A student who graduated from Melvin University three years ago recently informed me that he has planted a church. This was meaningful to me because three years have now passed since the university was inaugurated in 2021. As our first graduates begin to move forward, questions about their direction and careers naturally emerge.
In fact, there are three major paths that seminary graduates may consider. Interestingly, these are similar both in Korea and in Africa: going to graduate school, planting a church, and serving in a parachurch ministry.
None of these paths is easy. Personally, at my age, I would not be able to start something like this from the beginning. But for young graduates, these are real issues that they must face with their whole lives.
First, going to graduate school
For many seminary students, graduate school seems to be the final step toward becoming a professor or pursuing an academic career. In Kenya, a person can become a university professor with a master’s degree. Even Melvin University can employ professors who hold a master’s degree.
However, continuing into a master’s program is not easy because tuition is expensive. Compared with Korea, the tuition may seem relatively inexpensive, but for an ordinary Kenyan family, it can still be practically impossible.
For example, approximately 95 percent of our Melvin University students study with scholarships. Without outside support, many of them would not even be able to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
I once looked at another university and noticed that it had an enormous number of students. Kenya has national, public, and private universities, so I wondered how a public university could accommodate so many students. When I looked more closely, I learned that only about seven out of every 1,000 students paid their own tuition
. The other 993 students were supported by the government because it was a public university.
I even thought about whether Melvin University could someday become a public university. But I was told that this would be almost impossible because our university is located in a very rural area. Therefore, for now, we have no choice but to continue as a private university and depend on outside support.
Second, planting a church
The second path is church planting. This is also not easy.
As in Korea, Kenya already has many churches. I have heard that the Kenyan church situation was somewhat similar to Korea in the 1950s and 1960s. At that time, if someone was passionate about the church and devoted himself to prayer and ministry, he could sometimes become a pastor without extensive theological education. Many people then began planting churches.
As a result, there are many churches today.
But church planting is becoming increasingly difficult because the cost of renting a church building has risen significantly. One alternative is to lease land for a long period and construct a simple temporary building for worship and ministry.
For students who have already had difficulty paying for their education, however, preparing financially for church planting is extremely challenging.
I have seen churches that have continued their ministry for years with nothing more than brick walls. They cannot afford to install windows or even complete a proper roof. Yet they continue to worship and serve the Lord.
That is the reality many of our graduates face.
Third, parachurch ministry
The third option is parachurch ministry.
This is the path I especially emphasize to our students.
Parachurch ministry begins with a vision. There are many training centers and Christian organizations in Africa, but I do not think enough people have had the opportunity to learn what parachurch ministry really is—its meaning, philosophy, structure, and strategy.
Because they have not been exposed to it, their understanding and expertise in this area are often limited.
That is why I try to introduce our students to the concept of parachurch ministry. I want them to understand that serving the Lord does not necessarily mean becoming the pastor of a local church. There are many ways to build the Kingdom of God.
A graduate may serve through education, leadership development, discipleship, missions, community development, training, or other specialized ministries. A parachurch organization can begin with a God-given vision and develop according to the gifts and opportunities God provides.
Other possibilities
There are also other possible paths. A graduate may think about establishing a seminary or becoming a missionary.
Establishing an accredited seminary, however, is almost like picking stars from the sky. It requires enormous resources, qualifications, facilities, and government approval.
Therefore, given the current situation in Africa, some may begin with a small theological training center instead.
Such schools can be relatively easy to establish and can provide opportunities for people who cannot afford formal theological education. Students appreciate the opportunity to study theology without paying expensive tuition. They may receive certificates or diplomas, even though these programs are not necessarily connected to formal ordination.
For many students, however, simply having the opportunity to study God’s Word is already a great blessing.
Praying for the future.
Now we are beginning to see the fruit of Melvin University. The first graduates are stepping into their own ministries. One has already planted a church.
This is only the beginning.
Whether they go to graduate school, plant churches, serve in parachurch ministries, establish theological training centers, or go out as missionaries, I pray that each graduate will discover the path God has prepared for him or her.
Their future is not simply about finding a career.
It is about finding God’s calling and faithfully responding to it.
I may be getting older, but I am grateful to see younger people beginning the work that I can no longer begin myself.
My prayer is simple:
May the grace of the Lord continue to guide our graduates, and may their lives become instruments for building His Kingdom wherever He sends them.