Statistical expert, sociologist, and historian of mission and world Christianity Dr. Gina Zurlo thoroughly documents the profound impact African women have had in advancing Christianity. In fact, Zurlo has concluded that the face of Christianity is an African woman.[1] Her research parallels the work of CBE in east and southern Africa. Those of you familiar with these regions have undoubtedly noticed the vibrant, elderly women dressed in white, walking along African’s dusty rural roads. Frequently seen at weddings, baptisms, and church gatherings, these female East African revivalists were Christ’s hands and feet on the ground. As keepers of gospel wisdom for their communities, scholars believe they’re the reason much of east Africa worships the risen Christ. African leaders today owe not only their faith but the wisdom with which they lead to these women, including the Rt. Rev’d Dr. Emily Onyango—Kenya’s first woman Anglican bishop.
A priest, professor of theology at Saint Paul’s University, and now Bishop of Bondo, Dr. Emily has partnered with CBE on projects over the years, most recently on a panel of scholars at the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS). Here, I had the pleasure of interviewing her. What follows are highlights from her 2024 interview at ETS, “How the East African Revival inspired Kenya’s first woman Anglican Bishop—the Rt. Rev’d. Dr. Emily Onyango.”2
MH: How did your vocation and calling evolve?
Emily: The greatest foundation for me was my family. They were lay workers in the church and great role models for ministry and leadership. My vocation began in Sunday school, because I admired how my Sunday school teacher taught and how she loved the children. I came to know Jesus as my personal savior at an Easter Sunday school session. I was also involved in the Christian Union, and my teacher was committed to her work. She taught from the book of Jeremiah. She had so much passion fighting for justice, and her example played a role in seeing myself as a person who also fights for justice. Bishop Okullu from Bondo ordained me as a priest. His mission was always about justice and equality. When I went to seminary, there were many debates on women in ministry. I was part of the East African Revival (EAR) and saw many women in leadership. The people we saw daily were these women. These leaders mentored me. My admiration was for my teachers who mentored me by example, and Bishop Okullu, who gave me opportunities and trusted me. He prioritized justice and gender equality. These people played a big role. If God calls you, you should respond to that call. These people mentored me and were role models. Ministry comes out of mentoring. Fighting for equality was most important [because] all of us are made in the image of God. When we’re called, we should respond.
EAR began when Africans were not involved in the church; the main agenda was to tell the [gospel] message to others as evangelists. What matters was your relationship with Christ and to share that with others. Women in the EAR planted churches, led churches, and modeled leadership for women today.
MH: What are your ministry interests today?
Emily: Gender-based violence is a crucial matter for Africans and all Christians. One issue is looking at how Scripture is used to reinforce women’s inferiority, used to justify women’s violation and the idea that women are not made in God’s image, and looking at how the church gives advice to women. If you are violated, women are told by their priest to stay in the marriage. This meant we needed to discuss gender-based violence. We also looked into early pregnancy. We worked with girls in schools, and considered poverty, the lack of teaching on sexuality, [assumptions] on the inferiority of women, and the church’s teaching on submission. Young girls are forced to respect men and elders. Now HIV/AIDS is also on the rise. This is an area I’m researching along with the resurgence of cultural practices like widow inheritance, which violates women’s dignity and economic viability. These practices force you to stay at home. Also, the resurgence of polygamy with many wives and concubines. [We’re] looking at how polygamy impacts family life and children. Another area is climate change and its impact on women in Africa. The people most impacted are women, but women are not included in these trainings. All people must be addressed in Africa. I try to focus on young women; I should mentor women as I was mentored.
MH: How did God nurture the soil in which your leadership flourished?
Emily: The issue of mentorship is key even in my life today. In Africa, we focus on women journeying together. I need people who work with me, who pray with me, who challenge me, and who encourage me. I think mentorship in leadership still plays a key role. I have to look for those mentors. Recently, we met as six women in Africa, and we realized we need each other for prayer and encouragement.
There is also an ongoing need for training and empowerment. I don’t know everything. For most of our trainings we have good academics but have a need for skills in administration, in counseling, managing, and communication . . . that’s the kind of nurturing and training we need. For me, trainings are very important. Conferences are also very important for learning. Listening to others who people take for granted, especially children and youth because they’re very honest. Being well educated, mentored, and receiving ongoing training are key for growing leadership skills.
