Graduation Transitions

There are days that bring both joy and sadness . . . graduation day is one of those days.

For the graduates, it marks the end of one season of life and the beginning of another. This day is met with anticipation for the future but also with a bit of trepidation for the uncertainty of the coming transition.

For those of us who teach, it is can sometimes feel like just another day in an endless cycle . . . we send out those graduating with the expectation that these graduates will soon be replaced with new students. Yet we all trust that God has guided the past and prepared the future.

Allow me a few moments to introduce you to a few of our graduates. Third year students graduate with a diploma – this meets the government requirements – but most of them will return for a fourth year of training. This fourth year prepares students for licensing and ordination in the African Inland Church.

Charles Ochuka is a third year graduate who answered the call to the ministry later in life. He is married and his eldest is just starting university. Charles was the chairman of the Antioch Missions Fellowship this past year so I worked closely with him. He has a heart for local church ministry and is developing his leadership ability. He has been elected the student body chairman for this coming academic year.

Festus Munyao is also a third year graduate. Like Charles, he is a family man who answered the call to ministry later in life. Festus was my student small group leader this past year. He is wise, like a father, and cautious when he speaks. He also has a heart for ministry in the local church.

Daniel Kingori is a fourth year graduate. He will be joining a local church ministry but I can see much more in his future. Daniel has a real passion for missions. He has been an active member in Antioch Missions Fellowship. Daniel took my elective Acts course this past term and his heart for the lost was evident as we studied the early church. I’ve also heard him preach and know that he is a man who allows God to use him. He has the heart of an evangelist and the gifts to match.

Martin Wanjiku is also one of our fourth year graduates. Martin has served as the chairman of Antioch Missions Fellowship, student chaplain, and this past year as the student body chairman. I had the privilege of spending some time with Martin this past year talking through his plans for the future. His desire is to reach university students and he’s had to create a way to pursue this ministry. Over the past year he worked out an agreement with a church near a university campus to hire him as a part-time pastor after graduation. This will grant him free time during the week to engage in campus ministry. He has partnered with an organization for some additional training but will be raising financial support to balance out his needs and to fund his ministry to university students.

Moffat has been training men and women for ministry for over eighty five years and it is an honor to be a part of what God is doing here in Kenya. Please pray for our graduates as they step out in faith to serve. Pray that they will have all they need and that their desire to reach the lost will not diminish. Pray also for the church in Kenya to stand firm in the face of both persecution and apathy. There are still unreached people groups in the north and almost a daily influx of S*m*li people into Kenya. The opportunities are many and my prayer is that the church in Kenya will rise up and push into North Africa.

Love,

Tim for Maureen, Luke & Kate

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