History of ICM
International Christian Ministries was launched in 1986 to meet the growing need for discipleship in Kenya.
Soon after, the focus of ICM’s activity was narrowed to providing theological training for pastors and church leaders. Helping this effort was the Church-Based Bible Schools program (CBBS) which was organized to provide training and materials for pastors and Christian leaders for the equipping of the Church. Central to the CBBS Program were Tutor Training Conferences to train pastors to use teaching materials in conducting their own equipping classes in their churches.
While work was being done in Africa, ICM was incorporated in Canada under the direction of Phil and Nancy Jeske.
ICM then became the East Africa representative for Walk Thru the Bible and consequently started training seminar instructors and offering Old and New Testament Seminars to churches and schools, as well as courses in teaching and leadership development.
James and Mary Kamau of Kenya were the first national couple to join ICM. In 1993, ICM started degree level training in Kitale, Kenya at ICM Seminary. Just a few years later, ICM held their first graduation for pastors in the Degree program. Next, the Masters program was organized as well as an English Certificate program.
ICM grew to incorporate Uganda under the direction of David and Zipporah Omalla. In 2000 the Jeskes moved to Berlin, Germany to explore opportunities for ICM to equip pastors in Eastern Europe.
Meanwhile, Dr. Phil Walker was asked to coordinate the work of Walk Thru the Bible in Africa and the Middle East. James and Mary Kamau made the decision to move to Tanzania to establish ICM there.
In the early 2000’s Purpose Driven asked Phil and ICM to coordinate the work of Purpose Driven Ministries in Africa and the Middle East. ICM concluded an agreement with John Maxwell’s Equip organization to launch the Million Leaders Mandate in Sub-sahara Africa.
Today ICM and its partners have offices in 12 countries in Africa and conduct training in more than 30 countries.