April Ministry Report

Central Conference Pastor’s Conference
Shortly after returning to Kenya we attended the pastor’s conference for those in the Central Conference of Kenya held in Nairobi at Calvary Worship Centre. With around 100 in attendance, this is the largest yearly pastor’s conference for the IPHC in Kenya. Kevin spoke on Friday morning, April 15. He encouraged the pastors and leaders set aside any mindset that could creep into their life and then hinder their ministries, particularly bitterness, apathy, and faithfulness to culture above Christ. The special speaker for the conference was Rev. Hugh Hoyle who trained the pastors to use the evangelism technique called “each one, reach one, each year.” Other missionary speakers included Ron and Sharon Wooten and Philip List.

Ministry in Nakuru
We were joined in April by Rev. Ben Coleman and his daughter Laura for nearly two weeks of ministry in Nakuru, Kenya. The IPHC in Nakuru is led by Revs. Laban and Gladys Wekesa. Together, they are overseeing a church, a children’s home serving nearly 180 children, and a full school with over 200 students. When Laura visited in 2007 with a team from Emmanuel College she felt a strong connection to the Children’s Home (named Christian Ministries to the Destitute). She went back to America with a burden to assist with the ministry in Nakuru. In 2009 she began raising funds for improvements to the home. After a personal invitation from Rev. Wekesa, she decided to make a personal visit with her father (Pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church near Hartwell, GA). We had the pleasure of assisting them with their work in Nakuru and we were also blessed by their passion for ministry and generosity. We spend five full days ministering to the children through special services, games, and one-on-one interaction. Laura and Ben prepared dramas, special music, and games for the kids. They also brought along bunches of candy and sports equipment. In addition, they took time to serve the home by painting the kitchen which has been made black by years of smoke from the wood burning cookers. In total, they raised over $8,000 for the ministry which was used as follows:
1- 1 new computer for the ministry purchased
2- 8 triple-decker bunkbeds purchased
3- 12 triple-decker bunkbeds repaired
4- 50 new mattresses purchased
5- 50 new sheets purchased
6- 23 new desks purchased
7- Funded floor repair in 10 classrooms
8- Repaired the chimneys in the kitchen
9- Funded the painting of the kitchen and entire boy’s dorm
10- Provided money for medical care for the children
We are forever grateful for the Coleman family and all those who gave towards these projects. The home is still rejoicing over these blessings. Thank you, Ben and Laura for your visit, your service, and your commitment to Nakuru.

Easter Services
Easter was a busy time for us in Kenya. The Chavakali district of church planned a special weekend conference on Good Friday and Saturday and invited us to speak. We traveled out to Grace Church IPHC where around 40 people gathered for the two days of teaching. Rev. Ben Coleman joined Kevin in giving the pastors and leaders encouraging messages and teaching concerning the significance of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Laura Coleman and Summer also participated in the Good Friday service. Laura gave a touching testimony and words of encouragement. Summer led in special music in both English and Swahili. The district conference concluded on Saturday with Kevin teaching on the significance and practice of communion. Then everyone present participated in a communion service. The attendees left encouraged, inspired, and ready to lead their congregations into the Easter Celebration the next morning.

On Easter Sunday we traveled with Ben Coleman and Laura Coleman back to Nakuru to conduct the Easter Sunday service there. Summer Sneed and Laura Coleman both led in music. Laura wrote a special song about redemption just for the children in Nakuru. She shared it along with a testimony encouraging the children to find their value in Christ, and not in the standards of the world. Rev. Coleman preached an Easter message with added emphasis on Peter. Several in the congregation came up for special prayer after the message. Christ’s resurrection was proclaimed in Nakuru, Kenya and thanks to the IPHC children’s home there, many are experiencing a new life both spiritually and physically.

Welcome
We wish to welcome a new missionary couple to Kenya. Michael and Leslie Tignor joined the IPHC missionary family in Kenya on April 7 with their arrival into Nairobi. Even though the Tignors will be based in Nairobi, they have already been traveling the country involved in ministry. They joined us in Nakuru for two days of ministry there and recently helped us in Eldoret (you can read about this in next month’s newsletter.) We are grateful for Michael and Leslie and thank God for providing for them.

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