Advertisement
Rhema Feast founder Julian Kyula recalls his first encounter with God
11th September, 2026 07:04 AM
Rhema Feast founder and Ruach Assemblies Senior Pastor Reverend Julian Kyula has opened up about his childhood and the experience he says marked his first encounter with God.
Speaking about his early faith journey, Kyula recalled having a spiritual encounter while attending one of the boarding primary schools he went to as a child.
“When I was a child, I did have an encounter with God at one of the boarding primary schools I went to, and when I was there in class five,” Kyula said.
The revelation offers a glimpse into the early years of a journey that would later see Kyula become a pastor and the founder of one of Kenya’s major Christian gatherings.
Childhood experience
Kyula’s childhood was marked by frequent movement between schools. According to his biography, he attended nine different primary schools as his father, who worked for Barclays Bank, was transferred to different parts of the country. He later joined Alliance High School in Thogoto, Kiambu County.
His faith journey eventually developed into a ministry career. Kyula founded The Purpose Centre Church in Nairobi in 2007, which later became Ruach Assemblies.
In 2015, he founded Rhema Feast under Ruach Assemblies as a non-denominational apostolic gathering. What began as a smaller gathering has since grown into a major Christian event attracting thousands of believers.
The annual gathering brings together Christians from different backgrounds for prayer, worship, teaching and fellowship. The official Rhema Feast describes the movement as one centred on sharing the Word of God with different generations.
The 2026 edition, held at Uhuru Park from August 31 to September 4, was themed “Come, Let Us Rebuild”, drawing from Nehemiah 2:17. The five-day gathering featured ministers and worship leaders from Kenya and beyond.
For Kyula, the journey from a class-five pupil who experienced what he describes as an encounter with God to leading a large Christian movement represents a faith journey spanning decades.
His recollection also highlights how experiences in childhood can become significant milestones in a person’s spiritual journey, long before their eventual calling becomes clear.
