Samuel Kobia
Encyclopedia
Rev Dr Samuel Kobia is a Methodist
clergy
man and the first African to be elected General Secretary (2004–2009) of the World Council of Churches
(WCC), a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and local churches representing a Christian population of over 590 million people. In 2010, Rev Kobia was appointed Ecumenical Special Envoy to Sudan by the All Africa Conference of Churches
(AACC). Kobia is married to Ruth, and they have two daughters, Kaburo and Nkatha, and two sons, Mwenda and Mutua.
, Kenya), where he graduated with a diploma in Theology in 1971.
to study urban ministry. His interest in urbanization and its impact on African cities lead him to continue further exploration in this field. He applied and was accepted to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology
where he graduated with a Masters in City Planning (MCP) in 1978. His thesis paper for his Master's is titled Origins of squatting and community organization in Nairobi.
In 1978, after graduating from MIT, Kobia and his family moved to Geneva, Switzerland to take up the post of Executive Secretary for Urban Rural Mission at the World Council of Churches (WCC). Kobia spent most of his career at the WCC, he would eventually head the international organization from 2004-2009.
In 1993, Rev. Dr. Kobia earned a Doctor of Divinity (honorary degree) from the Christian Theological Seminary
in Indianapolis.
In 2000, he spent a sabbatical year as a fellow at the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life at Harvard Divinity School
, Harvard University
.
(NCCK). Three years later, in 1987 he was elected General Secretary of NCCK. He served as General Secretary from 1987-1993. Under his leadership, the NCCK was vocal about the need for multi-party polictics in Kenya and campaigned against repression during the Moi era.
In 2005, he rejected the accusation of anti-Zionism
against the WCC and stated that anti-Semitism is a "sin against God and man" and "absolutely irreconcilable with the profession and practice of the Christian faith," quoting from the first assembly of the WCC in Amsterdam
in 1948. He has nevertheless been critical of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, calling it "a sin against God".
The same year, he paid a tribute to Pope John Paul II on behalf of his efforts for ecumenism.
Rev Dr Sam Kobia served as General Secretary for one term resigning in 2009. Kobia's resignation come as a surprise to the Central Committee, who stated that he had their "full support" despite harsh criticism from Rt Revd Martin Hein.
In 2010, Rev Kobia was appointed Ecumenical Special Envoy to Sudan by the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC). Rev Kobia has deep knowledge of Sudan having worked with the late John Garang
in 1990 when the WCC set up peace talks between the mainstream SPLM/SPLA led by John Garang and the SPLM/SPLA United led by Riak Machduring. Rev. Dr. Kobia, led the six-month long talks, which were sponsored by the National Council of Churches of Kenya and the People for Peace of the Catholic Church in Kenya, with technical assistance from Nairobi Peace Initiative-Africa. In this current post, he continues his role as peacemaker and global leader.
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
man and the first African to be elected General Secretary (2004–2009) of the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
(WCC), a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and local churches representing a Christian population of over 590 million people. In 2010, Rev Kobia was appointed Ecumenical Special Envoy to Sudan by the All Africa Conference of Churches
All Africa Conference of Churches
All Africa Conference of Churches is an ecumenical fellowship that represents more than 120 million African Christians in 169 national churches and regional Christian councils....
(AACC). Kobia is married to Ruth, and they have two daughters, Kaburo and Nkatha, and two sons, Mwenda and Mutua.
Early life
Sam Kobia grew up in a rural home in Meru, eastern province of Kenya, where he completed primary and secondary education under the British colonial system. His ecumenical career began with his studies at St Paul's United Theological College (LimuruLimuru
Limuru is a town in central Kenya. It is also the name of a parliamentary constituency and an administrative division. Current 2004 population is about 4800....
, Kenya), where he graduated with a diploma in Theology in 1971.
Study and work abroad
Kobia then moved to Chicago and enrolled in the McCormick Theological SeminaryMcCormick Theological Seminary
McCormick Theological Seminary is one of eleven schools of theology of the Presbyterian Church . It shares a campus with the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, bordering the campus of the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois...
to study urban ministry. His interest in urbanization and its impact on African cities lead him to continue further exploration in this field. He applied and was accepted to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
where he graduated with a Masters in City Planning (MCP) in 1978. His thesis paper for his Master's is titled Origins of squatting and community organization in Nairobi.
