Oscar Lugusa was born in Machakos in Kenya’s Eastern Province. He grew up in different parts of the country and currently resides in Chavakali, Vihiga County. Vihiga County. His studies at Friends Theological College (FTC) in Kaimosi were an important turning point for him. In 2020, he received a scholarship through Langham, from which he has recently graduated, and he is currently teaching and equipping pastors in Kenya at FTC.
Reflecting on his early life, Oscar describes a difficult season of living a life of addiction and hopelessness. “I gave up my life to Jesus Christ twenty-seven years ago after a battle with a wayward life. After high school, it took five years of toiling doing menial jobs and living a hopeless life, so I resorted to drinking alcohol and smoking.” His transformation began when a Christian sister visited him during home outreach. “A sister who was doing home visitation sympathised with my wasted life, and prayed for me. I was filled with the Holy Spirit, and I remember praying a prayer of repentance. I decided never to turn back.” From then on, he committed himself to fellowship and service: “Later on, I decided to give up my life to serve God, humanity and all creation, and my life has never remained the same.”
One of the major challenges facing Kenya is unemployment. “A larger part of the population consists of the youths who, even with most of them having gone through advanced education, are unable to secure jobs after graduating. Recently, university lecturers went on strike, which brought university education to a standstill, causing further challenges.”
He also shares about harmful religious movements,“There have also been incidents of false teaching sects that have led to the breaking of families, and forceful fasting that has eventually led to loss of life. Not only that, but there are also new churches that pose a danger, especially to the masses who are easily swayed by questionable teachings. There continues to be a need to help Christians be grounded in sound biblical teachings that will prevent exploitation from rogue opportunistic preachers who sway masses for their selfish ambitions.”
Oscar learned about Langham’s doctoral support through his former principal at FTC while exploring funding options. Later, during a visit to Denver, Colorado, he met the Langham team in person.”I asked about support for doctoral studies, and I was encouraged to apply… My application was accepted, I was invited for an interview, and was awarded a scholarship in 2020 when I began my studies. That marked the beginning of my journey with Langham.”
From 2020 to 2025, Oscar pursued his PhD at the University of Birmingham. His thesis, A Study of African Christianity in the Post-Colonial Context: Examining the Growth and Development of Quakerism in Kenya, explored the history of Kenyan Quakerism within the global Quaker and African Christian post-colonial contexts, examining its historical, religious, spiritual, and theological roots. He shares, “The research also provides insights into the embodiment of Kenyan Quakerism in the African Christian context, defined by the contextualisation process that began with the planting of Christianity by missionaries, which was also defined by the interaction of the African and Christian religious backgrounds.”
Oscar now teaches at Friends Theological College in Kaimosi, training and empowering pastoral ministers, and he continues to write and research among Quakers in East Africa. He remains deeply grateful for the support he received throughout his doctoral journey. “I cannot imagine it working without Langham’s support… Completing my PhD successfully crowns it all. Langham has also helped expand my network in academia and forge new friendships. God bless Langham.” He adds, “When I look back and see how far I have come, it would not have been possible without the help of Langham, especially in my doctoral studies.”
Oscar holds deep hopes for his country. He prays for Kenyan and African leaders to foster good governance, and for the church to remain “the voice for the voiceless.” Oscar is now researching the role of British Quakerism in shaping Kenyan Quaker identity.
Please continue praying for Oscar in his teaching ministry and research work.. Please also pray for his wife as she studies special education, as well as for their four children.