Our Leadership

Archbishop Samuel Andango was the founding Archbishop of the African Divine Church. Born in Western Kenya in the early twentieth century, he came to faith as a young man and soon sensed a clear calling from God to establish an indigenous African church that would honour both Scripture and African identity. In 1957, he stepped out in obedience to that call, gathering a small group of believers for prayer, Bible study, and evangelism. Under his leadership, ADC grew from a humble fellowship into a network of congregations across Western Kenya. He preached the gospel with conviction, trained the first generation of pastors, and laid the spiritual and organisational foundations upon which the church still stands. Archbishop Andango was known for his deep prayer life, his unwavering commitment to holiness, and his love for the people he served. He believed that the church must care for the whole person — spiritual, physical, social, and economic — and so he championed schools, clinics, and relief ministries alongside the preaching of the Word. He went to be with the Lord after a lifetime of faithful service, but his legacy endures. He is honoured at the headquarters in Gamalenga, where a mausoleum stands as a memorial to his life and ministry. The church he founded continues to grow, fulfilling the vision God placed in his heart more than six decades ago.

Rev. James Chabuga Lilege was born on, 15/02/1928. He was son of Rev. Saul Chabuga Chamwama, the first bishop of ADC. His mother was the late Elia Angano. He was born at Boyani, Gamalenga Sub-Location, Tambua Location, Tiriki West Division, Vihiga District (currently Hamisi District). He belonged to the “Vasaniaga” clan and uncled among the “Vatembuli” clan. He was dedicated on, 20/03/1928 by Rev. Zachariah Oyiengo of Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. He was educated at Gamalenga Primary School in 1935, moved to Simbi Primary School and finished at Nyang’ori in 1939. He was circumcised in 1939 and belonged to Jumo or Jongen I age set. He worked with Mackinon Road in the Ministry of Roads and Construction in 1945. He worked with AS Ghuma in 1959 in Mombasa in a veterinary laboratory. He started the work of the ADC Bishop in 1970. As the Bishop, he established Boyani Health Centre, Boyani nursery school, brought electricity, started the foundation for Boyani Bible College. He also started seven ADC primary schools namely; Wambandu in Vihiga, Mukomba, Singila in Migori, Bondeni in Kakamega, Musou in Nandi South, Bondeni in Lugari and Godown in Lugari. He also constructed various permanent ADC churches. Through him ADC expanded to Uganda and Tanzania. He married Jelida Kanaiza and was blessed with 11 children, 10 daughters and one son. The late Bishop James Chabuga started ailing in 2003 and was diagnosed with diabetes. He succumbed to death in 2005. The first commemoration of Rev Archbishop James Lilege after 40 days in 2005.

Rev. Archbishop John Saiya Lilege was born in 1968, to Rev. Archbishop James Chabuga and Jelida Kanaiza. The Archbishop belongs to the ‘Vasaniaga’ clan and uncled among ‘Vamavi clan. He was born at Boyani, Gamalenga Sub-Location, Tambua Location, Tiriki West Division, Vihiga District currently Hamisi district. The Archbishop attended Gamalenga Primary up to class 7. He passed Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) and proceeded to Kaimosi Boys for ordinary level (‘O’ level). The Bishop passed well and continued with ‘A’ level education at Senende High School which he completed and passed well. He joined Kenya School of Professional Studies and studied Computer. He joined University of Nairobi where he studied a diploma in Business Administration. Archbishop has also attended several church management courses with various church organizations for example, All Africa Council of Churches. He has also graduated with a Diploma in Theology. Before becoming the Archbishop of ADC, he worked for the Milling Corporation of Kenya as business executive personnel. He took over office after his father’s death in 2005. The Archbishop got married to Jane Karegi in 1989. They have four children: two sons and two daughters. As the Archbishop, he has put in place a Strategic Plan for the year 2009 - 2014. The Strategic Plan is to help him and his office bearers to assess the success of ADC by 2014 and be able to improve on any area that would not have achieved its objectives in the Plan then. He has also continued with the construction of the headquarters that had been laid by the father. In terms health services, the Boyani Dispensary has been expanded to accommodate a maternity wing, a Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre (VCT) and medical laboratory. A dental unit has also been initiated in partnership with Ukweli Mission Hospital. Dispensary services have also been expanded and two clinics have been opened at Mugango and Jemaga. Health education has been expanded door to door, through guidance and counseling and HIV and AIDS testing.