Haya, Twende!

The disciples stared into the skies as the Lord disappeared into the clouds above the Mount of Olives. Did he have to go just now? Two angels startled them back to reality. “He will come back,” they said. “In the same way you have seen him go up”. At the mention of his coming back, they recalled his assignment to them just before he left, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” They knew what they had to do, but none wanted to take the first step from that sacred place. Peter, always the first to spring into action, nudged them out of their reverie, “haya, twende!”

This group of disciples, all ordinary people without much education, property or claims to fame started walking towards Jerusalem and devoted themselves to prayer in an upper room. 40 days later on the day of Pentecost their numbers grew to 3000 people from different nationalities. In the community of those converted, they began to see and practice the reality of Jesus’ vision of a world ruled by God, where relating with God was as relating to a friend, where everyone found love, where each had food and shelter, where justice was practiced. The Spirit of God put swiftness to their feet, power to their words and miracles in hands. On and on they walked, passing the baton to those who received and believed their message.

2007 years later, their baton has passed on to us. Our Relocation is much like that first walk from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. They did not quite know how everything would work out, so they had to learn a lot as the community grew. They trusted God to lead them, praying for direction and obeying as the Lord led them day-by-day. And as the Lord led, it became clear that this vision was too large to be contained in Jerusalem. They continued walking to Judaea, to Samaria, Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, Colosse, Rome, to every part of the then known world.

With only three months to go, we stand on the verge of a great historical moment, whose impact we cannot fully grasp from our vantage point right now. The Lord has called us to plant 300 churches in Kenya. Think of each of those churches filled with people that love the Lord, that touch the communities where they live, that announce the presence of God to all the nations. The Lord will use us to bring a million people to himself. Picture that multitude of a million, worshiping and praising God with joy because their lives have been made whole. Think of the 100,000 FAITHful disciples, shakers and movers in the society, filling every office and every home with godly influence, and winning more to Christ. Think of God using us to find unique ways to do missions in Africa and the world, and changing the destiny of nations. If you can see those pictures, haya, twende!

We are calling you to do as the disciples did, to trust the Lord, to pray about our move, the Relocation, and to obey as the Lord puts certain convictions in your heart about giving and about finding other ways of getting involved in this relocation.
Haya, twende!

Pst. Faith Mugera

“haya twende” means let’s go!

Current preaching series – The Seven Claims of Christ

• I am the Bread of Life (Pst. Gowi Odera)
  
• I am the Light of the World (Pst. Janet Mutinda)
  
• I am the the Good Shepherd (Pst. David Githugu)
  
• I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (Rev. Steve Maina)
• I am the Gate (Pst. Janet Mutinda)
  
• I am the Resurrection and the Life (Pst. Charles Nganga)
  
• I am the True Vine (Pst. Janet Mutinda)
  

Pastoral Care. Do you know of a member who has been bereaved recently, is in hospital, or has gone through trauma? Please, please call our office on 6752346/0725650737 or call Rose Muiu on 0722317961 to let us know. We want to care for our members well, but have no other way of knowing unless someone informs us. Once we know we do a great job at responding and being at their side . . . but only if someone let's us know first. So  if you have the news, take it upon yourself to alert us immediately.

Do you need someone to pray with you before, during or after the service? Look out for one the people wearing a bright red sash. These are our prayer counselors, and they will pray and talk with you.

If there is any place in Kenya where the harvest is plentiful but workers are few, it is in our high schools. K-Krew reports that the youth are so thirsty for the gospel, and most are very receptive when it’s taken to them. The youth are seeking role models and mentors to guide them, to give them a vision for the future and to help them out of the many problems that are now part of our schools, including drug abuse and sexual promiscuity. Who will love them? Who will take care of them? Pray that the Lord of the harvest would raise laborers for this ripe harvest field, and pray that he would prepare you to be a part of the answer.

Every weekend, K-Krew interacts with hundreds of teens in high schools. Praise God for raising this group who have won the hearts of our young people. Pray for the two key leaders, DJ Moz and Njugush. The youth really look up to them. Pray that the Lord would guard their hearts and minds, that they will always be blameless before the Lord, that they will continue to be a good witness to the youth. Pray that the Lord would continually refresh them even as they minister every week.

