The Enduring Faith of Phides Wakesho Kaia
Kathy Davis
Sr. Director of Wholistic Care
It was an ordinary afternoon in June when Phides Kaia’s world changed forever. On the other end of the phone, the voice of my beloved friend in Kenya carried the sound of her deepest sorrow, a guttural wail that reflected her unimaginable loss. Through her tears, she could only utter the words, “He’s gone, he’s gone; my Bishop has gone to be with the Lord.” Bishop Dr. Julius Kaia, her beloved husband, best friend, and partner in ministry, had unexpectedly passed away on June 25, 2024. The grief was raw, overwhelming, and, even 14 months later, it lingers. Yet, in the midst of this profound loss, Phides clings to a legacy of hope, anchored by her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ.
Phides’ journey with Jesus began in her childhood, a faith that has guided her through every season of life. In 1979, she met Julius Kaia, a man whose heart more than matched her own devotion. They married on December 27, 1980, in a Pentecostal Church in Mombasa, Kenya, embarking on a shared mission to serve God and their community. Together, they raised four children–three boys and one girl–after the heartbreaking loss of their firstborn, just days after her birth. Each of their children has since built families of their own, raising them in the fear of the Lord.
Julius, a PhD holder in Agricultural Economics, was more than a scholar; he was a visionary, husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and the founder of Fountain of Hope Church & Ministries, established alongside Phides on August 5, 2001. They were a formidable couple and could always be found ministering together. In 2006, they relocated their ministry to Syokimau, where they purchased land and continued their work. Their ministry extended beyond the church, as they partnered with World Orphans and River Oaks Church in Maryville, TN, in 2010 to support vulnerable children and families through residential and Home Based Care (HBC) programs. For 15 years, this partnership has witnessed the transformation of lives through the love of the church, bringing spiritual hope, education, and physical care to vulnerable children and the broader community in Kenya.
Phides is a woman of remarkable strength and accomplishment. A retired banker since 2011, she returned to college in 2016 to pursue medicine, graduating as a Kenya Registered Nurse. Today, she runs Mama Wakesho Medical Clinic in Syokimau, where she serves as the Nurse-in-Charge and recently opened a second clinic in Kitui. A trained counselor and preacher, Phides is presently pursuing a Doctorate in Theology in Uganda, a testament to her lifelong commitment to learning and serving others. Since Julius’ passing, she has taken on the leadership of Fountain of Hope Church & Ministries, carrying forward her husband’s vision with courage and faith.
The couple’s shared dream included ambitious plans for the future: opening a Bible College in Brake Corner, Kitui, and constructing permanent church buildings to replace the semi-permanent structures. These goals remain at the heart of Phides’ mission, as she works to honor Julius’ legacy while forging her own path.
The sudden loss of Bishop Julius left Phides in a state of shock and despair. “I felt there was no need for me to live too,” she recalls. Yet, in the silence of her grief, she continues to hear God’s gentle whisper: “I am with you.” This divine reassurance, the support of her children, Fountain of Hope Church, River Oaks Church communities, and countless friends, have sustained her. Though her Bishop was the agriculturalist, she has been finding therapeutic solace in planting fruit trees and vegetables and looks forward to the harvest that will come. “Grief visits me now and then,” Phides admits, “but I am finding hope in the Lord Jesus, knowing this is not the end; only a pause until we meet again in glory.”
Julius’ voice, laughter, and vision live on in the churches they built, the children they raised, the lives they touched, and the love they shared. Bishop Julius’ race may be complete, but Phides continues to run hers with resilience and faith, carrying his legacy forward. Through unimaginable loss, she is already reaping a harvest of hope in God, who fills her with joy in her grief, peace in her pain, and the courage to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Phides embodies a legacy that transcends sorrow, and continues a legacy of hope that will inspire generations to come.