This archive report was first published on 1 September 2019.
Reverend John Mark Haung Godia, the incoming bishop of Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Maseno West Diocese, has spoken about his journey from wanting to be a military soldier to becoming a decorated officer in the Lord's army.
On September 1, 2019, he was consecrated and enthroned by Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit, the head of ACK, amidst an uphill task to unite the diocese polarised by the election process that culminated into his election as successor to long-serving bishop of the diocese Rt Reverend Joseph Otieno Wasonga.
Haung downplays the polarisation, saying it is not as huge as his opponents would like it to portray it. 'The divisions are not as they are being magnified to look and it is just a section of people allied to my worthy competitor who have sought to create divisions,' he said.
Haung was born on January 30, 1970, in Yiro, Ugunja Sub-county, Siaya County. He grew up in a village where he had a dream of becoming a military soldier, but things did not work out for him. He tried to join the Kenyan military twice but was overlooked both times.
After leaving the village, Haung joined the Kenya School of Professional Studies in Nairobi. It was during this time that he gave his life to Christ at Deliverance Church Umoja on August 16, 1992.
Haung then became one of the founding members of the Maseno West Diocese's Youth Evangelistic Team (YET), a brainchild of Bishop Wasonga to help in the evangelisation of the youth. For eight years, Haung served as in the diocesan youth executive committee.
During his ministry with YET, the call to serve as an ordained minister came. Haung joined the Uganda Christian University for a Bachelors in Theology before pursuing his Masters in Theology at the same institution after being awarded a scholarship.
Haung was appointed administrative secretary of the diocese four years later and stated that during his tenure, it has seen remarkable growth. He plans to combine pastoral and administrative roles even as he focuses on the youth and children for a stable church in the future.
