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John Stott Ministries

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Home > JSM News > A New Heritage: Langham Scholar Philip Wandawa's Hope for Uganda

A New Heritage: Langham Scholar Philip Wandawa’s Hope for Uganda

June 4, 2008

P5271583.JPGAs Langham Scholar Philip Wandawa works on his dissertation at Calvin Theological Seminary, his heart remains focused on his home country more than 6000 miles away – Uganda. He has spent many years helping lay the groundwork for the Kampala Evangelical School of Theology (KEST), and though he has seen the institution grow from a mere idea into an accredited institution, he knows that there still remains an unbelievably high demand for quality biblical training for pastors in Uganda.

Now, Philip hopes that his studies in Grand Rapids, Mich., will take him one more step toward supporting the growing need for pastor training and scholarship.

When KEST first opened its doors, there were very few institutions in Uganda that supported a comprehensive need to train pastors. Most of the movement was with indigenous local churches–and today, probably as many as 60 percent of pastors in Uganda have not had formal training. “There is going to be a high demand for the KEST program for a very long time,” Philip says.

“The growth of Christian faith in Africa means generally the churches are springing up every day,” Philip says. “Most of these people are simply called up without any training. We needed a training institution headed up by those with a ministry background.”

While Philip left his position as prinicipal at KEST in order to finish his studies in Michigan, he remains committed to closing the gap between trained and untrained pastors, and knows that his return to Africa to teach and mentor at KEST is paramount to strengthening the church in that area. Today, he’s helping KEST develop several nonformal training programs, so that pastors who are not able to attend seminary can still receive some formal training that’s biblically sound and relevant to their culture.

Philip recognizes his opportunity to participate in the historic Langham Scholar program. “I don’t know whether there are any parallels to exactly what JSM does, to see a scholar all the way through the end, to help you finish. This is one way that the resources that God has desposited in the western world. Similar to Paul’s export of the message back to Jerusalem when that city was in hard times, this is the way JSM supporters should see themselves. Part of the heritage of the church in the New Testament. It is as much ministry as those who are preaching.”

Subsequently, the Langham Scholar program is thankful to be a key factor in the impact that Philip and KEST make on the church in Uganda.

2 Responses to “A New Heritage: Langham Scholar Philip Wandawa’s Hope for Uganda”

  1. Rev.Peter Ndamba say(s):
    June 26th, 2008 at 2:48 pm

    Bless the Lord for his great work in your lives thanks for all what you are doing for our African Natiosns.

    Love you all for your Great effort may the Lord bless you indeed.Pray for my Country and Nation and all the people of Zimbabwe.

  2. Edward Kibirige say(s):
    July 10th, 2008 at 7:33 am

    Best of luck in your studies and Godspeed

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