Know Reverend Mutuku
Justus M. Mutuku
What is your background? Where did you grow up?
I am a Kenyan born in the Eastern province, Makueni County of Kenya. I grew up and lived in rural Kenya until after high school when I joined a Bible college in Kijabe, Kenya, and later came to serve in Nairobi with Africa Inland Church – Milimani.
Tell us a little bit about your family life now.
I was born in a family of ten. Both my parents who are Christians are alive and serving in various capacities in the church. I have four brothers, two of who have passed on to be with the Lord. My five sisters are all alive and married. My parents are farmers and my father is serving the church as a lay clergy. I am married to Lilian and blessed with two children, Caleb Muuo (9) Joy Mueni (7). I have been married to Lilian for the last eleven years and we are keeping well in the Lord. Our children are both going to school. Lilian and I both served at A.I.C. Milimani Church before God re-positioning us. Currently at Kabarak University as the Chaplain.
How would you define world Christianity and how did you develop an interest in this subject?
Christianity has undergone a paradigm shift. New trends are emerging in world Christianity that ministers of the gospel need to be familiar with. World Christianity explores the issues and realities that are facing the Christian faith worldwide. It seeks to place Christianity in the global perspective and see how the observed trends impact local and global Christianity.
I developed an interest in this subject back in 2007 while finishing my Masters of Divinity program in Theological Studies. I had been observing some unexplained trends in world Christianity that did not get sufficient explanation. The prospects of AIU’s World Christianity program articulated some of those concerns that I had, so I decided to pursue studies in this program to seek knowledge and understanding regarding these trends.
Why AIU and CWC?
AIU is a full-fledged university chartered by the government of Kenya. AIU, originally known as NEGST, has a long-standing reputation of being a quality university that has offered sound training to many ministers and teachers of God’s word. I have also done my first and second Masters degrees with AIU and I find it a very relevant institution to be part of. The CWC is new but the intent of this centre has been articulated in a unique and clear way, and I look forward to being part of this great dream that seeks to address the issues in world Christianity.
What do you see as one of the greatest challenges facing the African church?
Some of the challenges are the absence of sound Biblical and theological knowledge as well as syncretism among believers. The church in Africa has operated on borrowed or imported theology. There is need to develop a theology coming from the African context that engages and addresses African realities.
What are the opportunities for the African church?
- Availability of willing scholars who are prepared to engage theological issues in the context of Africa
- The African Christian has a hunger for God. We need to use this opportunity.
- Networking opportunity across the globe among theologians
- Availability of theological seminary for training and equipping both clergy and scholars
How can World Christianity equip African Christians to respond to these challenges and opportunities?
We can respond by developing relevant, well-rounded programs that equip Christians with relevant knowledge and information regarding Biblical Christianity and seek to encourage interaction between Biblical knowledge and the realities on the ground.
How are AIU and your programme helping you personally to prepare for these challenges and opportunities?
I have been receiving new information and also been equipped with the necessary skills and approaches to engaging and understanding the realities that are facing African Christianity and how to go about addressing them. I have been able to interact with students from other contexts and have been able to have hands-on experiences as a result.
Written By Gifti Mulli
Comments
Post a Comment