Presiding Bishop & General Overseer, Deliverance Church Kenya
Bishop Dr. Mark Kubai Kariuki is a distinguished Kenyan church leader, visionary, and spiritual father, widely recognized as the Presiding Bishop and General Overseer of Deliverance Church Kenya, a dynamic ministry comprising over 1,000 churches across Kenya and beyond.
Early Life and Spiritual Foundation
Bishop Mark Kariuki was born in Elburgon, Nakuru County, to Daniel and Monica Kariuki, in a family of eight children—four boys and four girls.
His upbringing was deeply rooted in Christian faith. His mother, who gave her life to Christ in 1955, played a pivotal role in shaping his spiritual foundation. She raised her children in prayer, teaching them to trust God in every situation and instilling in them the belief that nothing is impossible with God. Family prayer was central to their home life, especially during challenging moments.
In 1957, his father also gave his life to Christ after a group of believers visited their home and shared the Gospel. Bishop Kariuki often recalls participating—though fearfully as a young boy—in a symbolic act of discarding his father’s snuff into a pit latrine, marking a turning point of spiritual transformation in their household.
This strong Christian upbringing laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to ministry.
Education and Conversion
He attended Michinda Primary School in Elburgon before proceeding to Koelel High School in Gilgil. He later enrolled at Asumbi Teachers Training College (1973–1975).
It was during his time at Asumbi that Bishop Kariuki experienced a personal encounter with Christ, becoming born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit in 1973—a defining moment that would shape his destiny.
Teaching Career and Call to Ministry
After qualifying as a teacher, he was posted to Mombasa, where he continued to grow in faith and ministry alongside other believers. He later moved to Nakuru, serving as a teacher and eventually rising to the position of Deputy Headteacher at Kenyatta Primary School.
In July 1983, while attending the Billy Graham Conference for Itinerant Evangelists in Amsterdam, he received a clear call to full-time ministry. In obedience, he resigned from his teaching career to pursue God’s calling.
Founding of Deliverance Church (Life Celebration Centre)
In October 1983, Bishop Kariuki founded Deliverance Church Nakuru, also known as the Life Celebration Centre (LCC), beginning with just six young people meeting in his home before moving to the Old Town Hall.
Through passionate evangelism, school outreaches, and crusades, the church grew rapidly. By 1991, the church had over 2,000 members and acquired land in the Freehold area of Nakuru, establishing a permanent ministry base.
He played a key role in expanding Deliverance Church across the Central Rift Valley and other regions of Kenya, laying the groundwork for a national movement.
National and International Leadership
Bishop Kariuki rose through church leadership, serving as Chairman of the Deliverance Church Ministers Council before becoming General Overseer in November 2000, succeeding Bishop William Tuimising.
He currently chairs the Deliverance Church Council (DCC), the governing body of the ministry. Under his leadership, Deliverance Church has grown into a major Pentecostal movement with a strong national and global presence.
He also serves as:
Former Chairman of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK)
Member of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya
Member of the African Council of Apostles
Ministry Expansion and Media Influence
In 2005, Bishop Kariuki relocated to Nairobi, where he established Deliverance Church (House of Bread) at the KPCU Building along Haile Selassie Avenue.
He is a seasoned televangelist whose program, “Celebration Time,” airs on national television, and he has ministered consistently through media for over two decades.
He also leads digital outreach through global platforms, reaching thousands through daily teachings and online ministry.
Philanthropy and Social Impact
Bishop Kariuki is deeply committed to community transformation. He is the founder of:
Bishop Mark Kariuki Foundation, supporting the less fortunate
Moses & Mary Girls’ Home in Elburgon for orphaned girls
East Africa Centre for Law and Justice, promoting justice and societal values
Family Life
Bishop Kariuki married his first wife, Joyce Nduta (also referred to as Joyce Wangui), in April 1978. They were blessed with three children—Daniel, Nicky, and Lynne—and grandchildren.
Following her passing in November 2007, he remarried Joyce Wacera in May 2013 in a widely attended ceremony at Kasarani, attended by thousands.
Legacy and Influence
With over four decades in ministry, Bishop Mark Kariuki is widely regarded as a “pastor of pastors,” mentoring leaders across Kenya and internationally. He is a prolific teacher of the Word, author, and a respected voice in both church and national matters.
From humble beginnings with a small fellowship of six people, he has built a global ministry impacting thousands of lives.
His life reflects deep faith, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel, making him one of the most influential Christian leaders in Kenya and beyond.
