It is Saturday evening and we have just finished our first conference in Nalepo with over 100 pastors and church leaders, and tomorrow we head to Churo for our second conference. But I'd like to catch you up on what has been happening since we arrived in Kenya on Thursday, the 16th. That evening I was picked up at the airport by Frank in our new vehicle, a 2020 Turbo Diesal Hilux. This truck is an answer to many prayers and we want to thank all of you who contributed!
Sunday morning, John, Frank and I met Pastor Fred Maina at Karura Community Chapel for the service. He was there with his wife and their grandchildren. We will be taking a trip to Malindi in May with Pastor Fred to meet the area pastors there who are very interested in bringing our training to their pastors and church leaders, so more on that later.
Monday morning we headed down to Nalepo and arrived to find new accommodations at Pastor Stephen's place. Since last year he built four guest cottages on his property, and is in the process of building a reception, dining hall and kitchen as well.
It has been a blessing to have such a nice place to stay!
Tuesday morning, I joined Stephen and Felix, Stephen's first-born son, during the milking. Stephen is Masaai, and the Masaai are all about their cattle!
Wednesday morning we began our conference and I was joined this year by one of our API Associate teachers, Bishop Fredrick Ndondo.
We were also joined by the area AGC Bishop (African Gospel Church), Peter Sinti, who oversees 300 AGC churches.
Pastor Shadrack, our API conference director and John Kamau, our API media specialist, along with Frank Maina (pictured with the vehicle earlier) rounded out the team. Below, Shadrack is standing on the site of the new church being built by Pastor Stephen in the village of Olulaimutia. And no, those workers are not wearing safety harnesses!
We spent the week studying through the two letters of Paul to Timothy, and every pastor I talked to said that this conference was so timely for them. In 1st and 2nd Timothy, Paul has a lot to say about confronting the false teachers and false teachings that were coming into the church there in Ephesus, and that struck a chord with these pastors as they have seen the false gospel of prosperity preaching overtake churches in their communities. Many of them told me they were incredibly blessed by this conference and really felt empowered to stand against these teachings infecting the churches in their communities and to accurately teach the truth. Others also said that they felt encouraged and equipped to persevere in their role as shepherds of God's flock. One of the pastors under Pastor Stephen shared with him that he had come this week prepared to resign as pastor as he was so discouraged and disappointed in his pastoral ministry. But the teachings this week rekindled the fire, he said, and now he felt strengthened to remain. We thank God for His word of truth!
Thanks to Crossway and Ekklesia Afrika, we were able to supply these pastors with good book resources and Global Study bibles.
Below, Bishop Sinti is holding Crossway's Pastor's Library which are seven books that cover the essential doctrines of the faith.
Sunday morning we'll say goodbye to our very gracious host and hostess, Pastor Stephen and Beatrice Muntet until next year as we head up to Nakuru and then to Churo. Thank you for your prayers for us as we travel.