The Masters

Tiger Woods and Phil Nickelson may be a long ways away, but we have officially launched the Nairobi Masters program in partnership with CTM, Carlile College and Bakke Graduate University. With 24 currently enrolled and 5 eagerly awaiting acceptance, the response has been overwhelming.

CTM Director Kris Rocke (the white one) and Mile High Ministry Director Jeff Johnsen facilitated the first intensive of the program last week. The first two days, which were open to the broader community, attracted over 100 local leaders. The two training days to follow were only open to those that are officially part of the CTM Nairobi Masters Cohort. Kris and Jeff were in their prime in “disorienting” the students and forcing them to think critically about their role as urban ministers. We often sat back and chuckled as they found a way to maneuver in tricky spaces around theological, cultural and social landmines. I don’t know of many others that could tread these tracks.

Collectively, we explored what it looks like to see the incarnational nature of Christ in the slums of Nairobi. This was good news to rise up against the prominent Africa prosperity gospel that justifies the circumstances that people find themselves in through God’s blessings and curses. Could it be that there are blessings hidden within the slums than we might think?

Their time in Nairobi allowed us to review our year here and gave us permission to think strategically about what the future holds for CTM Nairobi. We were able to sift through some of the challenges and successes of the past and capture some of the current energy and explore some new possibilities. With the program masters program off the ground, we certainly have our work cut out for us, but are confident that local leadership will continue to provide a way forward.

This process has taught us a great deal about education in various contexts. We came into the year with our own ideas of higher education based on our own experiences in the states but soon learned that there are obstacles to get around here in Kenya. A few examples:

• As of this January, education is supposed to be free for everyone up to form 4 (the completion of high school). In actuality, it costs the equivalent of two months rent each 3 month term. While rent is very cheap in some places, incomes are low.
• Because of a lack of access to technology, the expectations between high school and university curriculum are drastically different. Students are well prepared in knowledge content, but struggle with communicating ideas.
• The Kenyan mode of education is incredibly classical. With the 3 R’s as top priorities and a high regard for structure, it makes are American education look like a bunch of play-dough degrees.

We are eager to see where this will all go. We invite you to learn more about the partner institutions by visiting their respective websites: Bakke Graduate University, CTM and Carlile College.