In the providence of God, a divine encounter unfolded in early 2016, as Dr. Sixbert SANGWA and Prof. Dr. Placide MUTABAZI found themselves brought together in their workplace. It was through this serendipitous meeting that the seeds of Open Christian Ministries (OCM) were sown, as they sensed a shared calling placed upon their hearts. Through prayerful guidance and a deepening fellowship, they embarked on a journey of spiritual preparation, recognizing their responsibility to steward the mission entrusted to them.

The birth of Open Christian Ministries in 2019 was a testament to the faithfulness of God in orchestrating divine appointments and opening doors of opportunity. With reverence and humility, the founders embraced their role in advancing the Kingdom of God through the integration of biblical principles into the realms of business and professional affairs. This sacred mission, divinely inspired, sought to uphold the values of Marketplace Ministry, Christian Charity, and Christian Education, recognizing them as pillars upon which the ministry was founded.

In obedience to the divine mandate, Open Christian Ministries established Open Christian University, a beacon of light in a world yearning for spiritual enlightenment. This institution, birthed from a heart of service, was entrusted with the solemn duty of equipping marketplace ministers for the challenges of the end times. Guided by the wisdom of Scripture, the University embarked on a journey to nurture and empower servants of God, preparing them to bear fruit in abundance for His glory.

The providential hand of God continued to guide the footsteps of Open Christian Ministries and Open Christian University, as evidenced by their journey across continents and borders. From humble beginnings in South Africa, to the United States, and beyond, the ministries expanded their reach, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. Through fervent prayer and unwavering faith, they received favor in the eyes of governing authorities, obtaining licensure and recognition as a beacon of excellence in ministerial education.

With each passing day, Open Christian University remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence, offering ministerial education of the highest caliber to seekers of truth around the globe. Through innovative e-learning platforms and strategic partnerships with affiliated institutions, the University continues to fulfill its sacred mission of equipping servants of God for the harvest fields of the world. May all glory and honor be ascribed to the Almighty, who orchestrates every step of this divine journey, leading His people in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

OCU ’s Values that enable us to pursue our Mission are:

1. Be a Servant to Others: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for these least of mine, you did it for me.” (Matthew 25:45). Serving others is one of the most essential components of the Christian life. When we practice charity in the world around us, it is an act of social justice, compassion, and love. As our students know, at Open Christian University we encourage serving others through different volunteer ministry and service opportunities. While Christian Service outside of university is an important component of living your values, there are plenty of opportunities to be a servant to others during the school day. When you strive to be helpful, or even simply cheer someone up if they’re having a rough day, you are putting the needs of others before your own, and that has a huge impact—on others and on yourself!

2. Practice Honesty: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25). You may not think about it, but we all have many opportunities to tell white lies throughout the day. Practising honesty is one way to become more mindful of your values. In the classroom, on the sports field, and during other activities throughout the day, strive to be truthful with your words and actions. 

3. Work and Learn with Integrity: “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” (2 Corinthians 8:21). We all encounter difficult or frustrating situations throughout the day. As members of a Christian institution, working with integrity means trying your best, even when it may feel challenging to do so. It also means, whether you win or lose, doing so graciously. Another way to show integrity at school is to meet your responsibilities.

4. Demonstrate Respect: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Matthew 7:12). Every human being deserves respect, and school is the perfect place to teach and practice giving it. During the school day, practice showing respect to everyone you come across, whether teachers, fellow students, or support staff. 

5. Show Forgiveness: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13). We can’t control the actions of others, but we can control the way we respond to them. Even though other people may not always act in a way we agree with, we can make an effort to forgive them. It’s important to forgive others—but it’s just as important to be forgiving of yourself. Maybe you didn’t do as well as you wanted on a test, or maybe you feel that you performed poorly during a competition. Sometimes, failure is inevitable. The important thing is that you are able to pick yourself up and try again; in other words, be forgiving of your own mistakes and learn from them to do better next time.

We are committed to achieving excellence in Christian education for business and professional missions, and to maintaining international leadership in executive teaching. The university emphasizes providing affordable and mission-driven flexible higher education leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, through online and distance education. Our courses are open to anyone who meets our admission criteria. All of our courses require extensive study / research and self-discipline.

OCU also has various Affiliate Centers in many countries, providing an innovative online learning and research experience for students from many countries around the world. We also partner with universities that have programs with the highest curriculum standards contextualized to the 21st-century framework.