About us
Agape is the word the Bible uses to describe the transformative love of Jesus Christ for all of us, and forms the cornerstone of all our work to reconcile children with God and family.
About us
Agape is the word the Bible uses to describe the transformational love of Jesus Christ for all of us, and forms the cornerstone of all our work to reconcile children with God and family.
our story
How we started out and our core beliefs
the team
Get to know our staff and ministry partners
join us!
Discover opportunities at Agape
ON Campus
Explore our two Kenyan campuses
Financials
Our financial accountability
Our founder, Darla Calhoun, in the early days of Agape
Our Story
Agape began in Kisumu, Kenya in 1993 as a response from the compassionate heart of our founder, Darla Calhoun, RN. Darla was working in community health in the villages and small towns surrounding Kisumu. Whenever she came to town for supplies or to pick up her mail, she would immediately be surrounded by groups of begging street boys.
They were dirty. They were hungry. Some of them were sick. Many of them were high from sniffing glue. All were desperate. And she knew in her heart she needed to do something to help them.
She began giving them small bags of peanuts to eat or pieces of soap so they could bathe in nearby Lake Victoria. As the number of boys flocking to meet her grew, she began to meet with them in one of the town parks.
Alarmed by the prospect of as many as 80 to 100 street boys all gathering in one place at the same time, city officials told Darla she would have to end her meetings in the park…
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At that point she boldly asked the city to provide land where she could care for the boys. In the meantime, she rented a small house, hired a cook and a guard, and invited five boys to leave the streets and come live at what she called, “Agape.”
The city did donate land for the ministry and the local Kisumu Lions Club helped fund construction of the first dormitory building on campus. By 1995, there were 16 boys living at Agape in that single building.
Today, Agape has two campuses and employs a dedicated Kenyan staff of more than 128 teachers, house parents, guards, and administrative personnel. Two missionary couples oversee our operations, train and equip the staff, and help provide guidance and direction for the ministry.
To read more about Darla’s story, get a copy of her book, Agape’s Children, available in our shop.
Our founder, Darla Calhoun, in the early days of Agape
Our Story
Agape began in Kisumu, Kenya in 1993 as a response from the compassionate heart of our founder, Darla Calhoun, RN. Darla was working in community health in the villages and small towns surrounding Kisumu. Whenever she came to town for supplies or to pick up her mail, she would immediately be surrounded by groups of begging street boys.
They were dirty. They were hungry. Some of them were sick. Many of them were high from sniffing glue. All were desperate. And she knew in her heart she needed to do something to help them.
She began giving them small bags of peanuts to eat or pieces of soap so they could bathe in nearby Lake Victoria. As the number of boys flocking to meet her grew, she began to meet with them in one of the town parks.
Alarmed by the prospect of as many as 80 to 100 street boys all gathering in one place at the same time, city officials told Darla she would have to end her meetings in the park…
Accordion Close
READ MORE
At that point she boldly asked the city to provide land where she could care for the boys. In the meantime, she rented a small house, hired a cook and a guard, and invited five boys to leave the streets and come live at what she called, “Agape.”
The city did donate land for the ministry and the local Kisumu Lions Club helped fund construction of the first dormitory building on campus. By 1995, there were 16 boys living at Agape in that single building.
Today, Agape has two campuses and employs a dedicated Kenyan staff of more than 128 teachers, house parents, guards, and administrative personnel. Two missionary couples oversee our operations, train and equip the staff, and help provide guidance and direction for the ministry.
To read more about Darla’s story, get a copy of her book, Agape’s Children, available in our shop.
Our Values
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Our Statement of Faith
Central to Agape’s ministry are the core beliefs of our Christian faith. These are an integral part of what we are as an organization and of what we believe as individual members of the Agape family.
- We believe that the Bible in its entirety in the original writings is the inspired inerrant, infallible and authoritative Word of God. As such, we submit to it as the standard for our conduct.
- We believe in one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious death and our atonement through his shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His imminent personal return in power and glory.
- We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ provides the only grounds for justification.
- We believe in the regenerating ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose power the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
- We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, composed of all who are regenerated through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- We believe in the reality of heaven, hell, and Satan, which gives urgency to Christ’s command to reach the world with the Gospel.
Our Mission Statement
Reconciling children to God and family through the Good News and transformative love of Christ.
