April 6, 2026
Meet Emmanuel
Master of Arts in Counseling student, with hopes on pursuing a PhD upon graduation, Kairos University
Edmonton, Alberta
Pastor
We asked Emmanuel a few questions to learn more about his journey at Kairos. Here is what we discovered.
What led you to Kairos University?
My decision to attend Kairos University was shaped by a deep desire to serve my community holistically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Having lived the realities of displacement, trauma, and identity loss, I sought an institution that would honor both academic rigor and spiritual formation. Kairos offered an integrated model of education where theology, counseling, leadership, and lived experience are not separated but meaningfully woven together.
What I appreciated most about my educational journey at Kairos was the contextual and relational approach to learning. My studies were never abstract; they were consistently connected to real people, real suffering, and real hope. The flexibility of the Kairos model also allowed me to remain actively engaged in ministry and community leadership while pursuing my education.
What moments or experiences at Kairos have been most meaningful in your journey?
Professors Dr. Becky Towne, Dr. Chantail Green, Dr. Rosemary Behrens, Dr. Tony Blair, and many more had the greatest influence on my journey. Their mentorship, intellectual depth, and pastoral sensitivity helped me refine my calling and think more clearly about leadership, justice, and care for displaced and marginalized communities. Their guidance affirmed my conviction that education is not merely for personal advancement, but for service.
Another unexpected gift was learning that vulnerability is not a weakness in leadership, but instead it is a source of credibility and healing. Kairos created a space where my own story of grief, displacement, and faith was not something to overcome, but something to steward wisely. I learned that our wounds, when reflected upon and surrendered to God, can become bridges to serve others more authentically.
How has your love for Jesus grown during your time at Kairos?
My time at Kairos University deepened my love for Jesus by grounding my faith in both reflection and action. Through theological study, counseling formation, and spiritual disciplines, I learned to encounter Christ not only in Scripture, but also in suffering, resilience, and community healing. Kairos helped me see Jesus as both Savior and companion—present in exile, grief, and restoration.
My heart for those living in exile deepened. This led to me writing my book Theology from Below, where I reflect on the lived experiences of refugees and explore what it means to think about faith, justice, and belonging from the perspective of those living in prolonged exile.
I enrolled in the Master of Arts in Counseling because I wanted tools to serve people with compassion and competence. Kairos equipped me to integrate faith with psychological insight, allowing me to support others in ways that honor their dignity, culture, and lived experience. This formation strengthened my work as a pastor, counselor, and community leader, particularly among refugees and newcomers navigating loss, trauma, and identity reconstruction.
What advice do you have for someone considering attending Kairos University?
Kairos University is not simply a place to earn a degree; it is a formative journey that invites you to bring your whole self—your faith, questions, story, and calling—into the learning process. If you are seeking an education that is rigorous, relational, and rooted in service, Kairos offers a transformative environment.
For those who carry complex stories or feel called to serve in difficult spaces, Kairos will not ask you to leave your story at the door. Instead, it will help you refine it into purpose, leadership, and faithful service.
How can the Kairos Community continue to support and pray for you in your current role?
In my current roles as a pastor, counselor, author, and doctoral student, I ask for continued prayer for wisdom, endurance, and discernment. My work involves walking closely with individuals and communities carrying deep grief and complex trauma. I would value Kairos’ continued support through prayer for balance, spiritual renewal, and clarity as I integrate theology, counseling, and justice-oriented leadership.