We've started our mission in Nairobi at 'The church of the Lord - Faith healing ministries' hosted by Bishop Abednego. Our first service was monday night. Tonight will be the first night of the churches schedued revival services. So far we have held seminars and we have taken turns in preaching.
What has been a real encouragement is when we have seen that one persons message is directly related to the others on the same night. I sat there on monday night and listened as Erwin was summing up and found that the start of my message followed on and relate to what he finished on. Last night I got to hear Timothy preach and he spoke on 'Integrity in Worship' using Job as an example. It was a really good message. I had a sermon prepared but after hearing him preach decided to put it aside and preach the one that I had felt so stirred to write that day. I ministered on loving God or loving the world. The context of the sermon tied in very well with what Timothy was preaching.
The situation here is very different to England. In English churches we have many teachers but not many evangelists. In Kenya there is an abundance of evangelists but few teachers. What I have found is if you preach very directly and with an evangelistic emphasis the people respond very well to that. Also they responded well when I shared one important verse and spoke it in their own language. {Even though I didn't pronounce it very clearly!}. I think the people are beginning to warm to us.
The praise and worship is very vibrant which is another thing I like. Please continue to pray for us as we are only just beginning. The numbers tend to increase night by night as the event spreads by word of mouth so pray that those who are sick will come and be healed and that those who don't know the Lord would come also.
During the day we will be split up and go to various churches that Bishop Abednego has planted out. Despite having written out a umber of sermons I find myself busy making more noted day by day {On the plane, in the departure lounge, even in Dubai airport overlooking a mosque}. God is giving us the words to speak. Continue to pray that God's word would be spoken and that it would bear much fruit in peoples lives.
shalom...Steve
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Church of the Lord.
Our mission will start at the 'Church of the Lord' in the city of Nairobi with Bishop Abednego Maundu Nthiwa. The mission will continue there until the 14th July. {Although I will be moving on to minister in other places on the 7th}. Bishop Abednego has planted out a number of churches in the region and we may have the opportunity to visit some of them and minister there.
On the 6th of July there is a special celebration for the church. The church celebrates it's 21st anniversary. Today around 1,000 people attend 'Church of the Lord' with people being trained to pastor and going as far afield as Mombasa on the coast to start a new work.
Our theme for the mission will be 'defeating the giants' and is something I felt God speak to me about and was confirmed by another in a prayer meeting. We will be looking at Daniel chapter 7 as well as how David defeated Goliath. {Not just a children's story! There is a wealth of spiritual truth buried in that passage}. I will also be looking at the 7 tribes of Canaan which the children of Israel has to defeat to enter the promised land. Each of those 7 tribes represent a stronghold in peoples lives which by the power of God and His word we can overcome.
One of those tribes are called 'Perizzites'. They lived in unwalled cities and were known for their violent attacks on the weak and vulnerable. Another tribe are the Jebusites who were the inhabitants of what is now called Jerusalem. They are associated with condemnation and discouragement.
No doubt I will share more when we are over there. I am looking forward to seeing all that the Lord will do.
God bless you...Steve
On the 6th of July there is a special celebration for the church. The church celebrates it's 21st anniversary. Today around 1,000 people attend 'Church of the Lord' with people being trained to pastor and going as far afield as Mombasa on the coast to start a new work.
Our theme for the mission will be 'defeating the giants' and is something I felt God speak to me about and was confirmed by another in a prayer meeting. We will be looking at Daniel chapter 7 as well as how David defeated Goliath. {Not just a children's story! There is a wealth of spiritual truth buried in that passage}. I will also be looking at the 7 tribes of Canaan which the children of Israel has to defeat to enter the promised land. Each of those 7 tribes represent a stronghold in peoples lives which by the power of God and His word we can overcome.
One of those tribes are called 'Perizzites'. They lived in unwalled cities and were known for their violent attacks on the weak and vulnerable. Another tribe are the Jebusites who were the inhabitants of what is now called Jerusalem. They are associated with condemnation and discouragement.
No doubt I will share more when we are over there. I am looking forward to seeing all that the Lord will do.
God bless you...Steve
Flying out today. {at Last!}
At long last time time has come and the three of us {Myself along with Erwin and his son Timothy} will be flying out to Nairobi. We will be stopping off in the United Arab Emirites in the middle east for several hours and will arrive in Kenya on sunday.
