Esther Mombo

Esther Moraa Mombo (born 15 may 1957) is a female Kenyan Anglican theologian and a full professor of theology in the school of theology at St. Paul's University, Limuru.^[1] She is known for her research and teaching interests span in the fields of Church History with a focus on Mission History, Interfaith Relations and Theology, Gender Studies with a focus on African Women's Theologies, sexuality and HIV/AIDS ^[2] She is a gender activist, working with religious organizations on issues of Gender and how patriarchy affects full participation of women in church and society ^[3]. She is recognized as one of the leading 20th century Anglican theologian in a book "Twentieth Century Anglican Theologians: From Everlyn Underhill to Esther Mombo ^[4] She is the founder of the Tamar campaign in Kenya which acknowledges gender-based violence in society and empower churches to address it.^[4] She is a founder member of Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians St. Paul’s chapter in Kenya. The chapter started among students of theology and has grown to be a national chapter^[5] .

Early Life and Education[edit]

Esther Mombo was born on 15 May 1957 to Stanley Mombo Maikururi and Maria Vulimu Mombo ^[4] at Birongo Village in Kisii County, Kenya. Her father was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and her mother was a Quaker. However, she was brought up by a Quaker grandmother who she referred to as her first pastor and theological educator.^[6]

Mombo received a BD from St Paul's United Theological College (now St. Paul's University, Limuru) and an MPhil from the Irish School of Ecumenics of Trinity College Dublin. She returned to Kenya to teach at an Anglican bible college, where she became an Anglican herself.^[7] Mombo completed a PhD in 1998 at School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh as part of the Centre for the Study of Christianity in the Non-Western World.^[8][9] She wrote her PhD thesis on the topic "A historical and cultural analysis of the position of Abaluyia Women in Kenyan Quaker Christianity: 1902-1979."^[10]

Career Life and Leadership[edit]

Mombo went back to St. Paul's United Theological College, Limuru Kenya, (now St. Paul's University) in 1999 as a lecturer in historical studies and women's studies.^[4] Since then, she has held various administrative posts at St. Paul's University, Limuru,^[7] during a period when the institution moved from a theological college to a fully-fledged private ecumenical university.^[11] Mombo worked in top management at the same university for fifteen years, from academic dean to Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs (2007 to 2013). She is currently a Professor of Theology and Director of International Partnerships and Alumni Relations at St. Paul's University, Limuru.^[12]

She has worked as an external examiner for postgraduate students in several universities including African International University, Kenyatta University, Makumira University in Tanzania , Kwa Zulu Natal and Pretoria Universities in South Africa.^[1]

Mombo has served as a visiting professor at a number of academic institutions, including Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Bright School of Divinity at Texas Christian University, Graduate Institute of Theology at Yonseo University Seoul, South Korea, and the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGEST).^[1]

Mombo is a member of numerous ecumenical committees, including the World Council of Churches' Commission on Education and Ecumenical Formation the All Africa Conference of Churches' Advisor on Education,^[13] Friends World Committee of consultation ,^[4] American Friends Service Commission, Gianchere High School in Kisii County and Umoja High School in Kiambu County.^[1] Previously, she was a member of the Inter-Anglican Doctrinal and Theological Commission.^[14]

She has served as a trustee of Programme for Christian-Muslim relations in Africa (PROCMURA), member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians and the coordinator of East African region ^[3], installed as a Lay Canon Theologian at the Cathedral in 2017, and has served as a Lay Canon Theologian at Southwark Cathedral.^[14]

She is the founder of the Tamar campaign in Kenya which acknowledges gender-based violence in society and empower churches to address it.^[4]

Awards and recognition[edit]

Mombo has received honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from Virginia Theological Seminary (2007),^[13] Church Divinity School of the Pacific (2023),^[15] and her alma mater the University of Edinburgh (2023) ^[16] for her work of bringing to the fore issues of gender disparity and gender justice in Church and society.^[4]

Mombo is recognized as one of the leading 20th century Anglican theologian in a book "Twentieth Century Anglican Theologians: From Everlyn Underhill to Esther Mombo.^[4]

Anglican women in Africa: 'the priority is for life'[edit]

Women's ordination in Africa plays a vital role in helping to overcome gender inequality, poverty, violence and HIV/AIDS as 'it provides an important place for women to contribute to the wellbeing of people in society.

Works[edit]

• Mombo, Esther Moraa (1998). A historical and cultural analysis of the position of Abaluyia Women in Kenyan Quaker Christianity: 1902-1979 (PhD thesis). University of Edinburgh.
• Kabue, Samuel; Mombo, Esther; Galgalo, Joseph; Peter, C. B., eds. (2012). Disability, Society and Theology. Voices from Africa. Zapf Chancery. ISBN 978-9966-7341-7-4.
• Wafula, R. S.; Mombo, Esther; Wandera, Joseph, eds. (2016). The Postcolonial Church: Bible, Theology, and Mission. Borderless Press.
• Mombo, Esther; Nyiramana, Cecile (2019). Mending broken hearts, rebuilding shattered lives: Quaker peacebuilding in East and Central Africa. Quaker Books. ISBN 978-1-907123-95-5.
• Chirongoma, Sophia; Mombo, Esther, eds. (2021). Mother Earth, Postcolonial and Liberation Theologies. Fortress Academic. ISBN 978-1-9787-1161-7.
• Chitando, Ezra; Mombo, Esther; Gunda, Masiiwa Ragies, eds. (2021). That all may live! Essays in honour of Nyambura J. Njoroge. University of Bamberg Press. ISBN 9783863098117.
• Kaunda, Chammah J.; Longkumer, Atola; Ross, Kenneth R.; Mombo, Esther, eds. (2021). Christianity and COVID-19: Pathways for Faith. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-52229-7.

Further reading[edit]

• Corey, Emmy (2020). "Esther Mombo (1957–)". In Burns, Stephen; Cones, Bryan; Tengatenga, James (eds.). Twentieth Century Anglican Theologians: From Evelyn Underhill to Esther Mombo. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 217–225. ISBN 978-1-119-61118-9.
• Kwaka-Sumba, Truphosa; le Roux, Elisabet (2019). "African Women's Leadership: Realities and Opportunities". In Priest, Robert; Barine, Kirimi (eds.). African Christian Leadership: Realities, Opportunities, and Impact. Langham Publishing. pp. 135–154. ISBN 978-1-78368-751-0.

References[edit]