In 2010, Dr. Peter Briggs, a Theology professor at Trinity Theological Seminary Southwest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was asked by one of his students, a Kenyan, if he would package the contents of his theology course into a pastoral training curriculum for pastors in Kenya who had no possibility of attending seminary. Dr. Briggs agreed and asked his daughter, Ruthanne Hamrick, who had a Masters in Biblical Counseling from Trinity, to assist him. His wife, Rosemarie Briggs, played an essential role in the development of the materials as well.
In 2011, the three of them traveled to Kenya and provided Part 1 of the training: Theological Foundations. The following year, they worked on developing Part 2, The Gospel of the Kingdom, returning to Kenya to offer the two levels of training. Part 3, The Gospel of God, was subsequently developed. Dr. Briggs and his wife traveled to Kenya most every year until his death in 2019.
The objective of the in-person training was to equip participants with an overview of the concepts. From there, they are established in small study groups where they work through the contents thoroughly. When the material is mastered, they receive certificates. There is also a Trainer of Trainers program by which interested participants are trained to become facilitators.
As Dr. Briggs’ health declined, he asked his daughter, Ruthanne Hamrick, to take the helm as Theological Director in April, 2019. He passed away that June. This was a time of great change and instability for the ministry, a pruning season. God provided a new African Director, Daniel Oyirwoth, a Ugandan. Daniel has a passion for supporting women and children. He has expanded the ministry to include a Helping Hands branch which provides vocational training for single mothers, skills training, small business opportunities for young people living on the street, and educational scholarships for orphaned and at risk young women. With this component, students who embark on the discipleship training program are also taught to serve their communities in practical ways, bringing the Kingdom of God to the “least of these My little ones.” In this way, participants are formed into servant leaders who truly understand what it means to walk in the way of Christ and lay down their lives for the Body of Christ.
In 2011, the three of them traveled to Kenya and provided Part 1 of the training: Theological Foundations. The following year, they worked on developing Part 2, The Gospel of the Kingdom, returning to Kenya to offer the two levels of training. Part 3, The Gospel of God, was subsequently developed. Dr. Briggs and his wife traveled to Kenya most every year until his death in 2019.
The objective of the in-person training was to equip participants with an overview of the concepts. From there, they are established in small study groups where they work through the contents thoroughly. When the material is mastered, they receive certificates. There is also a Trainer of Trainers program by which interested participants are trained to become facilitators.
As Dr. Briggs’ health declined, he asked his daughter, Ruthanne Hamrick, to take the helm as Theological Director in April, 2019. He passed away that June. This was a time of great change and instability for the ministry, a pruning season. God provided a new African Director, Daniel Oyirwoth, a Ugandan. Daniel has a passion for supporting women and children. He has expanded the ministry to include a Helping Hands branch which provides vocational training for single mothers, skills training, small business opportunities for young people living on the street, and educational scholarships for orphaned and at risk young women. With this component, students who embark on the discipleship training program are also taught to serve their communities in practical ways, bringing the Kingdom of God to the “least of these My little ones.” In this way, participants are formed into servant leaders who truly understand what it means to walk in the way of Christ and lay down their lives for the Body of Christ.
Daystar Africa has 6 full-time employees in Africa and an equal number of volunteers.
Daystar Institute / NM, Inc. is a (501)(c)(3) tax exempt entity in New Mexico in 2014. We are affiliated with Noah Webster College (NWC) and Trinity Southwest University (TSU).
Limited degree and certificate programs are available in conjunction with our affiliates, NWC and TSU.
Daystar Institute / NM, Inc. is a (501)(c)(3) tax exempt entity in New Mexico in 2014. We are affiliated with Noah Webster College (NWC) and Trinity Southwest University (TSU).
Limited degree and certificate programs are available in conjunction with our affiliates, NWC and TSU.
You may learn more about our work in Africa under the direction of Daniel Oyirwoth by visiting their website at www.daystarinstituteafrica.org