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“ Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 3:13
It was a rare moment in the history of the Nairobi, Kenya church when seven couples were ordained as deacons earlier this year at the newly dedicated church building. God’s glory was manifested in a great way as the power of Christ was alive. The faithful attested their joy as they belted out sweet melodious tunes that permeated the air.
The deacons were appointed as follows:
- Deacons of Teaching: Jarrett and Nancy Odwallo
- Deacons of Teaching: Nicacius and Lucy Kimani
- Deacons of Teens: Stanley and Carol Ochieng’
- Deacons of Chemical Recovery: George and Judy Ouko
- Deacons of Service: Jeremiah and Benta Oginga
- Deacons of Service: Morrison and Pamela Owade
- Deacons of Finance: Jimmy and Monica Kinyanjui
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Evangelist George Irungu ordained the deacons He noted that in Mark 9:33-35, “Jesus says that if you want to be the greatest you have to do it in God’s way, being a servant of all. The church is inspired because these new deacons you are seeing before you are setting the pace for us in this area.”
Carol Mukenya shared from Ephesians 3:15. She could not hide the joy and the gratitude that the church and God had for them. “You have been such a great joy to us. You have supported us in a great way and we love you very much.”
In his sermon, Evangelist Steve Mukenya stated that 2011 will be determined by what we are hungry for. Preaching from Matthew 5:6-7, he urged the congregation to remain hungry and thirsty for the word of God.
Julius and Margaret Nguku shared the Holy Communion message powerfully. They narrated how against all hope God came to them in an amazing way by blessing them with three children when science had ruled that they would not conceive because of their separate medical complications. Julius reminded the congregation that at the cross Jesus was pressured by the conflict between the flesh and the faith, and faith won on that day.
The new deacon couples express their gratitude and their resolve to continuing growing as servants.
Deacons of Service
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Jeremiah and Benta, left, feel humbled and exalted. They share, “Becoming a deacon couple means a lot to us. It is a high calling to our spirituality and calls us to another level in the act of service in God’s church.”
Married in 1988, Jeremiah and Benta were baptized 10 years later, and have three daughters: Nancy, 22, Winnie, 20, and Linda, 10years.
They thank the whole church for their prayers. With these words they encourage those who are serving in different capacities to make the work of the church leadership a joy: “When we support them it makes it easier for them to serve and lead us well.”
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Morrison and Pam, left, aptized in 1993 and 2000 respectively, met after Morrison moved from the church in Eldoret (city in Western Kenya) to work in administration in the Nairobi congregation. They were married in 2003 and have two children: Teddy, 5, and Timothy, almost 3.
When they heard that they were being nominated for the deaconship, Morrison and Pam say, “We were really shocked, because we know there are many disciples who have been doing, and continue to do, an extremely great job in the Kingdom”.
Morrison and Pam have tirelessly and selflessly shepherded their ministry. This has won many over and has greatly strengthened the fabric, foundation and family of their ministry.
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Deacons of Teaching
Baptized in1993 and married in 1998, Nicasius and Lucy, right, are the parents of Comfort, 9, and Praise, 5 ½. They share, “What has inspired us to serve in the area of teaching is the understanding that ‘people perish for lack of knowledge’”.
Nicasius and Lucy add, “We appreciate the opportunity that the church leadership has given to several non-staff disciples to teach the main congregation. This way, some of us have managed to grow in this area.”
Jarrett and Nancy express being inspired by having identified a particular need in the church..jpg)
“There is great need for all us to grow in the knowledge of God. Like Jesus said in John 17:3, knowing God is eternal life. We have over the years relied too heavily on others doing the hard work [of teaching], and have gratefully reaped the benefits of their labor. It is time now that we too in Africa contribute in some little way to encouraging all disciples everywhere.”
Jarrett and Nancy, right, were baptized as singles, married in the church in 2004, and have two daughters, Wema, 5, and Zuri, 3 ½.
Jarrett and Nicasius are architects and former classmates. Now, by the plan of God, they are not just designing buildings for men’s homes but are delivering messages for men’s hearts, as they expound on God’s blueprint for his people.
Deacons of Finance
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Jimmy and Monica, left, are parents to Kinyanjui, 19, Wangari, 13, and Valerie Wanjiku, 3. Jimmy shares, “My background is Finance and I believe God wants me to use this talent. I enjoy helping others and have a strong desire to share all that I know. Monica has always supported me and she has been able to take care of other matters (including domestic finances) so that I can take care of work in the church and HOPE.”
Financial highlights in the church that encourage Jimmy and Monica, married in 1991and baptized in 1999, in the period since they became disciples, are the fivefold increase in monthly contribution; growth in disciples’ assets, from about 10 cars at church to full parking lots on Sundays; and more and more disciples owning their own land and houses. “We believe,” say Jimmy and Monica, “that individual financial growth will eventually translate into financial independence for the church.”
The Nairobi church owning its own property has been a major financial victory for the congregation.
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Deacons of Teens
Stanley and Carol met in church and were married in 2005 (right). They are parents to Nathan, 3 years, and Hailey, 9 months.
Baptized as a college student, Stanley has long had a passion for the needs of the church’s youth. He and Carol share, “We love seeing young people following God, coming to church and getting baptized, then remaining faithful. It gives great fulfillment to see the fruits of our work, like disciples who were teens now grown and doing communion messages to the church.”
