Jeff’s Five-Fold Vision at EAST

When I came into the academic dean’s office at East Africa School of Theology (EAST) in January 2005 I sought God for His vision for my work.
Five areas of vision were birthed in my heart which I pray God will help me accomplish in my time as academic dean.
My vision for the office of Academic Dean is to fulfill the academic scope of the mission statement. The Academic Dean’s office will facilitate providing a Pentecostal training centre training servant leaders for strategic global impact for Spirit-empowered service.
Should God allow, I would like to stay in the office at least four or five years in order to bring some stability and see some hurdles overcome that cannot be accomplished in the short term. Five primary areas I would like to see accomplished are; the development of programs of study, the completion of the charter with the Commission of Higher Education, the expansion of the EAST extension programs, the advancement of our technology, and the preparation for the move to our new campus.
1. . The development of programs of study has already begun. EAST ES (board) has authorized and encouraged the Counseling major at EAST. I would also recommend EAST exploring the possibility of a Mission major and Church Music and Worship major. Each program will need to be driven by a need in the market (the church of Kenya) and the ability of EAST to provide a quality program within its vision.
2. The Commission of Higher Education charter has been part of the challenge of EAST for many years. Great strides have been made over the years to get us to the place we are today. We are closer than ever to receiving the charter. A concerted effort must be made to finish our work and obtain the charter. I want to see this happen during my time in office if God allows.
3. Next, I would like to see the expansion of the EAST BA program to extension sites across Kenya and possibly to East Africa. Beginning with a site such as ICC (International Christian Center) we could pilot a program that is mutually beneficial to EAST and the site. As the pilot is successful we could expand to sites in Mombassa, Kisumu and beyond. Modeled after our existing evening and interterm programs, the extension sites could provide needed quality training for ministers who are not able to come to our residential site.
4. The advancement of our technology is vital to EAST staying on the cutting edge in training ministers. I envision the day when every administrator and faculty has a computer that is networked together and connected to the internet. I envision the day we have sufficient computers for the students to use in the labs, study areas, and library. I envision offering computer classes to all of our full time students in the first year so they can become proficient before graduating.
5. Finally, I desire to help plan for the new campus in areas that concern academics. As the facilities are planned, foresight needs to be given to the needs of the academic side of the campus. I should like to contribute to this process in order to give our students, faculty and administration the greatest opportunities to accomplish what God has called us to do.
These goals are extensive and will take more energy than I can give alone, but with the team we have at EAST in the board, administration faculty and students, I believe they can all become a reality in the next four to five years.
I believe in EAST and the team God has assembled to carry his vision forward. I look forward to serving in this office should God allow me until these goals are accomplished.
6J’s