Traditionally when one thinks of a missionary, they probably think about an American or Westerner journeying to the dark jungles of Africa or Asia, delivering the gospel.
However, Samson Gitau, director of the Barth House Anglican/Episcopal College Ministry, that is not true.
TroyAnne Polopoulos, co-director of River's Edge at The U of M, said Gitau's decision to come to The University of Memphis is a positive addition.
"He has brought diversity to our campus, strong scholarship from the classes he teaches and is a valued member of religious staff group," Polopoulos said.
The Anglican/Episcopal Student Ministry has been on campus since 1959. Barth House is actually located as part of Saint Theodore's Chapel on Patterson Avenue.
According to the West Tennessee Diocese webpage, the goal of Barth House is "To serve, support and equip students, staff and faculty to live and practice faith in diverse campus communities, in worship and proclamation of the word of God by word and example."
The Rt. Rev. James Coleman, second Bishop of the West Tennessee Diocese, said Gitau's election was unusual.
"Of all the candidates interviewed, with a committee comprised of mainly students and faculty, it was a unanimous vote to extend the invitation to Gitau to take over the campus ministry," Coleman said.
This campus ministry comprises not just The University of Memphis, but Rhodes College, Lemoyne-Owen College and Christian Brothers University.
Both Coleman and Polopoulos said Gitau is an example of the diversity in the Anglican faith.
"Samson proves the Anglican faith crosses boundaries and borders," Polopoulos said. "He shows that the Anglican faith and Christianity is not just an American belief."
"He is a perfect example of the inclusiveness of the Anglican faith," Coleman said.
In addition to being a campus minister for four colleges and a faculty member teaching Sacred Hebrew Texts this semester, Gitau is an accomplished author. He has written the highly-acclaimed, We Are All In The Same Boat which talks about how humanity is bound together, -- using the biblical story of Jonah to illustrate this point.
Gitau also likes to bring diversity to The U of M. Recently he began a series of services at 6 Sunday evenings at Saint Theodore's Chapel.
To kick-off this series, Gitau held a service Sunday as it would have been in his native Kenya. Part of the service was conducted in Swahili and the free dinner that always follows Sunday services was traditional Kenyan fare, including Kenyan coffee, a dish of chicken and peas and pita bread.
Born in 1951 in Muranga when Kenya was still a colony, Gitau attended a British-run school. In 1960, he experienced one of the greater moments in his life when he was confirmed into the Anglican faith. Three years later Gitau experienced another life-changing event when he saw Kenya -- after a brief struggle -- granted independence. Led by Dr. Jomo Kenyetta, Gitau's homeland became a nation.
Gitau came to America in 1981, to attend Yale University. After graduation, he returned to Kenya in 1985. In 1989, he decided to return to Boston, Mass.
Gitau and his wife of 25 years, Lillian, are the proud parents of six children -- three sons and three daughters. One son and daughter attend The University of Memphis.
"It has been such an experience to come to The University of Memphis," Lillian said. "We have really enjoyed this experience. It's been exciting, as well as a learning experience."
