Creating Understanding Institute is a Bible-inspired legacy, nearly seven decades in the making. 

Professor Donald K. Smith, the principal founder of CUI, whose practice cuts across nations, has taught and written extensively on Communication and the Christian message for almost 70 years. 

In 1971, Professor Smith and his wife, Faye, founded the famous Daystar University (Kenya). The experience and insights gained from teaching, training and lecturing in nearly one hundred countries across five continents inspired Professor Smith’s book, Creating Understanding: A Framework for Life, published in 1992. A Second Edition is due for release in late 2021.

There was a great need to package the valuable lessons picked up over decades of multicultural involvement into a contemporary, easily accessible and teachable format.

The vision has culminated in the founding of the Creating Understanding Institute in 2021.

Our mission is to create an understanding of God’s love in every culture, and we have four arms to achieve this:

CUI’s outreach methods focus on Bible-based innovation and creativity, experiential training and discipleship, culturally-relevant artistic forms and expressions, [creating receptivity to the message of Jesus} and mobilizing and equipping people to worship God and delight in Him.

Professor Donald K. Smith is an expert in multicultural communication. His practice cuts across nations, teaching and writing about effective Christian communication for nearly seven decades.

Born in 1929 in Portland, Oregon, USA, Prof. Smith earned four degrees attending various schools and pursuing different interests including English, Linguistics, Literature, Biology, Communications, African Affairs, Education and Journalism.

His wide scope of knowledge prepared him for endeavors as a communication trainer and researcher, which he has practiced on five continents, based in four countries, for more than sixty years.

Smith has written extensively on communication and the Christian message. That explains why he and his wife founded Daystar University (Kenya) in 1971. His passion made him a global citizen and took him to South Africa, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia), Kenya, USA and back to Kenya (as a permanent resident) with a combined experience of nearly seventy years.

Through his academic and professional journey, Smith has become a remarkable trainer who marries Christian experience to the communication profession, focusing on in-depth understanding of culture and response to God in Christ.

He has offered lectures and seminars and consulted on his special topics with institutions in nearly one hundred countries across five continents. In addition he developed the missions program at Western Seminary and founded, along with his wife Faye, the WorldView Centre, both in Portland, Oregon.

Smith has been keen on cementing his legacy, consequently founding with colleagues the Creating Understanding Institute – CUI. The Institute is inspired by his book Creating Understanding: A Framework for Life, published in 1992; Second Edition forthcoming in late 2021.

Prof. Smith has been married to Faye (Schick) Smith for over 70 years and is a father of two. Faye Smith is an accomplished musician and ethnomusicologist, and worked alongside Don to establish Daystar and build their various ministries in cross-cultural communication. The Smiths now live in Kenya.

Julisa grew up in Zimbabwe and Kenya, trained in the US in Drama and Intercultural Communications, and has been living and working with her family in Kenya for the past 16 years. She is an internationally known actress, director, trainer and ethnodramatologist.

Bill has an MA in Church Music and is a renowned trumpet player and instructor. His heart for worship shows in his courses and conversations.

Jay Marburger is a passionate storyteller with experience creating media for use on various platforms including television, web and live presentations. A graduate of Daystar University, she has graced both screen and stage and uses her experience to work behind the scenes to bring stories to life in an appealing, relevant and visually interesting manner.

Sakina Mirichii is a creative with an analytical side, starting out her career as an actor in 2009. She has since had her written work run in various blogs and websites, and has experience on set and stage in various roles from producing to marketing. She enjoys working with people and creating an environment where everyone feels valued.

Alex Masinde was born and raised in Kenya. He is a Video editor and Photographer with over six years of experience in video production and photography. Alex has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication (Electronic Media & Public Relations) from Daystar University.

William Mwangi is a professional actor, writer, and improv artist. He holds a BA in Film Technology and Theatre arts from Kenyatta University and has gained over a decade experience in the film and theatre industry. He is a Harvard Law school certified Intellectual property consultant.

Rose is a qualified and experienced Human Resources and Administration professional with a great passion in driving organisation success. She is a team leader with over 15 years of experience drawn from various industries including Not for Profit Organisations, Investment Companies and Church Institutions.

1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ alone is absolutely essential.
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
7.  We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
8. We also believe the following commitments to be assumptions of the historic Christian Church: