Studying Among the People Who Formed Me 

My journey into ministry was acutely rooted in community, resilience and gratitude. I was raised at Fairfield Children’s Home in Mutare, Zimbabwe, alongside eleven other children. Growing up as an orphan shaped my understanding of faith not as an abstract idea, but as something lived through care, presence and collective responsibility. From an early age, I learned that circumstances do not determine destiny; that education and community can transform lives.

That conviction carried me to Africa University, where I earned a Bachelor of Science Honours in International Relations with distinction. Africa University was more than an academic institution to me, it became a family and a formative community that affirmed my potential and nurtured my sense of calling. My years working in the Office of Advancement and Public Affairs further extended my commitment to service, leadership and ethical responsibility. When the University supported me in pursuing a Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy while working, it strengthened my belief in institutions that invest holistically in people.

Today, I am profoundly grateful to continue this journey through the Master of Arts in Public Ministry at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, made possible through the generous scholarship I was offered. I receive this opportunity with utmost humility and sincere appreciation. Garrett’s belief in my calling and capacity not only eased the financial burden of graduate study, it affirmed my vocational direction at a critical moment in my life.

Moreover, the way Garrett provides remote access to degree programs has been transformative. Studying from my home context in Zimbabwe lets me pursue theological education without disconnecting from the community that shaped my faith, values and commitments. Rather than postponing my education due to geographic or visa constraints, I can engage fully in rigorous theological study while remaining grounded in the contextual realities of ministry and culture. This model ensures that my learning is proximately accountable to lived experiences, not an imagined future setting.

Studying theology embedded in my own community has expanded my sense of responsibility. Every text I read, every discussion I participate in, and every theological framework I encounter is tested against the questions, struggles and hopes of the people around me. This accountability keeps my education honest and relational. It also helps me approach ministry not as theory imposed from afar, but as praxis shaped by listening, self-effacement and solidarity.

After graduating from Garrett, my hope is to serve African communities through ministry that integrates theology, development, diplomacy and social justice. I envision working in faith-based development initiatives, theological education, and community leadership spaces where ethical reflection and practical engagement integrate. The skills I am developing—critical theological analysis, pastoral sensitivity, contextual interpretation and public ministry leadership—will enable me to serve communities navigating poverty, inequality, conflict, and climate vulnerability with compassion and structural awareness.

Garrett’s pedagogy is empowering. The Seminary’s emphasis on critical reflection, dialogue, and contextual theology generates space for students like me to participate fully, bringing knowledge shaped by the Global South into the learning community. The flexibility of online learning—combined with high academic standards and an accessible faculty—ensures that distance does not mean marginalization. I feel seen, heard, and intellectually challenged.

Studying alongside students from around the world further enriches my formation. Engaging diverse cultural, theological and vocational perceptions stretches my understanding of the global church and contributes to my appreciation for difference as a theological resource. These interactions remind me that ministry today is intrinsically global, relational, and interconnected.

Finally, in an epoch where United States visa processes can delay or derail educational plans, Garrett’s commitment to remote learning ensures my calling is not put on hold. I am grateful for an institution that recognizes these realities and responds with creativity, care and inclusion.

I carry this journey with gratitude—for Fairfield Children’s Home, Africa University, and now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Each community has shaped me, and through Garrett’s generosity and vision, I am being equipped to serve others with faith, integrity and hope.