At Agape we strive to…
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Bring Glory to God
In ministering through Agape, we strive to bring glory and honor to God in everything we do. (Col. 3:17,23; 1 Cor. 10:31)
Focus on the Gospel
In obedience to God’s Word, we desire to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ in everything that we do at Agape. Salvation comes only through saving faith in Jesus, leading to transformed lives and restored relationships. (Rom. 10:15, Acts 4:12, Mark 16:15, John 14:6)
Reunite children with families
God created the institution of the family, and Agape desires that all children grow up at home in safe and loving families. We desire to work in the best interests of each individual child and their family. (James 1:27, Prov 17:6, Eph 6:1-4)
Care for the Agape Family
Agape is blessed with an incredible team of Kenyan nationals who are best equipped to minister to the needs of our children and their families. Investing time, resources, and effort into our team’s personal, professional, and spiritual growth benefits our team members and the children and families that we serve. (Eph. 4:11-14, 1 Cor. 12:14-26, Heb 10:24-25, Gal 6:1-2, 1 Thess 5:11)
Honor the Lord in decision making
In decision making and planning, we desire to do what is right and just, seeking God’s wisdom and direction, and walking in obedience to His will and to His Word. We also seek unity with our brothers and sisters, taking into consideration the diversity of perspectives within the Body of Christ. We believe that our work is important to the Lord, therefore we strive to offer our best, assessing our results, and learning from our mistakes. (Prov. 1:7, Ps. 133:1, Prov. 3:5-6, James 1:5, 1 Cor. 1:10, Eph 4:1-3)
Accordion Close
Our Statement of Faith
Central to Agape’s ministry are the core beliefs of our Christian faith. These are an integral part of what we are as an organization and of what we believe as individual members of the Agape family.
- We believe that the Bible in its entirety in the original writings is the inspired inerrant, infallible and authoritative Word of God. As such, we submit to it as the standard for our conduct.
- We believe in one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious death and our atonement through his shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His imminent personal return in power and glory.
- We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ provides the only grounds for justification.
- We believe in the regenerating ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose power the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
- We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, composed of all who are regenerated through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- We believe in the reality of heaven, hell, and Satan, which gives urgency to Christ’s command to reach the world with the Gospel.
Our Mission Statement
Reconciling children to God and family through the Good News and transformative love of Christ.
At Agape we strive to…
Accordion Close
 
Bring Glory to God
In ministering through Agape, we strive to bring glory and honor to God in everything we do. (Col. 3:17,23; 1 Cor. 10:31)
Focus on the Gospel
In obedience to God’s Word, we desire to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ in everything that we do at Agape. Salvation comes only through saving faith in Jesus, leading to transformed lives and restored relationships. (Rom. 10:15, Acts 4:12, Mark 16:15, John 14:6)
Reunite children with families
God created the institution of the family, and Agape desires that all children grow up at home in safe and loving families. We desire to work in the best interests of each individual child and their family. (James 1:27, Prov 17:6, Eph 6:1-4)
Care for the Agape Family
Agape is blessed with an incredible team of Kenyan nationals who are best equipped to minister to the needs of our children and their families. Investing time, resources, and effort into our team’s personal, professional, and spiritual growth benefits our team members and the children and families that we serve. (Eph. 4:11-14, 1 Cor. 12:14-26, Heb 10:24-25, Gal 6:1-2, 1 Thess 5:11)
Honor the Lord in decision making
In decision making and planning, we desire to do what is right and just, seeking God’s wisdom and direction, and walking in obedience to His will and to His Word. We also seek unity with our brothers and sisters, taking into consideration the diversity of perspectives within the Body of Christ. We believe that our work is important to the Lord, therefore we strive to offer our best, assessing our results, and learning from our mistakes. (Prov. 1:7, Ps. 133:1, Prov. 3:5-6, James 1:5, 1 Cor. 1:10, Eph 4:1-3)
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Agape Leadership
Our key ministry partners and volunteer Board of Directors impart discerning leadership and organizational guidance to further the impact of family reunification, in Kenya and beyond.
Board of Directors
wesley corbitt
President and Executive Director
Darla Calhoun
Secretary and Founder
Jeff Alger
Treasurer
Dan Blackman
Vice President
Tyler Gibbs
Board Member
Dan Hamer
Board Member
Andrew Marzka
Board Member
Andrew Marzka
Board Member
Our Staff
Without a doubt, one of Agape’s greatest strengths is the 160+ Kenyan nationals and full-time missionaries who make up our staff. These men and women work tirelessly to welcome rescued street children, lead them to Jesus, care for them, teach them, encourage them, and eventually get them home. Meet some of our key staff leaders below.
