{"id":113454,"date":"2026-04-09T11:35:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T15:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/?p=113454"},"modified":"2026-04-12T17:42:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T21:42:06","slug":"ive-grown-up-with-jesus-philip-kirabira-25-happily-admits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/blog\/ive-grown-up-with-jesus-philip-kirabira-25-happily-admits\/","title":{"rendered":"The Next Adventure: Philip Kirabira","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 data-section-id=\"1lqlj6j\" data-start=\"192\" data-end=\"258\">\u201cI\u2019ve Grown Up with Jesus,\u201d Philip Kirabira \u201925 Happily Admits.<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"260\" data-end=\"460\">Born in Uganda to parents in ministry, Philip was introduced to Jesus from the very beginning. Even in stressful moments, like a hospital stay as a young boy, his desire for spiritual comfort was clear.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"462\" data-end=\"831\">One night after surgery, he cried inconsolably, asking repeatedly for someone called \u201cAunt Bible.\u201d Nurses and family puzzled over the request until they realized he meant his Aunt Nivas, a key figure in his early faith formation. When she arrived, Philip lit up, not because he wanted toys or comfort food, but because he wanted to pray and talk about Jesus before bed.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"940\">It was the first of many moments that affirmed how deeply Jesus was woven into the fabric of Philip\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"942\" data-end=\"1350\">From the time he could walk, Philip was involved at church. He led worship for the first time at age 7, joined the production team at 8, and by age 10, he was managing bilingual presentations during services. He adjusted slides in real-time to make sure the Luganda-speaking congregation felt just as seen and ministered to as the English-speaking one. It wasn\u2019t just about excellence; it was about ministry.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1352\" data-end=\"1521\"><img decoding=async data-opt-id=181837676  fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-113460 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait3.webp\" alt=\"Philip-Running-soundboard-production\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:864\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait3.webp 1080w, https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:864\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait3.webp 980w, https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:480\/h:600\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait3.webp 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1m1cjqs\" data-start=\"1312\" data-end=\"1330\">Building a Life<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1332\" data-end=\"1545\">At 12, Philip began attending a Christian boarding school, where Saturday nights were marked by student-led worship and fellowship. Upperclassmen mentored younger students, modeling faith, leadership, and service.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1547\" data-end=\"1749\">Though he joined primarily for production, Philip gradually taught himself to play various instruments just to ensure soundchecks went smoothly. What started as a workaround became a full-blown passion.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1751\" data-end=\"2004\">By 15, Philip\u2019s musical gifts and production instincts were impossible to ignore. He joined a prayer group, started reading the Bible for himself, and recognized God calling him into ministry, not just as something he did, but as someone he was becoming.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2175\">Though he was also gifted in math and physics, Philip never wavered in his conviction: \u201cI knew that my life would forever be leveraged for the life of the local church.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2175\"><img decoding=async data-opt-id=588672296  fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-113455 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait.webp\" alt=\"Philip-Quote \" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:864\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait.webp 1080w, https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:864\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait.webp 980w, https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:480\/h:600\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait.webp 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1080px, 100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2177\" data-end=\"2399\">After graduating top of his class with an engineering focus, Philip took a gap year to work full-time at his father\u2019s church. It was the first time he saw ministry not just as a weekend rhythm, but as a vocational calling.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2401\" data-end=\"2569\">That same year, while leading worship at a conference, he was awarded a full-ride scholarship to a Bible school in Sydney, Australia. The opportunity was life changing. \u201cI realized that, yes, I\u2019m in Bible school, but I have to know God personally, not just as a scholar,\u201d he says. His time in Sydney solidified his calling, but just as he was preparing to apply for a bachelor&#8217;s program, God shifted the course again, calling him back not into ministry, but into engineering. \u201cAnd frankly,\u201d he laughs, \u201cI was mad.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2919\" data-end=\"3088\">He applied to schools around the world and was only accepted to one: Grand Valley State University in Michigan. He took the open door and moved halfway across the globe. It didn\u2019t take long to discover that the engineering industry wasn\u2019t the right fit. But even then, God was at work. Philip got involved in campus ministry through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cruatgv.com\/\">Cru<\/a>, helped build the production team, and spent the summer of 2019 on staff at Grace Adventures, drumming, mentoring, and making connections. It was there he met students from <a href=\"https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\">Grace Christian University<\/a>. Curious, he caught a bus from Allendale and attended chapel on campus. The community, he says, was warm, grounded, and full of purpose.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3595\" data-end=\"3727\">He applied to Grace and another Bible college, and though both accepted him, he sensed clearly that he should stay in West Michigan. \u201cGod said to stay local,\u201d Philip says. \u201cAnd wherever He sends us in the world, Michigan will always be home. \u201dHe began classes at Grace Christian University in the fall of 2021, and three weeks in, he had a job as a worship leader.