I am Philip Odiwuor, a born-again Christian. After completing my undergraduate studies, I joined iServe Africa for a one-year Apprenticeship in January 2024. I am zealous for the gospel ministry to all nations, for I have tasted the goodness of the Lord Jesus and would love the whole world to know Him as a friend and Saviour.
As an apprentice, I am placed at St. Peters A.C.K. Marsabit in the youth and missions department. By extension, the office sent me to work amongst young people in one of the mission schools planted by the church, St. Andrews Boy’s High School. At the school, I serve as the school chaplain and a member of the guidance and counseling committee. My chaplaincy duty, which is the central role, involves several responsibilities, from organizing and presiding over the Sunday services and Tuesday fellowship to leading Bible study and discipleship sessions in an environment where we nurture young souls who are founding their faith for the future. I also meet with the staff for fellowship on Monday evenings. Apart from being viewed as a brother to Jesus, I am also a Physics teacher committed to helping the students grow holistically. This allows me to interact more with the students, which is advantageous for gospel ministry.
Through the ministry work here in Marsabit and the many training sessions organized by iServe Africa, I have learned a lot that is helpful for my personal life and gospel ministry. These include foundational facts like what the gospel is, how to deliver it faithfully, and understanding God’s heart for the world. I have also built patience, time management, and many interpersonal skills.
Although I desired to do ministry, I never imagined myself in the northern parts of Kenya, a place mired in conflict and extreme weather conditions as I used to think. Yes, sometimes I have experienced conflict and harsh weather, but the last five months have changed my worldview. The primary inhabitants are the Borana, the Burji, and the Rendile, whom I have discovered are innocent communities that also need a savior to free them from the pangs of sin.
Marsabit County as a whole is considered a mission ground, with many religions seeking to gain a foothold. This is a significant challenge and highlight of my ministry. Every day, as I minister, I have to consider the Islamic students in my congregation, ensuring I mention things sensitively to avoid turning them off and deterring them from receiving the gospel. In short, I strive to be a faithful preacher to a religiously mixed congregation. Aside from that, we face the challenge of wrong doctrines taught by some of the churches around us.
By the end of my stay here in Marsabit, I pray that I will leave the mark of sound doctrine planted in the hearts of my students so they may become agents of change in their churches and society. For my future, I desire to pursue a theological course to enrich my knowledge of the Bible, which will benefit my spiritual growth and be useful for ministry on the mission grounds that I also desire to be part of.