My name is Michael Ogutu, a graduate of South Eastern Kenya University with a degree in Geology. I am the outgoing STEM staff in Nyeri CUs.

While interacting with the STEM Staff before me, I admired the remarkable quality of life they had cultivated. Their wisdom and ability to relate Scripture to everyday experiences fascinated me. I admired their consistent practice of Bible study and journaling and desired to join STEM for personal growth and societal impact. When the call to join STEM came through our CMF, I wholeheartedly accepted.

Serving with Nyeri-CUs and in the Mt. Kenya Region has been a transformative experience. I realized the importance of being grounded in the Lord as a ministry worker. Reading the Bible and developing Christian convictions have been crucial for providing sound guidance. STEM provided me with an opportunity to build my own library, read influential books, and develop spiritual disciplines. Through daily devotion, prayer, and studying my spiritual growth has been significant. Facilitating BEST-P sessions has enhanced my public speaking skills and deepened my exploration of the Scriptures.

STEM has fostered an appreciation for family in me, as I had the chance to connect with associates, share meals, and share experiences. I saw the friendship of the spouses, the intentionality of the parents, and their devotion to God. This left a lasting impression and memories that will stay with me.

Working with multiple Christian Unions posed challenges of availability and balancing involvement without leaving any of them feeling neglected. I was constantly aware of the needs of the CU members to interact more with me. To address this, I made sacrifices and prioritized one-on-one interactions with students, realizing that fellowship alone couldn’t provide the same quality time. Additionally, I experienced opposition and rejection from some institutions. Nevertheless, I persevered through consistency, continual lobbying, and being present for meetings and fellowships, as I trusted the Lord to intervene in His perfect timing.

I have developed resilience and the ability to overcome challenges. Through facilitating interactions with students, I have nurtured my public engagement skills. Working with a planner and practicing diligence has improved my decision-making and time-management abilities. Better communication skills and the acquisition of integrity have enabled me to address issues with gentleness and love, without fear. These valuable qualities and experiences will continue to shape my journey beyond STEM.

I am excited about applying the skills I have gained from STEM in the corporate world, particularly in data-driven decision-making, conflict management, and teamwork. I aim to excel in planning and time management, ensuring quality time for both friends and family. STEM has instilled in me a deep love and care for my current and future family and home.

The Lord has been gracious to me. I appreciate my teammates and team leaders at FOCUS for giving me an opportunity to be a student to learn and a leader to lead others. I am thankful for supportive partners has continually prayed for me and supported me financially. Thank you. Always replying to my prayer letter and requests. It’s always encouraging to hear, “I’m praying with you.” Baraka!