Browsing by Author "Nyongesa, Mahlon Juma"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

Faculty Artificial Intelligence Readiness in Adventist Higher Institutions of Learning in Sub-Saharan Africa
(Pan-African Journal of Education and Social Sciences (PAJES), 2025) Nyongesa, Mahlon Juma
This study investigated AI readiness using a quantitative descriptive design with a sample of 130 faculty members. Data from a self-constructed questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 4.0 for statistical treatment. Anchored on grit theory, the results show that the faculty members have a high level of AI readiness in terms of wellbeing and mental health, changing skill requirements, job automation and displacement, and low level of privacy issues. The independent samples t-test conducted to compare the AI readiness of faculty members aged 18 – 44 years and 45 – 64 years showed that younger faculty members were more ready for AI technologies than older faculty members. The Mann-Whitney U-test results and Cohen’s effect size revealed a significant difference in AI readiness for Protestants and non-Protestants, with Protestants having a higher level of readiness than their counterparts. On gender, the females had a higher level of AI readiness than the males. In terms of educational levels, postgraduate degree faculty members had a higher level of AI readiness than those with up to bachelor’s degrees.
Pastors’ Awareness of Clinical Pastoral Education in the Three Adventist Divisions in Sub Sahara Africa
(International journal of research and innovation in social science (IJRISS), 2025-10) Nyongesa, Mahlon Juma
The study investigated the level of Clinical Pastoral Education using a sample of 304 pastors in the East-Central Africa (ECD), West-Central Africa (WAD), and Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Divisions (SID) of the Adventist Church. Data from the self-constructed questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 4.0 for statistical treatment. The pastors in the three Divisions exhibited a high level of CPE awareness with WAD having a higher level followed by SID and ECD. They affirm that CPE is essential for enhancing pastoral ministry, improves the management of emotions, and enhances intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. This phenomenon could be explained by the fact that there’s an ongoing emphasis on Clinical Pastoral Orientation training on the continent as well as the presence of CPE training at AUA and Babcock. Concerning CPE training, ECD has 2.84%, WAD has 6.4% while SID has 3.91% of pastors that have taken at least a unit of CPE as of February 2025. In general, out of 7,585 pastors on the continent of Africa, only 302 representing 3.98% have at least one Unit of CPE as of February 2025. There is no significant difference in the level of CPE awareness when age is considered. The Adventist University of Africa (AUA) and other theological institutions to embrace the establishment of the CPE center as a continental training hub for graduate students in the theological seminary and integrate CPE into standard ministerial curricula. CPE be a must-do training for all seminarians. AUA-CPE center to source ministry partners to offer scholarships or donations to sponsor CPE participants. The 3 Adventist Divisions on the continent of Africa to examine denominational policies and collaboration with government agencies to strengthen the structural implementation of CPE. For future research, a moderated mediation study on the functionality status of chaplaincy facets and CPE across Africa would be interesting. A comparative study with other continents could highlight global best practices and provide a roadmap for scaling up CPE training across African divisions.
