By Fr. Wojciech Szypuła
The Word of God as a Way of Life
A veteran missionary reflects on 25 years of service across Botswana, Zambia, and Kenya, sharing how the Bible became the "golden thread" of his life’s work. You will discover his journey from the parishes of Southern Africa to the lecture halls of Nairobi, where he now forms the next generation of global Catholic leaders.
25 years with Bible
From the lecture halls of Chicago to the vibrant parishes of Zambia and Kenya, my mission has been defined by a single conviction: the Bible must be the beating heart of the Church. Over the last 25 years, I have seen firsthand that where the Word of God is alive, faith does more than survive — it flourishes.
From Chicago to the African Heartland
My journey began during my studies in Chicago, but it was a 1994 mission trip to Botswana that changed everything. I realized then that effective pastoral work in Africa is rooted directly in the Bible. After earning my Master’s degree, I served as a priest in Zambia for four years. These experiences fueled my desire for deeper scholarship, leading me to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where I completed my Doctorate in Biblical Theology.
Finding the "Golden Thread" in Education
Education became my primary mission field. Whether serving as a rector in Zambia or teaching at St. Augustine College in Johannesburg, my goal has always been to help students see the Bible not as a collection of fragments, but as a coherent "golden thread" of revelation.
Since 2015, I have been teaching at Tangaza University College in Nairobi. With 2,500 students from across the globe, the workload is immense, but the impact is generational. By forming future leaders, we ensure the Gospel reaches the furthest corners of the continent.
Digital Mission: LectioYouth.net
To reach the next generation, I coordinated the biblical apostolate for the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) across Africa from 2012 to 2019. A cornerstone of this work is LectioYouth.net, a program I helped create to provide youth with high-quality exegetical and pastoral resources online. Today, hundreds of young people use these tools to deepen their spiritual lives daily.
Why the Word Matters
I am driven by the belief that Christianity can only endure if it remains anchored in the Word of God. Biblical scholarship is a challenge — it requires wrestling with ancient texts to find their modern meaning—but it is the most direct way to know God. This passion has sustained me for a quarter-century and continues to inspire every lecture I give and every commentary I write.
To find out how you can continue to support our missionary work, click below