I took my first malaria prevention tablet today and made a mistake. The instructions stated that one tablet should be taken after eating food. I got up yesterday morning thinking 'I ate last night. That should be O.K' only to find myself feeling like throwing up. Once I got into town and bought myself a greesy burger I felt much better. {Who said greesy food is bad for you?} I think the tablets are designed to release what they contain into your system gradually and it happens much faster if there is nothing to line your stomach.
I'm also looking forward to seing the middle eastern city of Dubai. Apparently one in four of the worlds cranes are in operation in that city, such is the building work going on there. The city has been built on the proceeds of it's vast oil wealth.
I took my first malaria prevention tablet today and made a mistake. The instructions stated that one tablet should be taken after eating food. I got up yesterday morning thinking 'I ate last night. That should be O.K' only to find myself feeling like throwing up. Once I got into town and bought myself a greesy burger I felt much better. {Who said greesy food is bad for you?} I think the tablets are designed to release what they contain into your system gradually and it happens much faster if there is nothing to line your stomach.
I'm also looking forward to seing the middle eastern city of Dubai. Apparently one in four of the worlds cranes are in operation in that city, such is the building work going on there. The city has been built on the proceeds of it's vast oil wealth.
Monday, 5 May 2008
At Last! A confirmation.
Well at last I finally have a confirmed series of dates for the trip. They are as follows.
Nairobi mission at the church of Bishop Abednego : Starting sunday June 29th through to sunday July 6th.
The city of Eldoret at the church of Pastor Joseph Karanja {Gospel Fire ministries} : Starting monday July 7th through to thursday July 17th.
Bungoma : Seminars at the church of brother Moses Nyongesa : From friday July 18th to saturday July 19th.
Bungoma prison ministry : Sunday July 20th.
Erwin and myself are meeting regularly for prayer for this mission and I would like to encourage you to pray for us as well that God would give us favour in all we do and that we would be guided by Him. I will start posting prayer details relevant to the trip soon.
God bless you...steve
Nairobi mission at the church of Bishop Abednego : Starting sunday June 29th through to sunday July 6th.
The city of Eldoret at the church of Pastor Joseph Karanja {Gospel Fire ministries} : Starting monday July 7th through to thursday July 17th.
Bungoma : Seminars at the church of brother Moses Nyongesa : From friday July 18th to saturday July 19th.
Bungoma prison ministry : Sunday July 20th.
Erwin and myself are meeting regularly for prayer for this mission and I would like to encourage you to pray for us as well that God would give us favour in all we do and that we would be guided by Him. I will start posting prayer details relevant to the trip soon.
God bless you...steve
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
The Church in Bungoma.
Bungoma will be the third and final place I will be visiting. Here are a few details on the church I will be ministering at which have been forwarded to me by brother Moses Nyongesa.
Church History.
As I quote the precious prayer of brother Rudy Lack when he said "any significant move of God must be birthed in prayer." We must travail for us to prevail. This ministry began in the year 2002, before that God had spoken to me several years ago and which was confirmed by seasoned and anointed men and women of God concerning God's burden and call upon my life. At that time I was in MEIF ministries and I thought I was making an impact for God, but strangely God laid a heavy conviction in my heart to be seperate, stand out, to deliver His people and usher them into His prepared place for them to posses their possession. His still small voice always urged me to move forward and never settle for anything less than His divine agenda and assignment. God wanted me to trail blaze, to track down un-trodden territory for Christ.
I lionked with the various men of God from different ministries to pray as a team and seek God in detail concerning His purpose. Our prayer meeting was punctuated with mighty visitations of God's power which were evidenced in signs, wonders and tangible manifestations of His power. We sought to hear God in detail. We forsook the older traps of prioritising activity over prayer and we had round the clock prayer meetings. God started to speak to my brethrn emphasising the urgency of fulfilling His assignment. Our unconnected revelations dovetailed together and these jigsaw pieces fell into place to create a clear picture of God's agenda for us in intercession and final confirmation of God's leading.
We finaly began the ministry as a house fellowship, which was vibrant and effective. God started connecting us to other brethren in the rural regions to whom I gave my pattern for church growth through house fellowships which by now have translated into dynamic churches in all our regions. The pattern of church planting we deployed first of all is....
1/ Effective prayer.