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3963\" data-end=\"4015\">More than that, he had a renewed clarity of mission. \u201cMost people figure out who they are during their bachelor\u2019s,\u201d he says. \u201cBut for me, Grace was like a master\u2019s program in calling. I already knew who I was; I just needed the space to live it out.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"1gijjpg\" data-start=\"4221\" data-end=\"4241\">Building a Family<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4243\" data-end=\"4407\">Grace became the place where Philip sharpened his identity and walked fully in his gifts. He never had to apply for jobs during school; every opportunity found him. One of the greatest of those opportunities came not in chapel or on a stage, but through a person sitting next to him in a Dr. Sam Vinton \u201955 class. Her name was Ayondria. \u201cI wasn\u2019t looking to date anyone. I even thought about wearing a fake wedding ring!\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4677\" data-end=\"4816\">They sat side-by-side for six weeks before he realized she was the one God had for him. But when they finally connected, it was undeniable. \u201cIt\u2019s a miracle how God has woven our story together,\u201d he says. \u201cMy ministry life is so much better for knowing and being known by Ayondria.\u201dThe two married in 2024, graduated in May of 2025, and had baby Hannah shortly after.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5048\" data-end=\"5215\">After serving on staff at <a href=\"https:\/\/rushcreekbc.org\/\">Rush Creek Bible Church<\/a> for several years, he stepped away from full-time ministry to return to the root of his faith: just being with Jesus. \u201cIt\u2019s the invitation to be that kid again, the one who just wanted Aunt Bible so he could pray before bed.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 data-section-id=\"106zz9x\" data-start=\"5330\" data-end=\"5351\">The Next Adventure<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=async data-opt-id=860537178  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait2.webp\"  class=\"alignnone wp-image-113457 size-full\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Philip-and-Ayondria \" width=\"1080\" height=\"1350\" old-srcset=\"https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:864\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait2.webp 1080w, https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:864\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait2.webp 980w, https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:480\/h:600\/q:mauto\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Journey-social-portrait2.webp 480w\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5353\" data-end=\"5520\">While the Kirabiras weren\u2019t looking to move away, Philip received four different job offers in Ludington, Michigan. It became clear Ludington was the next destination.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5522\" data-end=\"5710\">Philip will be the Worship Director at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiantcoast.org\/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=225441996&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADl1F1xT7ikmzy5pXQDAVzYNvoUIk&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwv-LOBhCdARIsAM5hdKeY9c1FMF10rOSi9myMvKIwi3HJ8nDT63xxTJx3C15mp33jQptlocEaAts3EALw_wcB\">Radiant Church<\/a>. He says he\u2019s both nervous and excited\u2014\u201cnervoucited\u201d\u2014and a bit sad to be leaving Grand Rapids, where so much life and growth happened. \u201cBut we prayed for this, and the Lord has provided!\u201d Philip says. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to be stepping out in faith and obedience because that is ALWAYS the best place to be with God.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5891\" data-end=\"6058\">As Philip reflects on everything God has done, from Uganda to Sydney, Grand Valley, Grace, and now in Ludington, he sees a clear thread: God\u2019s grace, guiding every step.\u201cGrace Christian University has been a place where I lived into my mission and purpose. God gave me the opportunities I needed and sharpened me to be who I know I\u2019m meant to be.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6240\" data-end=\"6488\">And for Philip, that purpose has never been clearer: to live a life where the spotlight fades from him and shines on Jesus. Just like he hoped as a child, when all he wanted was five minutes to talk about the Savior who\u2019s been with him all along.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=async data-opt-id=1336454374  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlii5e30p1dq.i.optimole.com\/cb:hFP7.217\/w:300\/h:300\/q:mauto\/rt:fill\/g:ce\/ig:avif\/https:\/\/gracechristian.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Stephanie-Maendel.webp\"  class=\"wp-image-111473 alignleft\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20300%20300%22%20width%3D%22300%22%20height%3D%22300%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22300%22%20height%3D%22300%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Stephanie Maendel-Communications-Major\" width=\"219\" height=\"219\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>About the Author:<\/strong> Stephanie Maendel \u201926 is a Communication &amp; Christian Studies student at Grace Christian University. She&#8217;s passionate about missions and inspiring her generation to live out the Great Commission. After graduation, she hopes to pursue ministry and community outreach, serving and empowering individuals and families locally and globally.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cI\u2019ve Grown Up with Jesus,\u201d Philip Kirabira \u201925 Happily Admits. Born in Uganda to parents in ministry, Philip was introduced to Jesus from the very beginning. Even in stressful moments, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":6,"featured_media":113462,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[85,84],"tags":[89],"dipi_cpt_category":[],"class_list":["post-113454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-the-journey","tag-cover-story"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Next Adventure: Philip Kirabira - Grace Christian University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From his childhood in Uganda to a calling shaped from a young age, the life of Philip Kirabira shows how God guides every step with 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