“It is my prayer that (my) ministry would ‘Advance the Gospel of Christ', Bless and give strength to the weak', Charge young people to keep their lives pure', Draw people to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (and) ‘Equip the saints for works of service'. It is my desire as the body of Christ and especially the young people, who would grow up into the fullness measure of the stature of Jesus Christ as Lord.”

That barely sounds like a DJ, leave alone a highly sought after and talented mainstream one at that. Such a maxim could very easily be attributed to a long-serving youth pastor. But DJ Moz is no ordinary Disc Jockey.

This affable and down-to-earth DJ (real name Moses Mathenge) has been called by God to reach out to young people and proclaim the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prompted by the knowledge that music, a popular form of entertainment locally, plays a central role in the lives of many of young persons, as well as the fact that their sensitization to mainstream secular music did more harm than good in the building of their character, this young man entered the scene in September 1999.

As the ground-breaking DJ in the gospel scene, he pioneered the playing and ‘mixing' of all gospel music genres (popularly known as DJ-ing) to listeners either through radio, at Christian concerts or various private and public functions.

Even though he has now established himself as one of the pre-eminent DJ's in the country, his path has by no means been smooth or free from snags. Introducing DJ-ing to believers at the time was no mean feat. This mode of entertainment was synonymous with a certain lifestyle unpalatable to his Christian leaders and peers, as the greater majority of music ‘spun' by his mainstream contemporaries were polluted with messages of sex, drugs and materialism.

Nonetheless his big break came early in the year 2000. Family Media had put together a national talent competition known then as the “ Battle of the Choirs”, and DJ Moz was invited to entertain the young Christians in attendance. The response was overwhelming and deeply vindicating, transforming him into an overnight sensation. Doors started swinging wide open soon after. In May of the same year, the organizers of the event invited him to host a drive-time show known as Kubamba on Family FM. The show, aimed at getting young people more tuned in to urban gospel music became an immensely popular broadcast, further developing what was to become a major ministry in Nairobi and beyond. Since then, DJ Moz has had opportunity to be involved with 96.4 Nation FM, 101.9 Metro FM and 93.3 Hope FM.

Appreciating the fact that the ministry was growing in leaps and bounds, he prayerfully came to the conclusion that integrating more people into the ministry was crucial. Enter K-Krew! Members were drawn from pastors, gospel artists and other DJs, with the core team being Njugush, Miss Ashley and Gowi Odera.

It's not hard to see why the ministry has experienced exponential growth. Incorporating a healthy dose of youth outreach events, high school evangelism, neighborhood as well as prison ministries, the K-Krew is now one of the more established independent entertainment ministries around. Teaming up with local NGO I Choose Life, some of their members have received training in HIV/AIDS awareness. Now abstinence is strongly emphasized in their youth ministry. Highlighting the benefits of this program, Moses Mathenge says,

“We hope that the lives of young people shall be changed and they shall have a desire to live pure and holy lives for God. Promiscuity, alcoholism, drug abuse, theft, AIDS, among others, will decrease as many are drawn to Christ.”

But DJ Moz is the first to admit that numerous challenges remain. More conservative Christian leaders still mount opposition towards his style of ministry, adversely affecting the number of organizations involved in their work. In addition, sourcing and obtaining fresh music from overseas markets, the very tools of his trade, is a difficult and expensive process. This is exasperated by the fact that he receives little or no funds for his radio programs, even exasperating the hiring and transportation of equipment to and from various ministry sites. Private functions, as is the case with many local DJ's, still remain the core revenue stream. Still this is spread out very thin for the cause of Christ in his various ministries.

Still, his steely resolve is not broken by challenges, and it's hard not be drawn to this dreadlocked minister. His warm smile, charisma and raw passion for ministry and the things of God push him to be optimistic and have a sunny disposition towards his endeavours. Speaking of his desire to see the ministry scale to greater heights, he says:

“Your sacrifice can help young people to fully appreciate themselves in Christ, those around them, and what they have been given by God. They shall strive to use what has been given to them by God more effectively for the edification of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:16 ). We will also be able to go to other parts of the country as ambassadors of Christ through music. In doing this, we will be able to meet our listeners and hold life-changing concerts. It is our prayer that our own nation will see change, that others will witness it and desire to have the same revival in their own countries.”

What a fantastic minister! With his determination, the ongoing support of faithful believers, and the Lord on his side, he is an artist we are likely to see around for many years to come. Hats off!!

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