2/ Evangelism
3/ Church planting {via house fellowship}
4/ Nurturing and discipleship
his has proved to be an effective and practical pattern for church planting, church growth and raising other churches. God brought my way men and women oozing withpotential to advance this vision. God's stamp was so clearly on this venture that despite the overwhelming odds I felt quietly assured. I have seen His dismantle seemingly insurmountable barriers and give us victory in every task.
Church History.
As I quote the precious prayer of brother Rudy Lack when he said "any significant move of God must be birthed in prayer." We must travail for us to prevail. This ministry began in the year 2002, before that God had spoken to me several years ago and which was confirmed by seasoned and anointed men and women of God concerning God's burden and call upon my life. At that time I was in MEIF ministries and I thought I was making an impact for God, but strangely God laid a heavy conviction in my heart to be seperate, stand out, to deliver His people and usher them into His prepared place for them to posses their possession. His still small voice always urged me to move forward and never settle for anything less than His divine agenda and assignment. God wanted me to trail blaze, to track down un-trodden territory for Christ.
I lionked with the various men of God from different ministries to pray as a team and seek God in detail concerning His purpose. Our prayer meeting was punctuated with mighty visitations of God's power which were evidenced in signs, wonders and tangible manifestations of His power. We sought to hear God in detail. We forsook the older traps of prioritising activity over prayer and we had round the clock prayer meetings. God started to speak to my brethrn emphasising the urgency of fulfilling His assignment. Our unconnected revelations dovetailed together and these jigsaw pieces fell into place to create a clear picture of God's agenda for us in intercession and final confirmation of God's leading.
We finaly began the ministry as a house fellowship, which was vibrant and effective. God started connecting us to other brethren in the rural regions to whom I gave my pattern for church growth through house fellowships which by now have translated into dynamic churches in all our regions. The pattern of church planting we deployed first of all is....
1/ Effective prayer.
2/ Evangelism
3/ Church planting {via house fellowship}
4/ Nurturing and discipleship
his has proved to be an effective and practical pattern for church planting, church growth and raising other churches. God brought my way men and women oozing withpotential to advance this vision. God's stamp was so clearly on this venture that despite the overwhelming odds I felt quietly assured. I have seen His dismantle seemingly insurmountable barriers and give us victory in every task.
Monday, 17 March 2008
Bungoma jail opens up?
Only yesterday I received news that an opportunity to minister may have come up in a prison at a place called Bungoma. A minister who is an acquaintance of mine ministered there several months ago and saw many hundreds confess Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Now he has told me he may be able to get me permission to go into that same prison to minister while I am in Kenya.
Bungoma is close to the Ugandan border and within an hours drive of Eldoret. This is a fantastic opportunity if it comes to pass. Please pray for me regarding the situation, for God's leading and purposes to come to pass. God is able to open doors no man can shut, even prison doors.
Bungoma is close to the Ugandan border and within an hours drive of Eldoret. This is a fantastic opportunity if it comes to pass. Please pray for me regarding the situation, for God's leading and purposes to come to pass. God is able to open doors no man can shut, even prison doors.
The church in Eldoret.
Initially the trip to Kenya was for a church in Nairobi {more about that soon} but later I received an invitation to minister at a pentecostal church in the eastern city of Eldoret in the Rift valley. The church is called 'Gospel Fire' and has been there for several years and is pastored by Joseph Karanja. Joseph has battled against incredible odds to keep the church going. He was once part of a small pentecostal denomination and was planted out in Eldoret to start a new church. Because of political divisions within the movement he and his church lost their building but continued to meet in the open air.
Around 400 people until recently made up the congregation but because of the violence after the elections many of them have had to flee for their lives. The church was also ransacked along with Pastor Karanja's home. Despite this Joseph's ministry continues unabated and he has also managed to plant out a few other churches in the last few years in Kenya.
Despite setbacks which would have seen some give up in despair, the church continues and reaches out to the people of Eldoret seeing people come to salvation and others miraculously healed. The gospel fire church really is a story of triumph over adversity.
{The picture is of the lake on the outskirts of Eldoret}
Around 400 people until recently made up the congregation but because of the violence after the elections many of them have had to flee for their lives. The church was also ransacked along with Pastor Karanja's home. Despite this Joseph's ministry continues unabated and he has also managed to plant out a few other churches in the last few years in Kenya.
Despite setbacks which would have seen some give up in despair, the church continues and reaches out to the people of Eldoret seeing people come to salvation and others miraculously healed. The gospel fire church really is a story of triumph over adversity.
{The picture is of the lake on the outskirts of Eldoret}
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