A pastor based in Schenectady, New York, passed away on Wednesday, July 19, after years of turmoil in her native country, Kenya.
After spending over 30 years in the ministry, Jane Wambui Galuza passed away at her residence in New York State, surrounded by her friends and family.
Due to threats rooted in her affiliation with an international church, Wambui, who had devoted her life to the church, was compelled to flee Kenya and seek refuge in the United States.
After arriving in New York in March 2002, the Kirinyaga-native had to adapt to the diverse cultures in the West.
In fear of rejection, the pastor habitually did not reveal her native country, choosing to simply mention that she was from Africa.
Two years later, Wambui married Bradley Galuza, and they embarked on a journey to the State of Maine to further their mission of spreading the gospel.
The ordained minister was part of a committee that sought to renovate the church's halls all over New England.
She also graduated from Bath Adult Education Bailey Evening School with a High School Equivalency Diploma. Six years later, on April 16, 2010, Wambui became a naturalized citizen of The United States.
Friends and families revealed she put over 1,000 hours a month into her ministry. This is after she became an ordained minister in May 1971.
"She has many spiritual children here in the United States and Kenya. Anyone who knew her couldn’t help but love her because of her love for others and an unmatched zeal for the truth," read part of a statement from the family.
"Jane will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her, but not for long, since she is safely in Jehovah God's Book of life."
Prior to her ministry, the 78-year-old worked for a number of years for an Oil Company in Kenya as a secretary before retiring in 1993 to spend more time in her volunteer ministry as a regular pioneer.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 29, at 2:00 pm at the church's hall at 1720 Albany Street, Schenectady, New York.
