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Kenyan pastor Graduates from Army Chaplain School

(Rev. Kihato receiving his Diploma from the US Army Chaplain School Commandant, CH (Colonel) Smartt and CH (Major) Cline in the presence of the US Army Chief of Chaplains, CH (Major General) Rutherfold)

News Report by Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News, posted August 23, 2011

FORT JACKSON, SC_A Kenyan pastor in Boston has graduated as an US army chaplain after completing a Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course (CHBOLC) at the US Army Chaplain School at Fort Jackson, SC, opening the door for him to become an Army Chaplain upon completion of several other requirements.

Rev. Carl Phillip Kihato, pastor of the ANTOR Christian church based in Rockland Mass. Graduated on Friday 19th August 2011 in a colorful, army style ceremony attended by among others Rev. Dr. Joseph Kimatu, the President of Kenyan American Pastors’ Fellowship and Pastor of Tumaini Community Church, Springfield, MA who was accompanied by a small delegation from ANTOR Christian Church .

One of the many outspoken voices who advocates for clergy/Theological education and proper ministerial training and licensing for those aspirating to serve in ministry, Rev. Kihato started his course as an Army chaplain in June 2007 soon after joining the US Army.

The rigorous training saw the man of God stepping aside from the leadership of the ANTOR church when he was called up for military duty since May this year. He started off the summer with a temporary duty with the US Army Ranger Training Brigade at Fort Benning, GA.

However, Rev. Kihato took a short break to attend the recent ANTOR Christian Church’s funds drive on 3rd July which raised over $34,000 to help the Church buy a building/facility.
He them immediately proceeded to the US Army Chaplain School at Fort Jackson, SC to finish his Course at the US Army Chaplain School from which he just graduated.

Rev. Kihato right, and Rev. Dr. Joseph Kimatu, the President of Kenyan American Pastors’ Fellowship during the graduation ceremony at the US Army Chaplain School at Fort Jackson, SC

“I thank God for the opportunity to graduate from the US Army Chaplain School as a minister of the word. I hope to complete the master’s degree soon from Gordon Cornwell soon which will add to my knowledge of the word of God,” said Rev. Kihato while talking to Ajabu Africa News.

Also attending the colorful graduation was a long serving Member of the ANTOR Church’s Board of Trustees, Rev. Gideon Achi, who traveled with his wife from Ausbury Theological Seminary, KY.

The whole crew who took an over 17 hour road trip to South Carolina for the graduation was hosted at the lucrative Fort Jackson Inn, a US Army lodging facility at the Fort Jackson Army Base in SC.

The party also celebrated together over a buffet lunch at the Golden Corral Restaurant.

“It was a long trip but we enjoyed everything and it was worth it”, said Rev. Dr. Kimatu on a telephone interview with Ajabu Africa.

Rev. Kihato is the Senior Pastor of ANTOR Christian Church, a vibrant Pentecostal Church serving the growing Kenyan American Community in the South Shore area of MA.

He is a gifted man of God who has served in different churches and ministries in different capacities. He began his Christian ministry as a Youth Director & Evangelist with New Bethany Ministries & Churches. He later left that ministry and founded Hagios International Ministries which he served as Pioneer Director for a few years. He was then appointed an Evangelist in Charge of Schools and Colleges by Christian Prayers Church, Nairobi, a position he 3 held for two years.

He then joined New Covenant Gospel Church and planted a new church at Kangema Town in Central Kenya where he served for two years before relocating to the US. Rev. Phillip also planted a few more churches in the Central Province of Kenya, where he also served as Regional Overseer.

While studying at Daystar University, he served as the Chairman of the Missions and Outreach Team for one year. He is married to Mrs. Anne M. Phillip. He is the President of Holy Fountain Ministries Inc; the Co-President of Springs of Life Evangelistic Association; and the Vice-Secretary of Kenyan American Pastors’ Fellowship.

Rev. Carl Phillip Kihato told Ajabu Africa News that he was ordained on June 2006 by Bishop Shadrack Ochuodho of New Covenant Gospel Church.

He has been a Pastor for more than seven years and holds a bachelors degree in Biblical and Religious Studies from Daystar University, Kenya and is also currently pursuing a Masters at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.

The Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course (CHBOLC) course is the basic training required as a prerequisite, in addition to graduating from a recognized seminary, for one to qualify to be considered as an US Army Chaplain.

While Rev. Kihato was away, Rev. Joseph Nyamoki served as the Pastor of ANTOR Christian Church.

The ANTOR Christian Church (www.antabor.com) is located at 12 Church St, Rockland, Massachusetts.