesleyan tradition; serving Christians around the world who are shaped by a process of intellectual engagement, spiritual and character formation, and leadership development. We cultivate a dynamic culture of call and vocational discernment that encourages lay and clergy leaders to discover, claim and flourish in God’s ministry and mission for the Church, the academy and the world. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM.