Joshphat Mutunga tells how God is using books to equip pastors like him in rural Kenya.

“Because my father was a witch doctor everyone hated my family. No preacher ever came to tell us the good news. One night my father was found naked in someone else’s compound. The hostility towards us intensified.” 

“It was not until I was in my late twenties that my family had the opportunity to know God. In 2005 a church was planted near our house. It was in that church that I found Jesus Christ. Because I became a Christian, my father chased me away from home.”

First I was given responsibilities

“However, God provided me with a new home. Although I was old enough to marry, my pastor and his family took me in. He taught me God’s word so that I could teach others. The following year, I was baptised and put in charge of the Sunday school. Three years later, I was made pastor of a small church! I had no theological training and a pressing desire to go to Bible school. However, I could not afford to study.”

“In 2017 a friend graduated from the Word of Life School of Theology. I attended the graduation ceremony. Deep in my heart I was asking God to one day open a door for me to study theology too. Little did I know that God had already answered my prayer.”

Then I was given training

“The principal announced that the first applicant for the new intake would receive a scholarship! I applied immediately. That October I was welcomed into the next cohort and was given the bundle of ten books SparkLit provided.”

“These books have become the foundation of my Bible understanding and will shape my ministry. Thank you for empowering me for ministry work. This study and training has changed my life.”

“Surely God loves his people and provides for us from many sources. I will keep praying for SparkLit.”

Pray that the word of Christ will dwell richly among church leaders in Kenya so they will teach and admonish with all wisdom, singing to God with gratitude in their hearts.

Joshphat Mutunga graduated with a diploma from the Word of Life School of Theology, Meru.

$80 will enable a pastor to train for two years by providing a ten-volume Africa Leadership Manual.

With your support pastors like Gerald Muriungi will train for a life of service in rural Kenya.

Although I do not come from a Christian family, since my childhood I have always envisioned a life of service to God. But how could this happen? Training was not possible. My church is too small to send me to study at a Bible college.

In September 2015 I saw an advertisement inviting people with a ministry call to apply for a scholarship to study the word of God for free. I immediately sent my application and was admitted.

To be able to study the Bible is a miracle

My name is Gerald Muriungi. I am a second year diploma student. Coming to the Word of Life School of Theology in Kianjai was a miracle. I am here on a full scholarship. The Word of Life School of Theology offers sponsored training to equip many leaders from all local church denominations. But the most encouraging thing this college does is supply text books for all Bible students.

The need for books is dire

The ten-volume Bible Training Centre for Pastors African Leadership Manual we use for the two-year part-time diploma course is supplied through a grant from SparkLit. You are doing a commendable work helping to equip ministers of the gospel and church leaders in Kenya. I am so glad to share part of the blessing you provide by your support of this Bible school.

On behalf of the 20 students in our class who benefit from your assistance, I wish to express our innermost thanks for you and for your love of Christ.

Please pray that we will win souls to Him and equip the saints for the work of the kingdom. Pastors in Africa are desperate for training and in dire need of Christian literature. Please continue to meet this crucial need as the Lord enables you.

Pastor Gerald Muriungi is a diploma student at the Word of Life School of Theology in Kianjai, Kenya.

$80 will enable a pastor to train for two years by providing the ten-volume African Leadership Manual.

You can help prepare graduates like Harrison Wachanga Gitahi for long-term ministry.

I used to think that studying theology was not only unnecessary but dangerous. I saw priests and pastors who appeared to be indifferent to sin. They seemed preoccupied with church management. They had forgotten about outreach, evangelism and repentance. I was convinced that studying theology had made them apathetic. I thought that study would damage rather than improve my spiritual life and effectiveness as a Christian.

I had to learn to depend on God

My name is Harrison Wachanga Gitahi. I am 39, married and a born again Christian. I am now also a third-year theological student at St Andrew’s College of Theology and Development in Kabare.

After serving as a youth leader for many years I came to realise that Christian ministry is not just about winning souls but also about effective leadership, discipleship and service. I needed to prepare for a sustainable and consistent ministry.

Studying theology has opened my eyes to the true nature of God. There was so much beyond my understanding. I was humbled to learn that it is God who sustains me and gives me strength to carry on. I long to use my time, energy and gifts to expose young people to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Beyond the pulpit

Books are useful in the classroom but when I leave college they will be indispensable tools. Books will equip me for preaching and also for my ministry away from the pulpit. I will depend on books for my ongoing learning.

Your gift of books will be a great blessing and an encouragement for a long time.

Please pray for the students who graduate from St Andrew’s this year. Pray that we will grow in faith and godliness and lovingly guide those in our care.

Harrison Wachanga Gitahi is a student at St Andrew’s College of Theology and Development, Kabare, Kenya.

$50 will provide Bible college graduates in Kenya with a theological reference and a pastoral text.

Today you can give a Bible college graduate like Rose Awino Odwar the gift of knowledge.

Praise the Lord!

My name is Rose Awino Odwar. I am saved and Jesus Christ is my Saviour. Indeed, I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life. I am married to a clergyman. God has blessed us with three children in addition to the three that we are taking care of with the help of God.

I thank God so much for opening a way for me to attain my diploma in missiology at Carlile College. Studying at Carlile has strengthened my relationship with the Lord. Learning with students from different countries has enabled me to appreciate different cultures and enhanced my understanding of cross-cultural mission. Our lecturers worked hard to ensure that we are well equipped physically, spiritually and with sound mind. During my three years at Carlile I was the class representative. This privilege gave me the opportunity to interact with students at a very personal level.

Upon the completion of our studies the Lord did something wonderful in the lives of my colleagues and I. We all received books that are going to be a great help to us. My book is titled An Introduction to the New Testament. I believe that this book will reveal much to me about the Good News of Salvation. It is going to have a great impact on my ministry.

May God Almighty bless you for thinking of blessing us in this way. You have put great ideas into our hearts. We shall cherish this all our lives. The other graduating students are as grateful as I am. On behalf of the entire class I thank you. It is our sincere prayer that God might bless you and keep you. May the Lord expand your territories so that you might continue to fulfil this noble obligation.

Rose Awino Odwar graduated this year with a diploma in missiology from Carlile College in Nairobi, Kenya.

SparkLit provides essential theological books to Bible college graduates in Kenya.

Today you can help Peter Ibui prepare pastors and leaders to serve growing churches.

When SparkLit Director Michael Collie spoke at our graduation ceremony in November 2012 he challenged us to study the Bible and grow in godliness. Following his speech, pastors were quick to request application forms for our Bible training.

The World of Life ministry was founded in Kianjai in 2009 to train new believers to read and teach the Bible and to use the written word to reach out to the lost, including our Muslim neighbours.

There is hunger

Widespread spiritual hunger and ignorance of God’s Word can be attributed to a lack of access to basic Bible training and good books. In this impoverished and remote northern part of the Meru district, the Word of Life School of Theology is the only accessible and affordable Bible training available for equipping and empowering church leaders. We provide theological education to pastors who cannot afford to relocate or study full-time.

There is growth

Brother Collie’s visit was a great encouragement and helped build confidence in our ministry. Since then our ministry has grown and improved. In 2013 we introduced a two-year part-time diploma for pastors using the ten-volume Bible Training Centre for Pastors African Leadership manual.

Last year, in response to local demand for Bible teaching, we opened a second campus in Mutuati with fifteen students from diverse denominational backgrounds.

This year, across both campuses, we already have a total of thirty-seven enrolments. The financial needs of our ministry are many but the most pressing of all is the need for African Leadership study manuals so that these pastors can begin our Bible training.

Pray with us

Please pray with me that these pastors will grow in understanding and godliness and be equipped to instruct and guide those in their care. Please also pray for the successful completion this year of the school’s own facilities.

Peter Ibui is the Principal of the Word of Life School of Theology in Kianjai, Kenya.

$60 will enable a pastor to train for two years by providing a ten-volume African-Leadership manual.