MH: Reflecting on your vocation, what obstacles did you face as a woman? And how did you negotiate these?
Emily: Stereotypes that people have about women in leadership are obstacles, with assumptions that women are emotional, weak, and inferior leaders. I navigated these by having my life open and transparent, which has helped others. Since I became a bishop, some were skeptical of women bishops. But in seeing my life and having discussions, we’ve upended bias and the misapplication of Scripture. I do much to read Scripture well. People fear what kind of ministry women will have so I try to be assuring and understanding of people’s point of view. People have formed opinions and imagine you’re there to fight them. From my experiences, I’ve learned to do more listening and trying to understand other people’s point of view.
MH: Who were your greatest allies/mentors in life and why?
Emily: When I was ordained as a priest by Bishop Okullu, he advised me to not forget the people in your life when you’re young as you progress up the ladder of leadership. There are the women in the revival movement; they’ve been authorities in my life. Some flatter me, but they tell me the truth and have authority and fellowship with me. They can tell me when I’m going wrong. They talk with me. We have a circle of women theologians and clergy in Kenya who are close and have worked together closely.
When consecrated as a bishop, I worked with other bishops to get them on my side as allies. In the House of Bishops, I work with men who are allies. We’ve been in ministry for years and have a similar calling, like Domnic Misolo, who was my student, but we work in the area of women’s equality. I work with academics, students, and fellow bishops, priests, and those who have been successful that I look up to.
MH: What has been the impact of EAR women in your life, on your vocation and on other women in your region?
Emily: Brought up in EAR, I had holy days, homes were opened to women affiliated as missionaries with the EAR. They attended camps with us, taught us, and were examples to us. Among them, we could confide when we had issues, and they could confide in us, talk to us. Many respected us. EAR characteristically is in close fellowship with other members of the revival. Many gave us opportunities to teach. We discuss fellowship together and talk. EAR women are a great support system; women pray for you, support you, are open to you, confide in you. EAR have been a crucial support.
Those who are a result of the work of the women leaders of the EAR also focus on individuals, such as when the revivals aimed at women in different regions. I remain part of them, both elderly and young. Some of the elderly come and sleep over. I’m also in touch with wider groups as I attend those meetings, and younger girls invite me to their meetings, for teachings and counsel.
EAR leaders have not changed their message and methods. They’re very slow to adopt and develop methods of talking to younger people. But most of us insist on appearing in their meetings and challenge some ideas that don’t encourage younger people. So many EAR rules are out of touch with younger people, like weird ideas about fashion. They have a controlling demeanor. Yet younger people have energy to serve God, and we can learn lots from younger people, which elderly people don’t seem to understand.
MH: Can you share how God is leading you and speaking in fresh ways with you today?
Emily: My major challenge in ministry to young people is they have challenges especially around mental health. There’s a big issue on how the church and family responds to younger people and related to that, how parents can deal with and engage younger people. It’s a major challenge to mentor younger people and their families. Some strategies include trying to organize fellowship and discussions to explore issues. We learn from each other about solving problems. I meet young people in small groups and hold ministry at the schools, not so much to talk, but to listen. [It’s a way to] “Put the bishop on the hot seat,” so they can express their ideas. [We need to] focus on talking with young people, not just talking to parents. Finally, to consider the role of prayer.
I come to this ministry, “Not by strength or might—power but by my Spirit.” (Zech. 4:6) For me, prayer is everything! It’s not my work, and I don’t have the strength or the knowledge, and unless God guides me, it doesn’t happen.
MH: Do you have vision for ministry at a wider level?
Emily: With so many languages, getting resources out is key.
MH: Thank you, Emily, that is our vision too. Grateful for you.
1 Gina Zurlo, “Why the Future of the World’s Largest Religion is Female—and African,” The Jerusalem Post, March 27, 2022, https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-702461.
2 Listen to CBE President Mimi Haddad’s full interview with the Rt. Rev’d. Dr. Emily Onyango here: The Face of Christianity? It’s an African Woman! with Rt. Rev’d. Dr. Emily Onyango.
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