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August 30, 2007

Costen’s legacy further sealed in Kenya with university dedication

Estate will help pay for student scholarships in perpetuity

by Toya Richards Hill
Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE – The life and legacy of the late Rev. Jim Costen is rooted in Kenya even more than it already was now that official permission to operate has been granted to the Presbyterian University of East Africa.

Costen, who was moderator of the 1982 General Assembly of the former United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and who had an ongoing commitment to theological education in Africa, played a significant role in the creation of the university, and earlier this month the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) was given the formal go-ahead to operate the school.

“Jim is saying, ‘I told you it was going to happen, and you’ll keep going,’” Melva Costen said of her husband. “To us, it’s really a testament to the power of God.”

On Aug. 10, PCEA leaders and others celebrated receiving a letter of interim authority for the Presbyterian University of East Africa from the Kenya Commission for Higher Education.

The official opening and dedication marked the final stage in a process spanning many years to create the Presbyterian theological institution. Jim Costen, whose relationship with the PCEA dates back to the mid 1970s when he was invited to teach a course for PCEA students at St. Paul’s Theological College, was instrumental in the process all along the way.

Now, “they can officially begin to solicit or advertise the presence of this university,” said Melva Costen, the recently retired Helmar Emil Nielsen Professor of Music and Worship at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta.

Jim Costen, who died in 2003, made numerous trips to Kenya over the years to work with the PCEA, and also initiated the granting of scholarships to PCEA students to study at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary during his tenure as administrative dean of the seminary, which is a part of ITC.

In the late 1990s, Costen made plans for retirement that included being a volunteer in mission in Kenya focused on theological education, and he began work to raise money for the university project that would include a pastoral institute, a Presbyterian college and the Presbyterian university.

Costen spearheaded a fundraising campaign to raise several million dollars for the project, and led numerous groups to Kenya to see and experience the work being done there, his wife said.

“This has come together because of a lot of people,” said Melva Costen, the author of In Spirit and In Truth: The Music of African American Worship. That includes people at the national level, in congregations and individuals, she said.

 “The hand of God has been in this all the while,” Melva Costen said.

Even in sickness Jim Costen continued his commitment to the project in Kenya, and Melva Costen said her husband arranged for a portion of his estate upon his death to go to the university for student scholarships through the Presbyterian Foundation.

He said, “Let’s let these people whom we are serving reap the benefits,” Melva Costen said her husband commented. “The Costens will help finance the scholarships for students from now in perpetuity.”

Melva Costen, too, intends to continue their commitment to Kenya and the PCEA, and her future plans include teaching there.

In addition, all three Costen children – James Jr. and Craig Costen and Cheryl Costen Clay – and their families intend to live and work in Kenya as needed, Melva Costen said.