Nairobi pastor who loves sports and hip hop

Pastor Gowi, in charge of global partnerships and international ministries, is tasked with figuring out on how to establish their roots in 30 gateway cities around the world by forging strategic partnerships with other churches in those regions.

We met for juice at Java, Upper Hill. Off the pulpit, Gowi is gregarious, loud, fun and unconventional.

What exactly do pastors do between Monday and Saturday?

Take our church where we have some 48 full-time pastors and another 120 in training, not everybody will get a chance to preach. But generally, Monday is our day-off, like our weekend.

Tuesday is a time of meeting and reflecting on the weekend. Wednesday is for engaging our own team and planning for the week.

Thursday is for reading and preparing for the sermon. Friday is the day for final preparation for Sunday. Saturday we prepare for Sunday.

Church caters for many needs; people who are sick, people who need to talk to a pastor over issues they may be facing. We sometimes do house calls.

How are you guys misunderstood, in your opinion?

That we only know theology. (Laughs) Many of us come from different disciplines, I’m an economist by training, for instance, and there are other professionals who have chosen to preach. Another misconception is that we only work one day in a week. (Laughs).

Which of the Ten Commandments do you find yourself struggling with the most?

All of them.

Even number 10; thou shall not covet your neighbour’s property, wife and things?

Yeah. All of them. It’s a daily struggle to fulfil the Ten Commandments. I struggle with all, and of course, some more than others.

Have you ever been in such a jam that made you question God’s ability to get you out of it?

Even now as we speak I’m experiencing a crisis of faith. We are always challenged by different situations. There was a time when I broke my back, and I couldn’t walk.

You can’t help wondering why you are there and if you’ll ever walk again. There was a time of financial challenges, because of a decision I made believing God would provide, because this calling is about faith and trust but when you can’t provide for your family and you don’t want to borrow and get into debt because our biggest currency as pastors is credibility.

And so you have a crisis of faith; will God really be able to provide? You ask. I can say many more but this is going to go into a public forum so that’s enough. (Laughs)

Where is the equilibrium between meeting your obligations as a family man and as a man of God?

I can tell you, Biko, that this is a thankless job. (Laughs). A lot of stuff you do will never be recognised but for us, it isn’t about recognition or being celebrated.

We see it as a bigger picture, a higher calling. Even when it came to choosing a life partner I had to make that decision, she had to appreciate what is of value in order to live a life of purpose.

Is your wife also living in faith?

Yes, she is also serving in church, not a pastor though, she is an IT professional.

Does a pastor like you face the same challenges in marriage like everybody else?

My wife is a strong-willed, independent, ambitious and extremely bright woman. We are alike in many ways, and that causes challenges. There was a time in our lives when one was thriving and the other wasn’t, so yes, we have struggles, man…

You mean you also get the silent treatment like every other man?

(Laughs) Oh yes, I get the nil-by-mouth all right. We have those do-you-want-to-stay-in-this-relationship-or-not times. We have times of you aren’t-giving-me-enough-attention. We have those.

Do you still get nervous every time you walk up to that pulpit to face thousands of eyes staring back at you?

Let me tell you my brother, I always feel nervous. (Chuckles) You know, you are going before all these people who expect hope, to be encouraged, to be inspired.

People trust you, man! They trust you to give them wise counsel. But what helps with the nervousness is preparation and this only comes with prayer, research and a lot of reading.

What teachings or scriptures do you most enjoy preaching about?

I love the narratives. Stories in the Old Testament, maybe because of being an African, we like stories.

You threw your hat into the ring of politics during the last general elections [Dagoretti North] and lost in the nominations, why? Do you not believe anymore that you can change the world from behind the pulpit?

You know the misconception about us is that the clergy are the people to make the difference while it’s actually the people who should make the difference. Our work is to equip the people to make the difference. It’s there in the book of Ephesians 4:12.

My vocation is to inspire, and I responded to that. Why did I vie? Because many of the people who I think we have been preparing have not understood it, so I figured if I tried it, modelled it, people would say aha!

Because really, why can’t we model good leadership in public service? Evidently, I didn’t persuade them much. (Loud laughter).

What did that failure do to you as a candidate and to your faith?

It was a big lesson; it showed me what lives in the core for people; what people seek. My failure was because I wasn’t able to sell myself better. Then I was also politically naïve.

What is your greatest insecurity?

After sermons, I have always struggled with the question: did I really connect with my congregation? Was I faithful? Many times I never really know.

What are your interests away from the pulpit?

I love music; soul African music, jazz, hip-hop…I love hip-hop-

Even with the vulgarity of hip-hop? Talking of which, do you sometimes use curse words or catch yourself before you utter one?

Why would I use curse words? That’s a limited vocabulary. A “Ja’luo” like me, I have understood the English language so I won’t use the four-letter words to express myself.

I mean, if I want to say someone is stupid, I will say simply say they are asinine! (Laughs hard).

Do you keep fit?

No, man. (Sighs) I went to my doctor and he said I’m overweight. I guess I need to do something. By the way, I went for my prostrate exam the other day because, well, now I’m in my 40’s and it’s important to do that now.

Please make sure you write about this in your article, because men our age have to do the test…

Is it true that they invade your body? Did they do that to you, pastor?

(Laughs) No. No at this age, it’s not invasive. But as you turn 50 and above, they will have to feel your prostate gland. In your 40s you do the regular blood tests….

What do you consume the most apart from scriptures?

I’m the biggest fan of history, music and the arts. Geography as well, I’m fascinated by people too. I’m passionate about business and enterprise, I have a business partnership with someone, something we are running together. I love, absolutely love sports.

I played rugby in high school then club rugby after school. I’m the biggest sports buff! Mention any sport, any at all, and I will tell you a unique fact about it.

I love Gor Mahia; I’m part of the green army! I follow them sana. The one player I’d love to meet is Jeremy Onyango. I’m his big fan.

So like all Gor fans, what is written on the back of your jersey, wait, let me guess, “wuod Yesu”?

(Laughs) Ah, no, mine is “Mak’Odinge.” (Laughs hard). I go by Mak’Odinge - the son of Odinge!