Governance and Christian Higher Education in the African Context

DAVID BAWKS is a minister with Nairobi Chapel, having served in Kenya since 2008. He graduated from Wheaton College, IL, with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical/Theological Studies and History, then went on to complete a Master of Divinity at Africa International University. Previously, he taught at Carlile College and led the Nairobi Chapel Tyrannus Hall training ministry. Currently he leads a new church plant at Nairobi Chapel Karen.

SAMUEL OTIENO OKETCH has been the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Africa East Field Coordinator since March 2012. He previously served in the HIV and AIDS department in the same ministry from November 2004. Oketch attended Africa Nazarene University between 1999 and 2003, and attained a bachelor’s degree in Theology. In 2005, he graduated with a master of arts in Religion from the same university, and is currently a student in the doctor of ministry program at Africa Nazarene University. Oketch is an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene.

KYAMA MUGAMBI, PhD (Kenya / USA) is assistant professor of World Christianity at Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut. He was previously at Africa International University, where he has been serving as a senior researcher and faculty member at the university’s Centre for World Christianity. He specializes in ecclesial, social, cultural, theological, and epistemological themes within African urban Christianity. His 2020 book, A Spirit of Revitalization: Urban Pentecostalism in Kenya, which traces the history of Pentecostalism in Kenya, has been hailed as a singular contribution to the fields of mission studies, world Christianity, and intercultural theology. He also served as the editorial manager of African Theological Network Press, an initiative advancing theological discourse among academics and church workers. He is a member of the editorial boards of the Dictionary of African Christian Biography [www.dacb.org] and Missio Africanus. He remains connected to the local church having served as a pastor for more than 20 years.

PAUL M. MBANDI is the Executive Director of Missions Afield Leadership Development Africa (MALDA) and the leader of the PhD in Theological Studies program at International Leadership University in Nairobi, Kenya. He holds a PhD in Theological Studies from Trinity International University.

Elkanah Kiprop Cheboi holds a PhD in Theological Studies (New Testament) from Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya. Currently, he is a lecturer in Theology and Biblical Studies at Kabarak University, Kenya. In the past, he served as a local church pastor and as a chaplain in a mission hospital and nursing college. He is also the Founder and Director of ShahidiHub Africa, a Christian organization that deals with news perspectives, Christian research and publications.

KEVIN MURIITHI NDEREBA has a PhD in practical theology from the University of South Africa. He is the head of the Department of Practical Theology at St. Paul’s University, Kenya, and a research fellow at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He is the co-founder of Apologetics Kenya and serves in the executive leadership of the Africa Society of Evangelical Theology (ASET) and the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM). He also holds a certificate in Christian Apologetics from Talbot School of Theology, California, USA.

ELIZABETH MBURU was the first woman to gain a PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, North Carolina, USA. She is an associate professor of New Testament and Greek at International Leadership University, Africa International University and Pan-Africa Christian University in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr Mburu is on the board of the Africa Bible Commentary and is the editorial coordinator and New Testament editor for its revision, as well as the Anglophone Africa Regional Coordinator for Langham Literature. Professor Mburu is also the author of Qumran and the Origins of Johannine Language and Symbolism (T&T Clark, 2010).

J. GREGORY CROFFORD is in his third decade of missionary service, having worked in educational and church development roles in four sub-Saharan African nations and Haiti. Currently, he is Dean of the School of Religion and Christian Ministry at Africa Nazarene University, where he is also Coordinator of the PhD (Religion) program. Dr Crofford received his PhD (Theology) from the University of Manchester (UK) with a focus on Wesleyan theology. He is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene.

HARRIET AKUGIZIBWE CAROLINE KINTU has been a missionary with Campus Crusade for Christ International (Cru) since 1996. She is currently a lecturer at International Leadership University, formerly known as Nairobi International School of Theology (NIST). Harriet is a PhD candidate (Education Curriculum and Instruction) at Africa International University. She holds a master of education (Curriculum and Instruction) from Africa International University, a master of arts in Biblical Counseling from Nairobi International School of Theology, and a bachelor of arts with education from Makerere University Kampala. Before joining NIST in 2000, Harriet trained and mentored new Cru staff for the Southern and Eastern Africa region. She is married to Moses Kintu (PhD) and they have three teenage sons.

ROBERT FALCONER holds degrees in architecture and theology. After practicing architecture in Scotland and South Africa, he and his wife were called to Kenya as missionaries, where he served as principal of a discipleship training school. Dr. Falconer currently works at South African Theological Seminary as the coordinator of student research. He lives in St. Francis Bay, South Africa, together with his wife and two sons.