In 1978, after graduating from MIT, Kobia and his family moved to Geneva, Switzerland to take up the post of Executive Secretary for Urban Rural Mission at the World Council of Churches (WCC). Kobia spent most of his career at the WCC, he would eventually head the international organization from 2004-2009.
In 1993, Rev. Dr. Kobia earned a Doctor of Divinity (honorary degree) from the Christian Theological Seminary
Christian Theological Seminary
Christian Theological Seminary is an ecumenical seminary related to the Christian Church . It is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and provides eight degree-level education courses...
in Indianapolis.
In 2000, he spent a sabbatical year as a fellow at the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life at Harvard Divinity School
Harvard Divinity School
Harvard Divinity School is one of the constituent schools of Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States. The School's mission is to train and educate its students either in the academic study of religion, or for the practice of a religious ministry or other public...
, Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Return to Kenya
In 1984, Kobia returned to his home country to serve as Director of Church Development activities at the National Council of Churches of KenyaNational Council of Churches of Kenya
The National Council of Churches of Kenya , is a fellowship of Protestant churches and Christian organisations registered in Kenya...
(NCCK). Three years later, in 1987 he was elected General Secretary of NCCK. He served as General Secretary from 1987-1993. Under his leadership, the NCCK was vocal about the need for multi-party polictics in Kenya and campaigned against repression during the Moi era.
Global Leadership
From Kenya, he returned to Geneva, Switzerland in 1993 to serve as Executive Director of WCC's Unit III - Justice, Peace and Creation. In 2003 he was elected General Secretary; his election was received with endorsement by global peers. During his acceptance speech he quoted the African proverb "If you want to walk fast, walk alone; but if you want to walk far, walk together". In this spirit, he worked to promoted greater unity in the ecumenical movement through collaboration and dialogue.In 2005, he rejected the accusation of anti-Zionism
Anti-Zionism
Anti-Zionism is opposition to Zionistic views or opposition to the state of Israel. The term is used to describe various religious, moral and political points of view in opposition to these, but their diversity of motivation and expression is sufficiently different that "anti-Zionism" cannot be...
against the WCC and stated that anti-Semitism is a "sin against God and man" and "absolutely irreconcilable with the profession and practice of the Christian faith," quoting from the first assembly of the WCC in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
in 1948. He has nevertheless been critical of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, calling it "a sin against God".
The same year, he paid a tribute to Pope John Paul II on behalf of his efforts for ecumenism.
Rev Dr Sam Kobia served as General Secretary for one term resigning in 2009. Kobia's resignation come as a surprise to the Central Committee, who stated that he had their "full support" despite harsh criticism from Rt Revd Martin Hein.
In 2010, Rev Kobia was appointed Ecumenical Special Envoy to Sudan by the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC). Rev Kobia has deep knowledge of Sudan having worked with the late John Garang
John Garang
John Garang de Mabior was a Sudanese politician and rebel leader. From 1983 to 2005, he led the Sudan People's Liberation Army during the Second Sudanese Civil War, and following a peace agreement he briefly served as First Vice President of Sudan from January 2005 until he died in a July 2005...
in 1990 when the WCC set up peace talks between the mainstream SPLM/SPLA led by John Garang and the SPLM/SPLA United led by Riak Machduring. Rev. Dr. Kobia, led the six-month long talks, which were sponsored by the National Council of Churches of Kenya and the People for Peace of the Catholic Church in Kenya, with technical assistance from Nairobi Peace Initiative-Africa. In this current post, he continues his role as peacemaker and global leader.
Selected Publications
Rev Sam Kobia has written numerous papers and articles on Africa, peace and ecumenism; he is the author of the following books:- Called to the one hope: a new ecumenical epoch (2006)
- The courage to hope: the roots for a new vision and the calling of the church in Africa (2003)
- Why you should vote (1992)
- The old and the new NGOs: appraoches to development (1985)
- The origins of squatting and community organization in Nairobi (1978)