Kenya Updates – October 2023

MEN CONFRENCES AND OUTREACHES AMONG THE MAASAI COMMUNITIES IN MATAPATO KENYA.

“I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.” (1 Timothy 2:8)

This has not been so among the Maasai community because the higher percentage of men are not Believers therefore, they do not attend church services. In the months of August and September, we had men outreaches that brought together more than seven hundred men at each conference. Men were trained on many aspects of their daily lives in accordance with the scriptures, from their relationship to God, to that of their spouses and children. Raw yet real discussions took place and it became obvious that men really need such trainings in the future where they are vulnerable enough to seek scriptural wisdom and counsel. Four hundred and twelve men gave their live to Christ and all glory is to God, who desires that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth. We are so appreciative to U4A and partners for the continuous participation in mobilization and impartation of Truth, bringing abundant life in Christ Jesus among the Maasai people.

Fig 1,2&3: Men following the teachings, those who gave their lives to Christ lifting their hands and men participating in a questions and answers session.

Fig 4,5&6: The Church building was full of thirsty souls, in agreement with message being shared and elders appreciating Dr. Okongo, U4A president who was the main facilitator of the impactful outreaches.

Written by Pastor Titus Musenya, U4A Director

COUPLES TRAINING AND SEMINAR IN NGARRE NAIBBORR AND NAMANGA, KENYA

Marriage is a life commitment to one’s spouse. Its sad that in some communities it is viewed differently. The reason I say this is because in some communities, if a woman is barren or gives birth to children to only girls, then the husband may opt to marrying another wife.

We are thankful to the U4A ministry partners for making it possible for us to host a three-day seminar and a two-day retreat at Namanga River Restaurant where in both we had thirteen couples attending. It was a time where these eager couples were willing to be equipped, mentored and coached on marriage in a biblical perspective. We believe new life was injected into these marriages and recommitments made to nurture the gifts of marriage and family.

Fig 1,2&3: Couples who attended the training and Dr. Okongo facilitating and teaching the couples.

Fig 4,5&6: Pastors and their wives in the marriage seminar hall and Dr. Okongo interacting with them.

Written by Pastor Titus Musenya U4A Director.

EWANG’AN BAPTIST CHURCH, A DISCIPLESHIP CENTER

Ewang’an Baptist church was planted twenty-nine years ago and is located at the southern side of Kenya in a highly populated area. The church has been a sender of disciples into the Matapato region and through this church we have managed to plant more than twenty churches in different communities. There are many leaders, men and women who attend the church who also have shown the willingness to learn and grow spiritually for the great work of ministry. In April 2024 we have planned a mega men’s conference to bring as many men within that locality that have never got an opportunity to hear the Gospel.

Fig 1,2&3: Ewang’an Church leaders’ meeting and Dr. Okongo speaking in the Church.

Fig 4,5&6: Key leaders and Rev. Joseph sharing the Church vision and their unfinished new church construction.

Written by Pastor Titus Musenya U4A director.

FAITHFUL BELIEVERS NEEDING URGENT PRAYER AND SUPPORT IN THE HORN OF AFRICA.

Faithfulness

As an Outreach Director and also traveling with Dr. Okongo to different areas, especially East and the horn of Africa, I really see the need of equipping leaders and especially pastors. The current situation in Sudan has really destabilized everything including ministry, and most of our Country and Regional leaders have been displaced together with their families and moved to different countries as refugees without anything. We are praying for the evacuation of the rest who are still stranded in Sudan, trusting God for their safety and that of their families too.

In our recent visit to Uganda where the evacuated families are currently based, thanks to U4A through its partners, we visited one of our leaders, Rev. Philemon and his family who shared with us their emotional story with tears and we all cried together, knowing what their tears meant.

Also, in the same month we were able to evacuate pastor Ibrahim and his family from Sudan. He is a father of seven and had been stranded at the border of Sudan and it was such a blessing to bring him with his family to Uganda. What is amazing is that despite all the hardships they have been through, their love and faithfulness to the Lord have remained steadfast. In fact, they have started a house church where they meet to worship and praise the Lord regardless of their situation.

 

Fig 1,2&3: Sudanese Pastors who are now refugees in Uganda with U4A leaders interacting, Praying, sharing and encouraging them to continue being faithful to the Lord.

Fig 4,5&6: Sudanese Worshiping in their house church and Pastor Philemon leading the service.

Written by Pastor Titus Musenya U4A director.

TV PROGRAM

“You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!“ (Mark 7:9)

Our weekly TV program has been transforming lives in an amazing way around Mt. Kenya region. There has been a progressive return to ancestral worship and animal sacrifice which has poised a challenge to both the churches and also the societies in this region in a very negative way.

However, the Holy Spirit has been helping us to proclaim the Truth through teaching and preaching that Christ’s sacrificial death was enough and paid it all for the forgiveness of our sins. Through this TV program, we are able to be a voice that reaches out to many people at once, as it was said of John the Baptist, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” (John 1:23)

Fig 1: Pastor Josephine, Pastor Maina and others in an interview at Weru TV studio.

Written by Rev. Robert Maina, U4A Mission Director.

THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER REQUESTS

1. We praise God for U4A partners for what they are doing for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
2. Give thanks for the effective outreaches and Men’s conferences that have taken place in the last quarter of the year and pray that our outreaches will be greatly productive as the year comes to an end.
3. Pray for Meto Interdenominational Conference and Ewangan Men Mega Outreach scheduled for April 2024.
4. Continue praying for the peace of Sudan and that God would strengthen, encourage, preserve and protect the Believers as they continue to be His witnesses.
5. Pray that the return to idolatry shall be completely vanquished in some regions in Kenya as the declaration of the Gospel by the help of the Holy Spirit brings about transformation of lives.
6. Continue praying for the new Believers to be established in Christ Jesus.