our roots

How Daystar
transformed me
By Jamleck Wairimu
My coming to Daystar University was the best miracle of my life.
I had been invited to a friend’s graduation ceremony for the
class of 1998, when I heard about Daystar University. Two
months later, I applied for admission to pursue a degree in
Communication and received my acceptance letter in less than two weeks.
Upon enrolling for classes, I realized that there was something unique with
the syllabus. I was introduced to several Bible courses as well as general
education courses that helped shape my worldview. Within one year of my
study, I had been introduced to people from across Africa and beyond. I got
to learn different cultures and languages. The foundational courses had a
deep influence on my personal character, and this influence triggered my
leadership traits, which had been dormant for long.
With the help of two other friends, I took the initiative to start Pioneer
Fellowship (PF), named after Pioneer Hostel, which was off campus near
the Daystar borehole. Within a short time, the fellowship was a formidable
force of 40 students meeting once a week at the basement of the university
library. Apart from Involvement, the student newspaper that attempted to
bridge the university with surrounding communities, PF was key in weekend
outreaches in nearby Kimongo and Kinanie villages, which were poverty
stricken, and marked by broken relationships in various families. We
succeeded in planting a Church in Kinanie, which thrived long after several
of us had exited from Daystar.
Participating in as the university’s Evangelism Choir, Debate and
Environmental clubs helped me shape my people-skills as well as group
dynamics. Thereafter, I was privileged to acquire a work-study sponsorship
from the university.
It was while doing work-study that I learnt to humble myself and serve
others. As a result, I felt challenged to offer myself as a candidate for
DUSA Vice President in 2000, which I won. I served till May 2001. Within
three months of concluding my studies on November 22nd 2001, the
Lord blessed me with an opportunity to pursue a Master’s in Business
Administration degree at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode
Island, in the United States. It was for this reason that I graduated in
absentia alongside the Class of 2002.
My training in Daystar has produced the Servant Leader in me. It
continues to influence all levels of my decision making. It has also opened
my horizon to see myself not as a job seeker but as a job creator. As an
entrepreneur, I wake up every day knowing that I am my own boss and that
my only limitation is me. With this in mind, I have no worries about my job
security as it is assured as long as I am willing to sacrifice time to build my
own business.
I have also discovered that serving God whole heartedly is very fulfilling.
I was recently ordained as a Minister of the Gospel and am currently
serving at Emmanuel Christian Church in Rhode Island, U.S.A as senior
pastor.
Without my training at Daystar, I would never have discovered that I was
created to thrive and dominate the world.
DaystarConnect 2015 • 37