Pastors’ Level of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Sub Sahara Africa
(International journal of research and scientific innovation (IJRSI), 2025-10-23) Nyongesa, Mahlon Juma
The study investigated the Pastors’ level of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) using a descriptive design on a sample of 304 pastors in the East-Central Africa (ECD), West-Central Africa (WAD), and Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Divisions (SID) of the Adventist Church. Data from the self-constructed questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 4.0 for statistical treatment. The pastors in the three Divisions (ECD, WAD, SID) exhibited a low level of ACEs. It is a sigh of relief that pastors in Sub-Sahara Africa have low levels of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Eight out of ten pastors are being disturbed by those who attempted or committed suicide of a close of kin. Two out of five are being disturbed by parental bereavement before 18 years. Four out of 10 pastors still nurse the effects of physical abuse from caretakers. Fifteen percent suffer from earlier lack of parental care while 24% nurse scars from battering. Forty percent still nurture the bereavement of nearest of kin. There is no significant difference in the levels of ACEs when age is considered. Future research would study the level of ACEs among ministerial spouses and children
Pre-warning signs of backsliding in church members: patterns and interpretations
(Journal of Pastoral and Practical Theology, 2025-05) Aricha, Peter Omundi; Nyongesa, Mahlon Juma; Ponyatovskiy, Feliks
This study aims to determine pre-warning signs of backsliding exhibited by church members in Kisii, County. The phenomenon of backsliding and church non-attendance among men is one of the emerging tendencies in the postmodern religious worldviews. This research applied a quantitative method for data collection. The quantitative design utilised a questionnaire with structured closed-ended questions on a four-point Likert scale of measurement and collected respondents’ attitudes and opinions, which factored the backslidden members in this study. The design provided the blueprint for this research. Data was analysed electronically using the Statistics Package for Social Science (SPSS) software for descriptive data analysis to capture the percentage. Based on the findings, the warning signs for backsliding that stood out include but are not limited to, the following categories: churchoriented, personal, sociological, or external signs. Therefore, the study recommends that each church member be actively involved in weekly church activities so that the backsliders can be reclaimed, retained, and nurtured spiritually. The church should implement the following programmes: small group ministry, prayer ministry, visitation programme, and leadership training to curb this worrying trend of backsliding.
Psychological Wellbeing of Pastors in the Three Adventist Divisions in Sub-Sahara Africa
(Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Science (JAHSS), 2025) Nyongesa, Mahlon Juma
The study investigated the Pastor’s Psychological Well-being (PWB) using a quantitative descriptive design on a sample of 304 pastors in the East-Central Africa (ECD), West-Central Africa (WAD), and Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Divisions (SID) of the Adventist Church. Data from the self-constructed questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 4.0 for statistical treatment. The self-constructed PWB scale demonstrated poor internal consistency and reliability, as indicated by its low Cronbach's alpha of .543, which falls below the commonly accepted minimum threshold of .70 to .80 for a reliable scale, making it an unreliable inference about PWB. The pastors in the three Divisions (ECD, WAD, SID) exhibited a high level of psychological wellbeing. Regardless of age, territory, and current workstation, pastors exhibited a high level of optimum psychological functioning in ministry. The pastors have a high level of positive relations with others, a high level of autonomy, a high level of self-acceptance, and a high level of personal growth. The pastors in Sub-Saharan Africa have healthy optimum psychological functioning and take ministry as an opportunity to develop their potential. Despite the workload, pastors can have optimum psychological functioning. However, they have a low level of environmental mastery. The study confirmed the applicability of the new tools of PWB in the ministry. Future research would study the level of PWB among ministerial spouses.
Root causes of men backsliding from church membership
(Journal of Philosophy and Religion, 2025-05) Aricha, Peter Omundi; Nyongesa, Mahlon Juma; Ponyatovskiy, Feliks
The purpose of this study is to understand the reasons and root causes of men’s backsliding from weekly Sabbath attendance and worship services in the Mochenwa and Rigena districts. The phenomenon of backsliding and church non-attendance among men is one of the emerging tendencies in the postmodern religious worldviews. The gradual backsliding of men from regular church attendance and participation, as observed in Nyamira West Field Seventh-day Adventist churches, is a worrying trend. This research design applied a quantitative method for data collection. The quantitative design utilised a questionnaire with structured closed-ended questions on a four-point Likert scale of measurement and collected respondents' attitudes and opinions, which factored the backslidden members in this study. The design provided the blueprint for this research. Data was analysed electronically using the Statistics Package for Social Science (SPSS) software for descriptive data analysis to capture the percentage. Based on the findings, the reasons for backsliding that stood out include but are not limited to loss of faith, loss of interest, involvement in drinking alcohol, criticism from fellow church members, lack of frequent visitation, and discrimination. Therefore, the study recommends that each church member be actively involved in weekly church activities so that the backsliders can be reclaimed, retained, and nurtured spiritually. The church should implement the following programs: small group ministry, prayer ministry, visitation program, and leadership training to curb this worrying trend of backsliding.