Congratulations to Dr Desmond Henry who was recently awarded a PhD in Mission Studies, and was appointed the new Director of Global Network of Evangelists at Luis Palau.

“My role is to lead a network of networks that seeks to celebrate and accelerate evangelism worldwide. I have the wonderful honour of working with key Christian leaders and evangelical organisations around the world to this end. It is a wonderful joy for me to represent the University of Pretoria in my new role at the Palau Association,” he says.

The Luis Palau Association was started by a well-known evangelist, Luis Palau, who for nearly 60 years has sought to proclaim the Good News, unite the church and impact cities worldwide. The association is best known for its city-impacting festivals where Christians come together to reach others and share their faith practically. Twenty years ago, the Palau Association started the Next Generation Alliance, which served to equip, encourage and mentor younger evangelists and support the work they do in North America specifically. Dr Henry says it is his role to expand this existing network to nine regions around the world in the next decade. He has served in this role since October 2019.

He says his research topic emanated from his ministry context – being a Baptist pastor and lecturer at the Baptist Theological College – and a deep desire to learn more about Baptistic history in Southern Africa. His aim was to serve his denomination through researching areas of challenge to his ministry with the intent that they would become more missional.

“Christianity is not simply one expression of religion, Christianity is about the relationship with God through the person of Jesus Christ. Christianity is unique among all so-called religions in that what it presents is counter-intuitive, unique and supremely gracious and loving,” he says.

“Christianity is unique because Jesus Christ came to save us (He is known as Emmanuel; God with us!). He met us where we are at as humanity and his purpose is to redeem the brokenness that surrounds us – by our own rebellious making – and has saved us through His work for us (the cross is a beautiful reminder of this). The best part of all is that Christianity is not a performance-driven religion, but a grace-giving, life-saving relationship that redefines our identity, purpose and life – ask me, I know,” he says.

Dr Henry believes that his studies at UP allowed him the space to become an expert in his field of research, and also inculcated within him the desire to continue to research and write regular contributions to UP’s journal, ‘Verbum et Ekklesia’ where he regularly published his research. “My studies provided me with a sense of confidence, that despite my age back then, I would have the respect and esteem of those who would come to read my work and engage with me academically,” he says.

He admits that the road has not always been smooth. “I completed my doctorate while working as a pastor in Gaborone, Botswana, and Pretoria. In addition, my wife was pregnant with twins and gave birth to Olivia and Annabella shortly before the completion of the thesis. Managing time, work and family responsibilities was not easy. I am thankful that my wife and family supported my studies because without their sacrifice, I would have been unable to finish.”

Dr Henry also expresses thanks to his then-supervisor who supported him during the challenging time. “My supervisor, Professor Nelus Niemandt, was a tremendous support to me throughout the process and made this work easier through his academic mentorship.”

When asked about the highlight of his career, Dr Henry says that one of his greatest joys has been seeing students whom he has taught succeed in their studies and get to move forward. He says that hard work, commitment, teachability and humility will take one further than they can imagine.