The Calling
Melissa's Story
Growing up, I was surrounded by retired missionaries. I was fascinated by their stories and their willingness to give up everything to serve the Lord — in Bolivia, in India, and places far beyond my small world. Our church had a map with pins representing missionaries around the globe, and part of me always quietly wondered whether my name might one day belong on that map. As a child I didn't recognize the call on my life, but looking back, I can see the distinct trail the Lord was blazing — every step preparing me for what was ahead.
In 2003, I set foot on the African continent for the first time, in Kinshasa, DRC. I was exposed to a world so different from my own — full of beauty, complexity, and people who left a mark on me I couldn't explain. As I left, I knew deep in my bones that I would return to Africa. What I didn't realize is that it would take fourteen years.
In 2017, a friend invited me to join her in Uganda to disciple women pastors. That trip set me on a trajectory that dramatically altered my life. I began writing curriculum for discipleship training, and I realized quickly that if I was going to train these women the way God was calling me to, I needed more training myself. So I enrolled in a PhD program at Regent University. From 2017 to 2020, I wrote curriculum and traveled annually to Uganda, training alongside a team. Every year I learned and grew — spiritually, relationally, and academically.
The COVID pandemic — and my dissertation — kept me from East Africa until March 2023. In addition to returning to Uganda, that trip brought me to Kenya for the first time, where I taught at a pastors' seminar and stayed at Ebenezer Children's Home. I remember sitting in my room one afternoon, knowing to the depth of my bones that whatever else my post-PhD life held, training pastors in rural East Africa would be central to it. The pastors I was called to serve were faithfully shepherding their flocks with deep love for God and their communities — but with almost no access to the biblical and theological training that could strengthen and sustain their ministry. These weren't men and women lacking in faith or commitment. They were lacking resources the rest of the world largely takes for granted.
Later that year, I received an invitation to expand my teaching ministry into Tanzania. As I have partnered with local ministries across Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, I have learned as much as I have taught, and built friendships that have shaped my own walk with Christ as profoundly as any course I have ever taken.
EMG was founded in 2023 to give that work a more intentional home. It is built on the conviction that the local church — led by pastors who are rooted in Scripture, growing in Christlikeness, and equipped to make disciples — is God's primary instrument for the renewal of communities and nations. The Church in East Africa is growing faster than anywhere else in the world. Our small part is to make sure its leaders are not left to carry that growth alone.
Meet Our Ministry Partners
Pst. Paul and Vivian Ochieng
Pst. Paul and Vivian Ochieng
Pst Paul and Vivian are the directors of African Word Ministries in Siaya, KE. AWM is the parent ministry of Ebenezer Children's Home, Word Christian Center Church, and Word Academy. EMG is honoured to support their tremendously life-giving ministry in Siaya.
Dr. Steven and Agnes Kiruswa
Pst. Paul and Vivian Ochieng
Dr. Steven Kiruswa is the deputy minister of minerals for TZ, and the MP for the Longido district. Agnes, his wife, is the founder and principal of Meloc Christian School in Longido. Without their friendship and partnership in ministry, EMG's pastor's conferences would not happen.
East African Development
Partnering with African communities to deliver clean water, education, and spiritual growth in Longido, TZ.
Empowered Living Ministries
Empowered Living Ministries
Equipping leaders and communities in Siaya, KE, through biblical teaching and humanitarian efforts.
Women’s Discipleship
Empowered Living Ministries
Women’s Discipleship
Empowering women in Kireka, UG, to lead and serve through biblical training and community support.
EMG Board
Ruth Barasa
Catherine Bergethon
Catherine Bergethon
Ruth, who loves numbers and Christ, is an accountant by profession and is pursuing her doctorate in theology. As a native of Kenya, her passion and longing to see Christ’s love and life-giving Gospel experienced by those in East Africa and across the globe have made her feel honored, privileged, and “right at home” on EMG's board.
Catherine Bergethon
Catherine Bergethon
Catherine Bergethon
Catherine is an educational leader committed to nurturing students, supporting teachers, and advancing ministries that bring hope to communities globally. With a master’s in education and leadership experience across both schools and the legal sector, she brings thoughtful governance and a heart for ministry to the board.
Stephanie Clark
Catherine Bergethon
Stephanie Clark
Stephanie leads a high-performing real estate team, bringing visionary leadership, strategic insight, and a heart for developing people to EMG’s board. With decades of experience building systems, mentoring professionals, and guiding organizational growth, she is passionate about equipping leaders around the world to thrive in their calling and expand Christ’s Kingdom impact.
Rebekah Randall
Rebekah Randall
Stephanie Clark
Rebekah is a pastor’s wife, mother, and nurse who rejoices to support theological training and community building that strengthen the global church through EMG. Active in a variety of ministries in her Anglican parish, she counts it a joy to help others grow in Christ’s love and service.
Mac Davis
Rebekah Randall
Mac Davis
Mac loves Christ and serves actively in his local church. He holds a Masters of Christian Studies in Spiritual Theology and a BBA in accounting, and as a business owner brings 15 years of nonprofit bookkeeping and tax compliance experience as EMG's treasurer.