Father Djasgombaye Gokam Bienvenu, a Comboni missionary priest, recounts his vocation journey from his multifaith upbringing in Chad to his work in the Diocese of Lodwar in Kenya.
I am the firstborn in a family of two boys. I grew up in a large extended family, and our household included grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and grandchildren. There was a rich mix of religious beliefs within our family: some were Christians – both Catholics and Protestants – while others were Muslim. This multicultural, multifaith environment had a significant impact on my upbringing.
As a child, I attended the Baptist church with my grandfather for several years and took an active part in its activities. When my grandfather fell ill and could no longer accompany me, however, I began attending the Catholic church with my grandmother, mother and neighbours. Over time, I became accustomed to the Catholic tradition and, even on Sundays when my family did not go, I would still accompany our neighbours.
A key aspect of my family life is freedom of religion: nobody is forced to adhere to a specific faith or denomination. Everyone is free to choose their own spiritual path. It is also worth noting that infant baptism is uncommon in Chad. Baptism usually occurs in adulthood. For this reason, I was baptised in the Catholic Church on 26 March 2005 and confirmed on 10 September 2006.
As I grew older, a new priest arrived at our parish, bringing fresh energy to the community. He revitalised the parish’s vocational group and I was eager to join. The group was open to all young people who were considering their future path, whether towards religious life, the priesthood or marriage. Connected to the diocesan vocation commission, we participated in quarterly recollections at the diocesan level.
During these recollections, I met the Comboni missionaries. Before this, I had read about Saint Daniel Comboni and his missionary journey from Italy through Egypt to Sudan in Comboni Missionary magazine Afriquespoir.
Inspired by their example and the legacy of Saint Daniel Comboni, I embarked on my vocational journey with the Comboni Missionaries. I attended monthly meetings, where we explored the theme: Walking with Jesus and Saint Daniel Comboni. These gatherings provided a sacred space for reflection, growth and discernment, continuing the longing that had first stirred in me during my ordination years.
Following a period of personal reflection and with my parents’ blessing, I officially embarked on my vocational journey in September 2009 by entering the postulancy programme in Sarh. This programme was specifically for Chadian candidates and marked my first experience of living in a community with people from across the country. It was a time of learning, both academically and relationally. We encountered challenges in communication, dialogue and building relationships as we were all getting to know new personalities and perspectives.
In 2012, after completing the postulancy programme, I was admitted to the novitiate in Sarh, which had recently been established. There, I met candidates from several French-speaking countries. This was my first time living and sharing life with people from outside my home country, and it was a profoundly enriching experience.
We exchanged cultural practices, discussed liturgical differences and collaborated to harmonise our celebrations, particularly the Mass, ensuring everyone felt included. These conversations helped us to find common ground and deepened our appreciation of the diversity within the Church.
On 11 May 2014, we joyfully professed our first religious vows. I was then assigned to Nairobi, Kenya, to undertake theological studies. Moving to Nairobi was a major milestone: not only was it the first time I had left Chad, but I also didn’t speak English. My time in Nairobi was filled with grace. Learning English and studying theology were both challenging and rewarding. I encountered new cultures, deepened my understanding of the faith and experienced spiritual and intellectual growth.
After completing my theological studies, I returned home to begin my missionary service. My final religious vows, professed on July 18th, 2020, and my diaconate ordination, celebrated the very next day, July 19th, 2020, at Holy Trinity Parish in Moïssala. Then, on 30 January 2021, I was ordained priest at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Sarh.
Following this, I was assigned to serve in Chad. I remained at Holy Trinity Parish in Moïssala until 2022, after which I was transferred to Saint Michael Parish in Bodo. Then, on 1 January 2024, I received a new assignment in the Province of Kenya. I was appointed to Risen Christ Parish in Nakwamekwi, which is located in the Diocese of Lodwar in Kenya.
One of the ongoing challenges I have faced on my missionary journey is language. Although I have a natural talent for learning languages, each new context presents its own challenges. Currently in Kenya, I am working hard to learn Swahili and Turkana, both of which are essential for effective pastoral ministry in Lodwar.
Despite the difficulty, I find great beauty in learning new languages as they open doors to deeper connections and understanding. Through daily practice and with God’s grace, I am hopeful that I will soon become fluent in these languages, continuing to grow as a missionary and servant of the Gospel.
