Arts & Humanities

Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Ministry

The Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Ministry is a programme that equips students with knowledge and skills for Christian ministry in urban contexts. Offered at KAG East University, the programme prepares church leaders, pastors and ministry workers for effective service in rapidly growing urban communities.

The curriculum covers urban ministry foundations, urban sociology, church planting in urban contexts, community transformation, urban mission strategies, pastoral care in urban settings, youth ministry in cities, urban poverty and development, leadership for urban ministry, biblical foundations for urban mission, research methods and a research project. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for ministry in urban environments.

The programme responds to the rapid urbanisation in Kenya and the need for church leaders equipped to address the unique challenges of urban ministry. It provides a comprehensive foundation for those serving or planning to serve in urban churches, mission organisations and community development initiatives.

The programme is delivered through modular and residential modes, with lectures, field visits to urban ministry sites, community engagement exercises and a supervised research project. Students gain practical experience through field placements in urban churches and ministries.

Graduates pursue careers as urban pastors, church planters, ministry coordinators, community development workers, youth pastors and mission workers in urban churches, mission organisations and faith-based NGOs. They can also progress to a Master of Arts in Ministerial Studies.

Prospective students should have a bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The programme is suitable for church leaders and ministry workers seeking to strengthen their urban ministry expertise.

Duration: 1 year
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Modular, Residential
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 12 students
Award: Postgraduate Diploma

What you study

6 subjects

Urban Ministry Foundations and Urban Sociology
Church Planting in Urban Contexts and Urban Mission Strategies
Community Transformation and Urban Poverty and Development
Pastoral Care in Urban Settings and Youth Ministry in Cities
Leadership for Urban Ministry and Biblical Foundations for Urban Mission
Research Methods and Research Project in Urban Ministry

Modules

6 in the programme

Urban Ministry Foundations and Urban Sociology
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers urban ministry foundations, biblical foundations for urban mission, urban sociology, urbanisation in Kenya, urban communities and urban social dynamics.
Church Planting in Urban Contexts and Urban Mission Strategies
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers church planting in urban contexts, urban mission strategies, contextualisation, urban evangelism, urban church models and mission to the city.
Community Transformation and Urban Poverty and Development
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers community transformation, urban poverty, informal settlements, community development, holistic ministry and church response to urban social challenges.
Pastoral Care in Urban Settings and Youth Ministry in Cities
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers pastoral care in urban settings, urban family dynamics, youth ministry in cities, urban youth challenges, counselling and urban pastoral practice.
Leadership for Urban Ministry and Biblical Foundations for Urban Mission
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers leadership for urban ministry, urban church leadership, biblical foundations for urban mission, urban theology and leadership development for urban contexts.
Research Methods and Research Project in Urban Ministry
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers research methods for ministry, ministry research design and a supervised research project on an urban ministry topic, assessed through a written report and presentation.

Specialisations

Church Planting
Focuses on planting new churches in urban areas for careers as church planters.
Community Development
Specialises in urban community transformation for careers as community development workers.
Youth Ministry
Focuses on ministry to urban youth for careers as youth pastors.
Urban Mission
Specialises in mission strategies for urban contexts for careers in mission organisations.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on urban ministry foundations or urban sociology, followed by a case study on church planting in urban contexts or community transformation. Afternoon sessions may include a field visit to an urban ministry site, a discussion on urban poverty, or work on the research project. Students also engage in community engagement exercises and ministry reflection groups.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme addresses the unique challenges of ministry in Kenya's rapidly growing urban centres.
Graduates can progress to a Master of Arts in Ministerial Studies.
KAG East University offers scholarships to outstanding students.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study options.
Urban ministry careers are primarily within church and faith-based organisations with limited secular career options.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

The fine print

Not offered as an accredited PGD in Kenya; ANU's similar programme is not CUE-accredited.

KAG East University offers full scholarships to outstanding students. Students can also access HELB loans for postgraduate study. Churches and denominations may sponsor their members pursuing ministry training.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

2 recorded

KAG East University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 120,000Kenyan
Outstanding students at KAG East University
HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment
Written examination40% of the mark
Modular assessments covering urban ministry foundations, urban sociology, church planting and community transformation.
Ministry Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of ministry reflection papers, community engagement reports, church planting proposals and group presentations.
Research Project
Project30% of the mark
A supervised research project on an urban ministry topic, assessed through a written report and presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at KAG East University.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at KAG East University.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Urban Pastor
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides spiritual leadership in urban churches, preaches, leads worship, manages urban church programmes and supports congregation members in city contexts.
Church Planter
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 140,000
Plants new churches in urban areas, develops congregations, builds ministry teams and establishes sustainable urban church communities.
Community Development Worker
Low demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 160,000
Supports community transformation initiatives, manages development projects, engages with urban communities and facilitates holistic ministry in faith-based organisations.
Ministry Coordinator
Low demandKsh 36,000 to Ksh 155,000
Coordinates urban ministry programmes, supports church operations, manages ministry initiatives and facilitates partnerships in churches and mission organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as urban pastors, church planters, ministry coordinators and community development workers in urban churches, mission organisations and faith-based NGOs.

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Urban ministry is the same as regular church ministry.
Urban ministry involves unique challenges including urban poverty, migration, diversity, informal settlements, youth issues and community transformation, requiring specialised knowledge and skills.
Urban ministry is only for large city churches.
Urban ministry applies to all sizes of urban congregations and includes church planting, community development and mission in towns and cities of all sizes.
Ministry training doesn't need academic rigour.
Effective urban ministry requires understanding of urban sociology, community development, theology, leadership and research, all of which demand academic study and practical application.
Urban ministry is only about evangelism.
Urban ministry encompasses evangelism, discipleship, community development, social justice, pastoral care, advocacy and holistic transformation of urban communities.