Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi
BACKGROUND
Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi is a Ghanaian Theologian, who hails from Anloga in the Volta Region of Ghana. He was born in Ho, in the Volta Region of Ghana in May 1954.
EDUCATION
He received a major portion of his education through Christian Schools in Ghana. The schools include Dzake-Peki E. P. Primary School; Jasikan E. P. Primary School; Nkoranza L.A. Middle School; Prempeh College in Kumasi and Mawuli School in Ho.
His first experience outside Ghana dates back to 1972-73, when he spent a year attending North Vicksburg High School, Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA, as an exchange student on AFC International/Intercultural Program (Head Office in New York). That year, in which he was hosted by an African-American family meant a lot to him and has since then had a great impact on his Ministry.
His theological studies began at the University of Ghana, Legon, where he graduated with BA (Hons) in 1978, and Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, which he completed in 1980. He received a Master of Sacred Theology Degree from Yale University Divinity School (1981) and a Ph.D in Pastoral Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey (1991), both in the USA.
MINISTRY
Rev. Dr. Nyomi was ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana in August, 1980 and served as Parish Pastor in both Ghana and the USA. He taught Pastoral Theology and Homiletics at the Trinity Theological Seminary in Legon, Ghana in the 1990s. Between 1984 and 1991, he was Vice Moderator of the Youth Working Group of the World Council of Churches. He spent six years with the All African Conference of Churches (AACC) as a senior executive in charge of Theology, Christian and Family life education and coordinated the seventh assembly of the AACC. In that capacity, he was one of the two deputies to the AACC General Secretary.
Rev. Dr. Nyomi took up responsibility as the General Secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) in April 2000, becoming the first non-European General Secretary of the World alliance of Reformed Churches, one of the oldest confessional bodies that unite Presbyterian, Reformed, Congregational, Waldenson and some united Churches. In June 2010, under Rev. Nyomi’s leadership, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council united to become the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) serving more than 80 million Christians in about 108 Countries.
Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi became the General Secretary of the WCRC. He concluded this ministry in August 31, 2014 leaving behind a legacy of fourteen and half years of remarkable achievements to God’s Glory.
MINISTRY LOCATIONS SINCE ORDINATION IN AUGUST 1980
1980 – 1981 – Pastoral Associate in Mt. Carmel Congregational Church in Connecticut, USA
1981 – 1982 – Chaplain, Presbyterian Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA and Interim Pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
1982 – 1984 – Pastor of E.P. Church, Dzelukɔʄe, Ghana Presbytery Clerk for the Southern Presbytery.
1984 – 1985 – International Minister in Residence for First Presbyterian Church, Cranbury, New Jersey, USA.
1985 – 1986 – Tutor, Peki Seminary
1987 – 1990 – Chaplain, St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Centre, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA
1990 – 1991 – Chaplain, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
1991 – 1994 – Lecturer, Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, Accra, Ghana
1994 – 1999 – Senior Executive, All Africa Conference of Churches Nairobi, Kenya
2000 – 2010 – General Secretary, World Alliance of Reformed Churches Geneva, Switzerland
2010 – 2014 – General Secretary, World Communion of Reformed Churches now based in Hannover, Germany
8 Oct. 2014 – 2021 District Pastor, E.P. Church, Adenta, Accra
2021 – District Pastor, E.P. Church, Accra Newtown, Accra
From 1976 to 1980, Dr. Setri Nyomi served on the Board of Trustees of the AFS International/Intercultural Programmes, an organization with headquarters in New York that organized international/intercultural secondary school student exchanges. He was the first African to be named to this Board and was the youngest during his tenure on the Board. Before entering Trinity Theological Seminary, he did his National Service in Vakpo Secondary School.
While he was in Kenya, he served as a member of the Board of Governors of St. Paul’s Theological Seminary (now St Paul’s University) and Daystar University- both in Kenya.
From 1999 to 2012, he served two terms as one of the Presidents of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP). On completion of his second term, he was elected one of the Honorary Presidents.
In November 2014, Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi was made the Chairman of the University Council for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church University College in Ho.
Dr. Setri Nyomi is known for his commitment to the mission of the Church relevant to the 21st Century, Christian Unity, the Church’s role in being a beacon for justice in the world today, evangelism and providing good pastoral care and counselling. Dr. Setri Nyomi is the author of many articles and books. One of his books is “Happily Married? YES IT IS POSSIBLE.”
FAMILY
Rev. Dr. Nyomi is married to Mrs. Akpene Esther Nyomi, a Chemist by profession. Mrs. Nyomi’s educational path took her through good schools such as Peki Dzake E. P. Primary and Middle Schools, Mawuli Secondary School, Ho, University of Science and Technology, Kumasi; Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey; Arnold Schwarz Pharmacy School of the Long Island University, New York, USA and others.
Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi is known to have constantly expressed to Churches all over the world his appreciation of the dedication and prayerfulness of his wife Akpene, who has supported him throughout his ministry- through its challenges and all. They deem it a blessing to have parented three children-Kekeli, Nunana and Xoeseko. They are grateful to God that through marriage, the family has expanded in 2008 and 2009, when they welcomed Lindsey and On