KENYA – About two years before I joined the East Africa Ministry Team with World Renew, I started reflecting on my role as a Christian in community development. At that time, I had worked for and built many secular organizations—community-based health care, microfinance, microenterprise development, and global health leadership—but had a certain emptiness.
Here is one story of someone serving God’s kingdom through the Christian Reformed Church in a variety of ways. She shares how God called her to her particular areas of ministry, and she provides some advice to those considering similar types of service.
Barbara Barungi Kayanja
Hometown: Kampala, Uganda
Position: East Africa Ministry Team leader, World Renew
My ministry story: About two years before I joined the East Africa Ministry Team with World Renew, I started reflecting on my role as a Christian in community development. At that time, I had worked for and built many secular organizations—community-based health care, microfinance, microenterprise development, and global health leadership—but had a certain emptiness. I had done it all for people, but had not done anything for God. This was followed by an overwhelming desire to return to church and support development within a church setting. I Googled Christian organizations working with churches in East Africa and found CRC News. It sounded so much like what I was looking for. The material was very helpful at an individual level for my Christian growth, and, as a pastor’s wife, I found so much we could use in our local church. I signed up for the newsletter and started my journey of learning about the CRC. Later, I learned about the World Renew position opening and applied.
Advice to those considering a similar call: Invest in times of quiet listening for God’s direction. This was my strongest tool. I did not let ideas that came through my mind just pass. Instead, as I reflected on ideas, it became clear that this is what God wanted me to do. The biggest challenge was knowing exactly what God wanted me to do, how, and when. I invested time in reflection and seeking direction from God. I prayed about it and made sure I was not doing what I wanted but what God wanted.
To Read more, visit: https://www.thebanner.org/our-shared-ministry/2018/06/paths-to-ministry
“Paths to Ministry, July/August 2018”
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