In July the Divine Providence leaders in Kenya hosted the American Board Members together with a team from Roswell United Methodist Church. Traveling to Nyahururu (a few hours north of Nairobi) to visit Kenyan Board Member Simon Mwaura, the team…
As a result of Stephen’s training at DPTC, his church members remarked that he “has become a pastor, not just an evangelist.” His church has doubled in size as has the number of different ministries he offers in the church. Stephen has a focus on leadership development, missions and reaching out to the downcast of the community.
Joseph and his wife talk about his thriving church that “competes” with a large mainline church just across the street. They are especially excited about their ministry to youth and about Joseph’s on-going outreach ministry of Peace & Reconciliation in his region where many different tribes are located.
Samuel felt led of God to leave his home two hours away and plant a church in Matasia near our property. We visited his six-month old church which started with five members and now has 60, most of whom we met and heard their testimonies. Many of these members told us that Samuel’s passion is for the “skinny” (poor) people, not the “fat” (rich). His church will be a great neighbor to our school.
Mercy is ministering in an area where there are no churches. This area has a strong Islamic influence and is dominated by a very dangerous anti-Christian cult. Although they have faced great challenges, even life-threatening ones, they have become a positive influence in the area as many are coming to Christ.
As a final bonus on the July trip the team was able to welcome the new class of pastor-students to the first day of their third school term. Sally Gresham shared with the class during one of the first sessions which was culminated with the presentation to each student of a prized African Christian resource book, African Bible Commentary. This book is written by African Christian scholars especially for Africans and will be a great study aid for these students. Besides the materials received in the school, this book may be the only study resource other than the Bible that many of the students ever own.
James has a growing church in the center of his village. His passions are developing his members in the study of the Scriptures, counseling marriages, and changing the poverty-victim mindset in his community.
Timothy currently is pursuing God’s vision to return to his tribal homeland and minister to his Turkana people. He also has a longing to evangelize the tribe that has been a long time enemy of his own tribe.