Testimonials

Andrew Robinson

When I think of Joy Kitanga, I think of the barefoot preacher. I met her as part of the Duke University summer placement program. Before her arrival Joy was utterly unknown to us, but when she left twelve short weeks later, many hearts and minds were touched by the authenticity of her words and witness. Joy not only spoke out of the authority of what she had learned in a prestigious academic institution but correctly channelled all of that through her own life experience. What emerged out of this was a faithful, heartfelt, and ultimately, hopeful and helpful witness to Jesus. Joy is a true-blue example of what it means to walk through this world with a living and vibrant faith. Through the pulpit, through one-on-one conversations, Joy explored alongside us a word for our time.

For Hillcrest Methodist Church, Joy as barefoot preacher expressed what it means to be a living example freed from unnecessary attachment, an individual intent amid the hardest circumstances to throw the full measure of her being into the arms of Jesus. Because of this, Joy as ‘woman of God’, lives fully into her name. Her presence is an enlightening one in every meaning of the word. No one is more pleased than I am that Joy is ceasing an opportunity to widen the scope of her influence.

Ib Dabo

When I watch how Joy lives her life, I am reminded of the Scripture in Galatians 5:22-23, which talks about the fruit of the Spirit. Joy embodies it very well. We’ve been best friends since meeting in community college more than 16 years ago and I’ve seen how well she represents her name, is genuine in her workings with people, and maintains strong values of trust and integrity. Joy loves the Lord, is a great Bible teacher, and has strong courage—and faith—to prayerfully tackle difficult situations. She seeks peace, speaks with wisdom, and often weaves in and apply Scripture very well in her life experiences. With humility and living a simple life, Joy has a heart for helping people and loves her family—anyone who crosses her path. An encourager, who always wants to help others succeed, Joy is a strategic thinker. She seeks to get to the heart of issues, asking the right detailed—and sometimes tough—questions to help with attainable solutions. She is inspiring, and her actions have blessed so many lives around the world.

As Joy’s husband, I can write an entire book about God’s angel (as I sometimes call her). It is amazing to see the peace, love, and joy that Joy brings into our home. The incredible amount of time she spends doing things to ensure our kids and I are happy and doing okay. The way she does her chores with diligence, and even taking on some beyond her scope—without judgment— when I don’t get to them soon enough. The way she encourages me in my lowest moments and especially helped in my spiritual journey with Christ. The way she puts faith to work and prays for people, and just wanting to make the world a better place one life at a time. Because of who she is, we laugh every day, and our kids are happy to have their “moooommyyyyyy” around always. My testimony in all of this is that when I was 12 years old, I prayed to God for a good wife, and surely, He blessed me with Joy. I love her dearly and thank God every day for His blessing.

Bill Jones

My journey with Joy began with us chasing after a waterfall. Yes, really! When Joy moved to Cockeysville, MD from the Congo she came with instructions from her father to find a faith community. In pursuit of that community she visited Epworth UMC where I was serving and came with such joy and excitement. She wanted to be a part of everything, but most specifically a Youth Ministry. To get to know each other I offered to take her to a local hike and bike trail so we could enjoy the outdoors and have conversation together. Somehow on our way Joy shared with me about a waterfall she and her family had found and asked if we could go there. Having grown up in the area I was curious about this waterfall and began asking questions about it. I took her all over Baltimore County to the waterfalls I was aware of. None of the ones I took her to were the one she remembered. After many questions I came to realize it was not a natural waterfall at all, but the release from a Dam on Prettyboy Reservoir, very near to where my family and I live. After a wonderful day of driving around the county and sharing our faith stories together we arrived at the place she was looking for.

During her time as my intern she led amazing bible studies for the youth, helped me design and lead retreats and confirmation class. She preached in church and helped with many aspects of worship. Joy also helped connect the missions of Epworth to the missions she had served. Her Call was shining so brightly. I was invited to lead a training event for other Youth Pastors. I felt God encouraged me to have Joy help me with this training. During the training, I invited Joy to share her faith story. It was obvious and evident to everyone there how much God was shining on her and calling her. So obvious that she received affirmation from everyone in the class that God was calling her to ministry. I know she probably felt a little ganged up on, but it was obvious that the Holy Spirit was speaking loud and clear. My colleague Raphael [and I] were ready to lift her up and proclaim that this is God’s beloved, our sister, in whom God is well pleased.

Little did I know that that first day together, chasing waterfalls, would be an amazing metaphor for our relationship together. My job that God called me to, was to lead Joy on a journey of discovery. A journey in which she would experience many of God’s ways of ministering to His people, in order that she might find the one calling that He had in store for her from the beginning. I feel so blessed to have been a part of this journey, and to have Joy as a very dear friend. She fully lives out her name, and she is one of the most blessed people I know. God has truly set her apart for great things. Thank you, God,for allowing me be one of her guides on her blessed journey.

