January 2018 marked a major turning point for Baron and Jackie Muga as they stepped into full-time ministry in their home country of Kenya. Leaving behind careers, community, and the life they had built in Memphis, the Mugas returned to Nairobi with one goal in mind—make disciples and equip others to do the same.
Their decision didn’t come overnight. In fact, when they first met as college students at the University of Memphis, neither imagined they’d one day be missionaries.
Both originally from Nairobi, Jackie and Baron met through mutual friends at the University of Memphis. Baron, who was plugged in at Bellevue, was quick to invite others, including Jackie, to attend.
“I told him, ‘OK, I’ll come this Sunday,’” Jackie said. “And God began to speak to me.” She kept coming back, and soon, she gave her life to Christ.
Baron and Jackie’s friendship grew as they attended Bellevue together, and eventually they married. Over time, they became deeply involved in the life of the church. They led a young married couples Life Group for several years, served in Bellevue Women and Bellevue Men, and went through evangelism training.
“We both had full-time jobs, but that was just a means to an end,” Baron said. “The real passion, the real excitement, came from serving.”
Around 2010, that passion began to deepen.
“We started sensing a call to missions,” Baron said. “We didn’t know what that would look like, but we started praying. And the more we prayed, the more God impressed on us that we should return to Kenya and pursue ministry full-time.”
It wasn’t an easy realization.
“We were kind of in the mindset of, ‘God, we’ll serve You—just don’t mess with our American dream,’” Baron said. “But I think God was saying, ‘No, I’m going to mess with that because that’s how you’ll learn to trust Me more.’”
With the support of their church and community, the Mugas said yes. In January 2018, they stepped off the plane in Nairobi, unsure of what was ahead but confident in the One who had called them.
Their ministry started small and simple: sharing the Gospel and training others to do the same.
“We wanted to focus on equipping leaders who could replicate the disciple-making process in their own churches and communities,” Baron said.
Now serving with the International Mission Board, the Mugas work closely with local churches across Africa to shift the narrative around missions
“We’re helping African churches understand that the Great Commission wasn’t just given to the West,” Baron said. “It’s not just the West going to the rest—it’s everyone going everywhere.”
While the Mugas continue to train leaders and share the Gospel across Kenya and beyond, they know their story is just one piece of a much bigger picture.
“You’ve heard our story,” Baron said. “But you have a story too. God is doing something in your life. We all have a part to play in the Great Commission. Take the next step. Trust Him.”