STORIES
Faithfulness before visibility. The Kingdom of God is often established first in hidden places, through faithful builders, before it becomes visible publicly. These are some of those places, and some of those builders.
A FACILITATOR'S STORY
“Where you come from does not determine how far God can take you.”
Nicklix Ochieng Osumba · Pastor and Facilitator · Lodwar, Turkana County, Kenya
Nicklix on his graduation day. What once seemed like a distant dream became a reality.
The Osumba family at home in Turkana: Hensley, Nicklix, Hadassah, Shammah and Belinda.
Nicklix was trained under The Garden Apostolic Training Center, which has since grown into AltarStone Training Institute. His testimony below is published as he gave it.
My name is Nicklix Ochieng Osumba, a 29-year-old young pastor and facilitator serving in the remote Turkana region of Kenya. I am married to Belinda Asinyen, 26, and we are blessed with three children: Hensley Apiding, 5; Shammah Lokuruka, 3; and Hadassah Meyan, 19 months.
HOW I MET ALTARSTONE TRAINING CENTER
My journey with AltarStone Training Center is a testimony of how God can take an ordinary young man and give him a greater purpose.
Before I encountered AltarStone Training Center, I was doing different jobs to sustain my family. I worked with SunKing Solar Company as a sales and marketing agent and, at some point, as an electrician and solar installer. I also worked as a boda-boda rider in Lodwar, providing town transport and delivering people and parcels to support my family.
Although I was working hard, I carried a deeper desire in my heart. I wanted to serve God, become a missionary to hard and remote places, and understand the Word of God more deeply. I especially desired to know more about the Holy Spirit and how He could use my life for God's purposes.
One significant moment in my spiritual journey happened when we received the Holy Spirit at a pizza shop in Kitale. That experience increased my hunger for God and strengthened my desire to receive deeper spiritual and biblical training.
HOW ALTARSTONE TRAINING CENTER CHANGED MY LIFE
When I encountered AltarStone Training Center, it became more than a place of education. It became an instrument that God used to transform my life.
The classes changed the way I understood Scripture, ministry, leadership, discipleship and the work of the Holy Spirit. The training gave me knowledge, confidence, dignity and a renewed sense of purpose.
Most importantly, the training helped equip me to become an ordained pastor. What once seemed like a distant dream became a reality through God's grace and the opportunity to be trained.
Today, I am not only serving as a pastor but also as a facilitator at AltarStone Training Center, helping others receive the same kind of opportunity that transformed my own life.
TAKING THE TRAINING TO HARD PLACES
Our journey did not end in Kitale. We travelled to Kitale, where we encountered the school at Khoikoi Church, and through God's grace we were able to bring the training to Lodwar.
But God placed a greater burden in our hearts: to take ministry training to places where it is difficult to reach.
We have also taken the training to West Pokot, among a community with which the Turkana have historically experienced conflict. Our ancestors fought one another, there were raids, killings and many deaths, and the relationship between the communities carries a painful history.
For me, taking AltarStone Training Center there is more than taking classes to another location. It is a ministry of reconciliation, transformation and hope.
It shows that the Gospel can cross tribal boundaries and that Christ can bring people together where generations have experienced division.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO ME AS A YOUNG PASTOR
As a 29-year-old pastor serving in a remote region, AltarStone Training Center means a great deal to me.
Many young people in remote areas have a calling but lack access to proper biblical and theological training. AltarStone Training Center has shown me that where you come from does not determine how far God can take you.
The training has given me dignity, confidence, knowledge and the ability to serve God's people more effectively. It has taught me that ministry is not only about standing behind a pulpit. It is also about raising leaders, discipling believers, serving communities and taking the Gospel to difficult places.
OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL, LEAD AND DISCIPLE
Through AltarStone Training Center, God has opened doors for me to travel to different places, meet different people, lead others and disciple believers.
I have received opportunities that I could never have imagined when I was working as a boda-boda rider or a solar sales and marketing agent.
The Center has expanded my vision beyond my local community and helped me see God's mission beyond my immediate surroundings.
Today, I have the privilege of helping other students and leaders grow spiritually and academically. The young man who once travelled looking for opportunities is now being equipped and sent to create opportunities for others.
MY GREATEST TESTIMONY
My greatest testimony is that AltarStone Training Center did not simply give me a certificate. It helped shape my life, identity and ministry.
It helped transform me from a young man working different jobs to sustain his family into an ordained pastor, facilitator, leader and disciple-maker.
I believe God connected me to AltarStone Training Center for a purpose. My prayer is that this opportunity will continue reaching young people, pastors and leaders in Turkana, Kenya, Africa and beyond.
AltarStone Training Center has given me knowledge for ministry, dignity in service, courage to lead, and a greater burden for the nations.
I am grateful to God for this journey, grateful to those who believed in me, and grateful to AltarStone Training Center for being part of what God is doing in my life.
My story is still being written, and I believe the best is yet to come.
Told in his own words. Published with permission. Nicklix trained under The Garden Apostolic Training Center, now AltarStone Training Institute.