BYU Pathways Continues to Educate Throughout the Central Africa Area

On Monday, the 23^rd of June, 2025 a team from the BYU Pathways program came to Nairobi, Kenya and held a devotional at the Upper Hill Stake Center which was broadcast throughout the Central Africa Area.   Elder Paul B. Pieper, first counselor in the Area Presidency presided over the devotional with Elder George Munene, Area Seventy conducting.  Also in attendance was Brian K. Ashton – President of BYU Pathways and his wife Melinda, J.D Griffith - Vice President of Global Education Centers, Becky Scott – Associate Administrator of Seminaries and Institutes, Victor Ukorebi – International Area Manager BYU Pathways Worldwide, Grace Ninsiima – Area Online Education Manager, and Elder Kyoni Kasongo – Area Director of Seminaries and Institutes.

President Ashton reminded everyone of President Russel M. Nelson’s recent general conference talks where he referenced preparing for the second coming of Jesus Christ in the latter days.  President Ashton stated that, “BYU Pathways is one of the tools the Lord is using to bring about the second coming.”  He also quoted Elder Dallin H. Oaks who prophesied regarding BYU Pathways students, “In the coming years most of you will become leaders in your homes, the church, your communities and your nations.”

President Ashton said that the need for Pathway graduates in remote jobs is great with nearly 10,000 currently working remotely with estimates of over 20,000 by year’s end.  They are looking for hundreds of thousands of these jobs to be available in the next few years.  Many graduates can work at these remote jobs at one of the four existing Global Education Centers, including the Center located in Brazzaville in the Republic of the Congo with more locations to come in the future.  These Centers have free computers, high speed internet, vocational/technical training, and career counseling.

Elder Pieper reminded everyone that, “The Lord made the earth and there is enough and to spare… we don’t have to compete with each other.”  He also added, “When we work together, then He can provide us with all that we need.”  He also recounted a visit with President Nelson where he asked the Prophet how he was able to use his mind so effectively.  President Nelson said, “I made a decision many years ago that I wasn’t going to let anything but truth and light into my mind.  My mind is a sacred instrument that God has given me and I’m not going to let anything dark into it.  So, if a bad thought comes about someone, if an angry thought, I don’t want it there.  All I want is light and good thoughts.”  He became a steward over his own mind.

As of the end of 2024 there were nearly 75,000 students from over 180 countries enrolled in BYU Pathways with 4,900 students in the Africa Central Area and 790 students in Kenya.