Laura Berendsen

I met Joy Kitanga while I was working at Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network, an innovative organizational model that provided homeless families shelter in a rotational basis by utilizing a network of Churches to provide space and staff one week at a time. Joy came to us through Duke University’s Divinity program. She helped with many tasks but they were mostly administrative duties and you could tell her real calling was to have deeper relationships with the families needing help. She was always a happy and helpful addition to our team but I felt like Joy would have liked to do more.

She also had a call to talk more directly about Christ which was not our mission. Though we were working with many religious organizations we were careful not to impose any particular faith tradition on those needing care. I think it was a good policy but it did not enable us to use Joy’s gifts fully. I know Joy will find a way to share her love of God and her Christian tradition. She has so much of that love to give to others.

Tatenda Mujeni

Joy is a powerful woman of God, a prayer warrior, encourager and teacher. Joy has been a friend and spiritual mentor for over three years. For all those who have met Joy, you know that you don’t need to question how grounded she is in Christ. She lives the Christian life she speaks of and every aspect of her life is guided by her faith.  I was and still am amazed by how firm she stands by her belief, no-matter what the surroundings look like or how others around her may believe or act.

Joy has been there for me when I was wavering on my walk with Christ, mostly because of the situations that I was in. Joy was patient with me and gently encouraged me and mentored me into being reconnected to Christ.  Joy and her husband would go out of their way to come and pick me up every Sunday to go to church and later on to a bible study that has changed my life.  From her life and seeing her interaction with the several people that she has touched and encouraged, I have seen how much joy there is in living a Christian life.

Joy has been a counselor and mentor and many times I have come to her with difficult situations many of which I was ashamed to speak to anyone else about. For a long time, I would not share my experiences or did not seek counseling because I was afraid of being judged, however, this was not the experience when I started speaking to Joy. She listened whole heartedly, and many times had a smile on her face, letting me know I was in a safe space. She is a mighty woman of God but also very approachable and open. Not once did I feel judged but felt relieved to be sharing with someone who cares. Joy has prayed for me on several occasions and has led me in prayer strengthening my relationship with God. There have been a number of times where I had not even reached out to her and was struggling with issues where she just showed up in a message or physically and asked me how I was as if she knew I needed a prayer. She would let me know that she was praying for me and would encourage me to keep praying.

Joy has a wonderful gift of encouragement, counseling, and intercession and I pray God continues to bless her as she is a blessing in the lives of many people.

Odette Kajoba

You are such a beautiful lady, mama Joy! A woman of prayer, always there for others…. You are a blessing and I love you so much. May The God you serve keep on blessing you. Shimama imara, Mungu aku kumbuke pour toutes les vies que tu as touché et continues A toucher. Thank you for being you, “JOY”. Love you.

Dr. Simbo

I have had the unique privilege of working with people from all over the world but not everyone becomes a friend. I met Joy at work and I had an instant connection with her when we met. There is an authenticity about her that is refreshing. A depth that comes from knowing what defeat and suffering means. Joy once said to me, when people say children are dying in Africa I say to them “name them”. It is this appreciation and an understanding of life and people that makes Joy special. A person filled with deep loving concern for others. This why I  call her my friend and Sister and not colleague.

Rev. Dr. Anika A Jones Testimonial

Meeting Joy Kitanga was like a rare and unexpected gift that God placed in my life when I least expected it. I had previously served for almost nine years as an Associate Pastor of a new church plant and had recently transitioned to develop a non-profit organization to live out God’s calling for my life to serve persons who are marginalized. I still had a hunger to help people in our congregation develop their spiritual walk with the Lord and wanted to start an in-depth Bible study. At the same time, I did not know if I would be able to devote the time and focus necessary to establish a study group that would really enable people to grow deeper in their faith.

Then along came Joy who volunteered to help organize and facilitate the group! Joy was instrumental in using her creative and engaging approach to Bible study that helped to keep everyone actively participating. Not only did Joy bring her love of Bible study to the group; she also helped to recruit other participants, many of whom continued to be active even after Joy moved on to another congregation closer to her home. We will forever remember and thank Joy for her leadership and passion in helping this group get started; the fruit of her labors have spread far beyond the few who began this journey with us a few years ago. We know that Joy will continue to share her gifts and her passion with others, leading to a strengthening of their faith as Disciples of Christ that help to transform the world.

Rita Shoneye Testimonial

My friends are categorized into outer court friends, inner court friends, and Holy of Holy friends. Joy is undoubtedly one of my Holy of Holy friends. She is someone I could call upon anytime to stand in the gap with me in prayer concerning any situation. She is a helper in battle, someone who will stand with you until the battle is won. I can testify that Joy is empowered by the Holy Spirit with a unique gift to encourage, pray and share God’s Love all over the world. My experience with her over the years that I have known her has influenced and transformed my spiritual life tremendously! She is always a breath of spiritual fresh air. I love her so much because she inspires me.

Mulowa Kajoba TestimonialMulowa Kajoba

Hi Mama, you are a strong woman. You are so full of energy and your name embodies who you are, Joy. Since you were a child, you always lit up the room. Shine, you are a vessel of light into the world. Be wise and I trust you will know where to be with such light.