Winfred Otieno
Director
Lorrine Amondi
Deputy Director
Calvin Obuya
Admin Manager
VICTOR OKWEMBA
Home Manager
Dixon Mahero
Counseling & Redeem Manager
ANNE OGAGA
Child Welfare Manager
Mary Achieng
Child Welfare Manager
Richard Omuok
Child Welfare Manager
LEBAUS ONYANGO
Child Welfare Manager
Christopher Imo
School & Transition Manager
Christopher Imo
School & Transition Manager
JOSEPH OKUMU
Director
ROBERT NAMUSOLE
Deputy Director
Joshua Chebitwey
Admin Manager
Mohammed Khumwa
Home Manager
Clyde Sechele
Rehabilitation Manager
Sammy Lobolia
Child Welfare Manager
Judith Chepsigor
Child Welfare Manager
Adams Sangalo
Admin Manager
Julius Sere
Home Manager
Felix Chacha
Rehabilitation Manager
Vincent Sinteria
Child Welfare Manager
Vincent Sinteria
Child Welfare Manager
GEORGE OMONDI
Director
Jacobet Ouko
HR Coordinator
JOHNSTONE ENDEKWA
Facilities + Logistics
Rose Maboni
Finance Coordinator
Chris Page
Country Director
Cheryl Insua
Special Projects
Rose Maboni
Finance Coordinator
Chris Page
Country Director
Cheryl Insua
Special Projects
Diana Hallett
Director
Jacob Oduor
Child Welfare Coordinator
JOEL MUSEBE
Redeem Coordinator
RACHEAL INGADIMA
Counseling Coordinator
RACHEAL INGADIMA
Counseling Coordinator
Join us
Be a part of this amazing mission. We’re looking for like-minded, passionate missionaries who will join us at our newest campus in Kitale, Kenya.
If you’re a college junior or senior, consider a valuable internship in Kenya for two months. Read the job description and send us your internship application today.
Join us
Be a part of this amazing mission. We’re looking for like-minded, passionate missionaries who will join us at our newest campus in Kitale, Kenya.
If you’re a college junior or senior, consider a valuable internship in Kenya for two months. Read the job description and send us your internship application today.
We need you.
All this isn’t possible without your help! Here’s how you can be a part of change for vulnerable, desperate street children:
Donate
Your donations help reunite children with their families, extend the impact of our model across Kenya, and support our missionaries.
Join
Experience Agape by volunteering, going on a short-term missions trip, interning or applying as a long-term missionary.
advocate
Raise awareness in your church and community, join our network of prayer warriors or help champion our cause on social media!
Together, we can do so much more.
Over the past year, we’ve successfully reunited over 580 children with their families. But there’s so much more to do. We need your help to reach our 10-year goal of 10,000 families reunited. That’s 1000 families a year!
For as little as $1 a day, you can reunite kids on the street with their families AND help end child separation in Kenya and beyond.
Our Campuses
Our two campuses support our mission to rescue, redeem, and rehabilitate vulnerable and at-risk children by providing the space and facilities necessary for us to implement the Agape model. Our primary priority has always been to teach these hurting children that their true hope lies only in the REDEEMING love of Jesus.
Through our four-week transition class, daily devotions, weekly worship services, and a staff who values discipleship, children find forgiveness for their pasts and hope for their futures. Our discipleship program focuses on Godly character traits and boys are challenged to not just make a “decision” for Christ, but to lead lives that bring Him glory and honor.
Our counseling team takes each child through a process of dealing with their past traumas and determining the factors that led to their life on the streets. Classes in anger management, spiritual warfare, and discipleship encourage children to face issues in their lives while giving them tools that they can use throughout their lifetime.
Kisumu Campus
Our 1.5 acre campus houses two dorms with a capacity for 54 boys and 30 girls, allowing us to successfully rehabilitate and reintegrate over 450 children per year.
Kitale Campus
Our second reunification campus opened in July 2018 and currently houses two dorms with a capacity of 30 boys and 14 girls, allowing us to successfully rehabilitate and reintegrate over 300 children per year.
NAKURU OFFICE
Our satellite social work office opened in 2021 and allows us to conduct direct reintegrations. We are currently investigating our options and laying the groundwork for a rehabilitation campus to be established this year.
But Agape is not a long-term care program. We believe that the best place for children to be is with their families in their home communities. We seek to reintegrate a child back to their home as soon as we possibly can. We visit each child’s home to determine the truth that led to the child leaving and work to counsel and encourage families in their role as providers for their children.
Our staff also continue to share the word of God with the family, the lasting effect of which is often an entirely transformed family!
Agape and its amazing staff and comprehensive systems of reintegration [are] nothing short of a miracle from God.
Dan Hamer
overlake christian church, redmond WA
Agape and its amazing staff and comprehensive systems of reintegration [are] nothing short of a miracle from God.
