Hardin-Simmons Hosts Reverends from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa

(ABILENE, Texas)–In the past months, Hardin-Simmons University has continued the development of its partnership with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). Beginning in May, visitors from Kenya and Hardin-Simmons have taken turns traveling to learn about one another. Most recently, three reverends from the PCEA flew to Abilene to attend a special luncheon and meetings with several campus departments on Oct. 15 and 16.

PCEA Luncheon

Upon arriving on the Hardin-Simmons campus, the PCEA reverends joined a group of select campus leaders for a luncheon in Moody Student Center. Master of Divinity student and Global Engagement Ambassador Kisemei Kupe offered an opening prayer before President Eric Bruntmyer invited attendees to begin eating while he presented his opening remarks.

During the meal, attendees viewed an inspiring, educational video about James B. Simmons, an abolitionist minister who partnered with merchants, ranchers, and pastors to begin Simmons College, later Hardin-Simmons University, in 1891.

Associate Vice President for Marketing and Global Engagement Grey Hoff speaks at a PCEA church service this summer.

The video featured several notable faculty and staff members, including former Vice President for University Mission and Strategic Vision Dr. Travis Frampton, who posed the questions, “What do you do with all your knowledge?” and “Do you take it and use it to inspire others?”

Other HSU faculty members highlighted the power of education, specifically that enlightened by Christian faith and values. Dr. Kelvin Kelley, associate professor of theology, explaied that “education provides the lens to realize our full humanity.”

Furthermore, Dean of General Education Studies Dr. Laura Pogue clarified that “education that was rooted in the heart of Christ is powerful enough to change the hearts of humans.”

A copy of this video can be viewed online on HSU’s Youtube page.

Connection to Kenya

After the video, President Bruntmyer stood once again to address the blooming partnership between PCEA and HSU. “At Hardin-Simmons, our goal is to do what God called us to do in the first place,” he said before he explaining the many ways HSU has previously connected with Kenya.

The example given by Bruntmyer is that of an alumnus he recently met whose daughter resides in Shreveport but travels for medical mission work in Kenya. This connection to the eastern African country is only one example of a rapidly expanding group network.

Members of the HSU cross-country team enjoy a safari excursion during their trip to Kenya in late June.

Another connection is alumnus Pete Ondeng, a 1982 HSU graduate and 2019 Hall of Leaders inductee who came to Abilene from Kenya in 1978. Upon graduating, Ondeng worked in the US for a few years before returning to his home country to work in economic development and politics.

Another notable HSU figure with a strong connection to Kenya is Kupe. Three years ago, Associate Vice President for Marketing and Global Engagement Grey Hoff sat down with Kupe to discuss ministering to Kupe’s people in Kenya. Throughout this process, Kupe has served as a vital connection between HSU and PCEA.

Neighbor in Need

After visiting a dentist’s office with very little equipment, Kupe noticed his country’s shortcomings regarding the available medical technologies. When Hardin-Simmons built the new Fletcher Fitness Center, Kupe remembered a request a Maasai elder asked of Kupe before he left his home country.

HSU President Eric Bruntmyer smiles with a Kenyan man in a headdress while holding a traditional Maasai shield.

“We have sent many of our people to America, and they forget about us,” remarked the elder. “Don’t forget about us. Anything good you see, bring it back and connect it with us.”

Kupe had the idea to donate HSU’s old gym equipment, as well as an array of medical equipment from the College of Health Sciences departments to the people of Kenya.

“I want to see HSU and the members of Kajiado Country work together in raising students and empowering people in my country,” Kupe said. “I have a lot to give back to HSU. HSU has given me more than I expected. I feel like I belong here, but I want to give back to my country.”

HSU has partnered with Global Samaritan Resources to donate surgical equipment, wheelchairs, exam beds, and waiting room chairs, along with the gym equipment left from the Fletcher Fitness Center.

Continuing Partnership

Locals welcome HSU representatives to Kenya with several traditional dance numbers.

The luncheon ended with a time of discussion, where both the PCEA representatives and leaders from HSU’s health science programs discussed ways in which the two could help one another. Over the following day, the representatives visited the Physician Assistant and Physical Therapy departments, as well as the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing, to discuss their ideas further.

In May, several HSU leaders traveled to Kenya to meet with the deputy governor, director of social services, and chief officer of medical services of Kajiado County, Kenya. From June 25-July 5, the HSU cross-country team also traveled to Kenya to train with world-renowned Kenyan runners and to participate in a community service project through the AIC Childcare Center, where they aided children with disabilities.

During the cross-country trip, representatives from the department of physical therapy explored possible mission trip opportunities for 2020. Both the physician assistant and nursing programs are exploring international mission work in Kenya, as well.

Presbyterian Church of East Africa

The PCEA was founded in 1891, coincidentally, the same year as Simmons College. Scottish missionaries, invited by the Imperial British East Africa Chartered Company, aimed to bring Christianity to the Kamba, Maasai, and Kikuyu peoples of Kenya.

Today, PCEA encompasses 49 Presbyteries with 320 Parishes, 48 Nendeni areas and 24 Outreaches, over 1,000 schools, 250 private academies, a university, several colleges, and three missions hospitals. More than 4.5 million church members embrace four main mission pillars: evangelism and church growth, education, healthcare, and water and sustainability.

“Furthermore,” according to the PCEA website, “it [PCEA] has its presence in Tanzania, Uganda and is also spreading to Burundi, Rwanda and Southern Sudan among other countries, far and near, where there is a large number of expatriate and diaspora members,” though the church’s headquarters remain in Nairobi, Kenya.