Last weekend but one, the crew went to Dagoreti High School for their challenge weekend and over 40 teens got saved. Pastor Janet had joined them for that outreach. This last weekend K-Krew was at Moi Nairobi girls and St. Anne’s Lioki for a two day Weekend Challenge. Our Youth Pastor, Chogo was one of the preachers. 30 got saved and over 100 girls rededicated their lives to Christ in the course of the two days of ministry in that school. Pray for all those that they would grow in their faith, and will overcome the challenges that are in that school.

This weekend K-Krew will minister to students in Sunshine School on Saturday and Nembu Girls on Sunday morning. Next weekend they are in Kandara Childrens home and Egerton University and high schools around the university the weekend after that (on 22nd-24th June). Pray for the ministry team, and for the students in these schools that the Lord would greatly touch their lives.

Today is gift Sunday! We have a chance to give to the Lord over and above our tithes and offerings to fund our relocation. We praise God for the Kshs 5million he has enabled this congregation to raise up to date. Let us continue to give generously, so that we can raise the Kshs 25 million balance.

Relocation Countdown: 90 Days to go! Don't be left behind! Ask questions, or give your comments at the Relocation Tent, or at twende@nairobichapel.org

Relocation Connections: Do you know an Individual, an Organization, or a Company that would be interested in giving to our Relocation but you do not know how to tell them about us? Give us their contacts, on the email above and we will speak to them.

Monthly Relocation Prayer Day: Every 2nd Saturday of the month from 9-12am is the Relocation prayer day at the site. Please come this Saturday, 9th June. Let’s join hands in prayer about that land and about its development.

Safari Sevens is Here: Once a year, the Impala Club hosts a big international event - the Safari Sevens. The fields are filled out with tents, games start early, and cars spill out a long way in both directions. This year it falls on June 10th. We will hold our Sunday service on that day at 8 - 9:30 am.

Expressions service: Welcome to “Expressions”, our Youth Service, every Sunday from 8:30-10am.  Enjoy the loud, funky, music, cool Djs, your favorite guest gospel artists, a time of bonding and the word of God spoken with power and conviction. Don’t miss out. 

Become Part of K-krew. We featured them in the bulletin a couple of weeks ago. Now join K-Krew, the new face of missionaries to the youth, using music as a hook and giving hope by preaching the good news.  How can you help?

Sign up at the Info Desk, or call Njugush – 0722925582 or 0734261834, or DJ Moz – 0721 404261 or 0737930995.

Ushers Training and Team Building: Have you considered sharing your smile and handshake on Sunday morning with those who come to worship? There will be training and team building event on Saturday, June 23rd from 9am to 12 noon here at the Tent.  Sign up at the information table.

Ladies Ministry Launch: We welcome all women to the Launch of the Women’s Ministry on Saturday the 16th of June. This ministry will offer a place to pray for each other, to love and be loved, to learn the word of God, to be yourself and find support, even share the latest fashion secrets in town. To show your desire to be a part of this, please sign up at the Info Desk.

Sunday School Bible Competition: Children’s ministries in Nairobi Chapel, Mamlaka, Mavuno, Karura, Mashariki and Covenant churches have organized a Bible Olympics competition for 6-11 year olds, on 16th of June at Karura Chapel. Parents, please help your children with the memory verses they bring home.

Diabetes Walk: This year's Diabetes Walk will be held on Saturday, 7th July. It starts at 7:30am from the Carnivore Gardens. Participation fee is Ksh. 1,000. Registration will begin from Sunday, 3rd June 2007 at the Info Desk.

Internship: Would you like to explore if God is calling you into fulltime ministry?  Join the Nairobi Chapel internship program which will run from September 2007 to September 2008. Pick an application form at the Info Desk, or visit our website.

Do you live in any of the following areas and are not yet connected to an Ekklesia? Call the group leader and join a group.

If you have any questions regarding Ekklesia groups, please call 0722735705.