Deacons of Chemical Recovery
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George and Judy, married in 1995, were one of the first couples joined in the Nairobi church and have three sons: Abraham, Bradley and Chaseny. They have brought their professional expertise in counseling to bear in guiding Nairobi’s Chemical Recovery Ministry.
George and Judy have given themselves wholeheartedly to working patiently and tirelessly with disciples to help bring relief to church members, their families and their friends. The safe, supportive, Scripture-based environment that George and Judy have helped to provide is transforming many lives.
The new deacons are beaming beacons. They are sparkling servants to the Nairobi saints, who are striving to be lights on a hill that shine like stars to the glory of God.
For more news from the East Africa congregations, click here: icocea.org.
Julius and Margaret Nguku shared the Holy Communion message powerfully. They narrated how against all hope God came to them in an amazing way by blessing them with three children when science had ruled that they would not conceive because of their separate medical complications. Julius reminded the congregation that at the cross Jesus was pressured by the conflict between the flesh and the faith, and faith won on that day.
The new deacon couples express their gratitude and their resolve to continuing growing as servants.
Deacons of Service
Jeremiah and Benta, left, feel humbled and exalted. They share, “Becoming a deacon couple means a lot to us. It is a high calling to our spirituality and calls us to another level in the act of service in God’s church.” Married in 1988, Jeremiah and Benta were baptized 10 years later, and have three daughters: Nancy, 22, Winnie, 20, and Linda, 10years.
They thank the whole church for their prayers. With these words they encourage those who are serving in different capacities to make the work of the church leadership a joy: “When we support them it makes it easier for them to serve and lead us well.”
Morrison and Pam, left, aptized in 1993 and 2000 respectively, met after Morrison moved from the church in Eldoret (city in Western Kenya) to work in administration in the Nairobi congregation. They were married in 2003 and have two children: Teddy, 5, and Timothy, almost 3. When they heard that they were being nominated for the deaconship, Morrison and Pam say, “We were really shocked, because we know there are many disciples who have been doing, and continue to do, an extremely great job in the Kingdom”.
Morrison and Pam have tirelessly and selflessly shepherded their ministry. This has won many over and has greatly strengthened the fabric, foundation and family of their ministry.
Deacons of Teaching Baptized in1993 and married in 1998, Nicasius and Lucy, right, are the parents of Comfort, 9, and Praise, 5 ½. They share, “What has inspired us to serve in the area of teaching is the understanding that ‘people perish for lack of knowledge’”.
Nicasius and Lucy add, “We appreciate the opportunity that the church leadership has given to several non-staff disciples to teach the main congregation. This way, some of us have managed to grow in this area.”
Jarrett and Nancy express being inspired by having identified a particular need in the church.
“There is great need for all us to grow in the knowledge of God. Like Jesus said in John 17:3, knowing God is eternal life. We have over the years relied too heavily on others doing the hard work [of teaching], and have gratefully reaped the benefits of their labor. It is time now that we too in Africa contribute in some little way to encouraging all disciples everywhere.”Jarrett and Nancy, right, were baptized as singles, married in the church in 2004, and have two daughters, Wema, 5, and Zuri, 3 ½.
Jarrett and Nicasius are architects and former classmates. Now, by the plan of God, they are not just designing buildings for men’s homes but are delivering messages for men’s hearts, as they expound on God’s blueprint for his people.
Deacons of Finance
Jimmy and Monica, left, are parents to Kinyanjui, 19, Wangari, 13, and Valerie Wanjiku, 3. Jimmy shares, “My background is Finance and I believe God wants me to use this talent. I enjoy helping others and have a strong desire to share all that I know. Monica has always supported me and she has been able to take care of other matters (including domestic finances) so that I can take care of work in the church and HOPE.”Financial highlights in the church that encourage Jimmy and Monica, married in 1991and baptized in 1999, in the period since they became disciples, are the fivefold increase in monthly contribution; growth in disciples’ assets, from about 10 cars at church to full parking lots on Sundays; and more and more disciples owning their own land and houses. “We believe,” say Jimmy and Monica, “that individual financial growth will eventually translate into financial independence for the church.”
The Nairobi church owning its own property has been a major financial victory for the congregation.
Deacons of Teens Stanley and Carol met in church and were married in 2005 (right). They are parents to Nathan, 3 years, and Hailey, 9 months.
Baptized as a college student, Stanley has long had a passion for the needs of the church’s youth. He and Carol share, “We love seeing young people following God, coming to church and getting baptized, then remaining faithful. It gives great fulfillment to see the fruits of our work, like disciples who were teens now grown and doing communion messages to the church.”
Deacons of Chemical Recovery
George and Judy, married in 1995, were one of the first couples joined in the Nairobi church and have three sons: Abraham, Bradley and Chaseny. They have brought their professional expertise in counseling to bear in guiding Nairobi’s Chemical Recovery Ministry.
George and Judy have given themselves wholeheartedly to working patiently and tirelessly with disciples to help bring relief to church members, their families and their friends. The safe, supportive, Scripture-based environment that George and Judy have helped to provide is transforming many lives.
The new deacons are beaming beacons. They are sparkling servants to the Nairobi saints, who are striving to be lights on a hill that shine like stars to the glory of God.
For more news from the East Africa congregations, click here: icocea.org.