AN UPDATE ON OUR MISSION: BIBLES FOR KENYA

Dear BFK Supporters,

If you go onto this site and look for a place to order Bibles for Kenya, we're letting you know that this is still a work in progress. I am getting requests for how to purchase such bibles, but we are working and partnering with "Biblica Kenya" and they are updating their own website. They are excited about this enterprise and are working on creating a widget for us so that you can order bibles for the brothers to pick up in Kenya, so please be patient with us. In the meantime, we covet your support with your prayers for this move of God in Kenya as we continue to post so many of these amazing stories of what our Lord Jesus Christ is doing in this beautiful land. We also ask that you sign up as "followers" or by email so you won't miss anything and will also be updated as to our progress. And please feel free to offer your comments, be it prayer, praise, observations or questions, to the postings. In this way, you will enrich our website tremendously. 

Thank you so much,


Clark  

THE BEGINNING: ONE OF THE FIRST SIMPLE CHURCH MEETINGS IN KENYA

THE FIRE HAS BEGUN IN KENYA! 

This is one of Jimmy's first reports of their first meeting, Early-Church Style, in Kenya that was written August 13, 2009. I remember this first report and how I thrilled with the news! Little did I know how fast this fire would spread. One brother referred to these believers and their new-found joy in meeting simply around the Lord Jesus Christ alone as "Foxes on Fire!" I love that! I picture these foxes with their tails on fire spreading the news of Jesus Christ throughout Kenya and Africa, and to our own shores here in America.   Since this initial report, Jimmy has planted 23 such "fired-up" fellowships and there is a team of like-minded, like-passioned fellow workers who are also planting such fellowships; and these beloved workers, these "foxes on fire," do need Bibles. The picture above is not of that meeting but of a more current one, but I thought it a good fit.  Here's Jimmy's report of that first meeting: 

 

The fire has begun in Kenya.

(Note: This is exactly what happened. We were given a lead on a brother by the name of Roger Thoman, a simple-church planter and trainer, who often went to Kenya. We contacted Roger and he met with the brothers in Kenya.  Roger's website is listed on our favorite websites as "Apple Seed Ministry.")    

Once again I want to sincerely thank you for standing with us in prayer last week when I requested for the same. I had no idea how our first Simple Church experience would be like. I’m so humbled as I report that your prayer for us was answered. Twenty people had agreed to attend; thirty six came! My living room was filled to capacity, with some standing by the door. I had asked the Holy Spirit to lead and He was so faithful. I bear witness to His almost tangible presence that nostalgic evening. Those two hours! Most of the people present were, like me, born and raised in church, while others gave their lives to Christ in high school or college. Sometimes back they stopped fellowshipping at their respective ‘churches’ because they found not what they were looking for. It’s worse when one is working or in business and gets regular income! Some backslid as others remained in their homes, wounded and confused.

I had asked favor from the Holy Spirit to help me not speak against the established church or going personal on any issue in this very important meeting. The Spirit led us! When we sang “Amazing Grace”, (which to me now is an anthem for sinners) everybody just stood and then knelt. We all wept so bitterly without anyone’s influence but the Holy Ghost Himself. He convicted us without any man’s or woman’s hand. This went on for over 45 minutes. We then held each other’s hands and just prayed for one another! It was so enriching. My goodness, this is what we had been looking for, some of us for so many years! There wasn’t any interruption. After this, Madam Priscah (a colleague) stood and read this scripture-2Cor 11:20-21 “In fact you put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that.”

This part of scripture came with so much force; the voice so clear, that the Lord had started a movement in this house, that will lead to a Revolution in the body of Christ in Kenya and Africa. We parted ways so lifted up, refreshed and enlightened.

Since schools had closed for the August holidays, I traveled to Kitui via Nairobi on Monday (the following day), on my way to visit my wife, Roseline, who is an accountant and works in the Eastern Province. Tuesday night we had a gathering in Nairobi city. I had phoned informing some friends about the simple church and my intention that we meet at one of my friends’ house. Twenty four people attended, among them two pastors. Unlike the meeting at my house, this had some challenges that I know the Spirit wanted me to be aware of. It almost became a bickering contest and I found myself engulfed in this morass. This group will be meeting Friday nights at a restaurant. I’m worried because I see narrow agenda within the group. This is why I think we need to training. We need to know how to handle simple church, being religious and artistic we are. We’re people that take things to the extreme; wrong things or right things. If the beginning/foundation be right, the right extremes will resound in every corner of this globe. As I prepare to host another meeting tomorrow down here in Kitui town, I’m praying for partnership with other parts of the world- brothers and sisters with experience in the simple church. I want them to come forth and help us.

I read about two young people staying with Jon Dale in the US, to learn and bring us what they’ve got. That’s great. It sounds wonderful coming to the West for training. People in Africa would love that! But I feel it would be more thoughtful if the West came to Africa and met us and talked to us in our homes, villages and cities. The impact would be more profound, am sure! These pioneers would go into annuls of history as people who wrought a new beginning in the body of Christ in Africa. This is what the Lord has put on my mind, and I know it’s the right path.

Jim.

BROTHER JIMMY'S THIRD REPORT: SALVATION ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

Respected man gives his life to the Lord on the road

Dear God’s people, When the love of God engulfs our souls, we are able to share with anyone, anywhere. In this photo, church planters meet on the road Mr. Sanga Maulidi, a police officer of corporal level. He’s rushing somewhere but he stops for a few minutes. After hearing about the home church, the Holy Spirit convicts him and he gives his life to Christ there besides the road. He did not care who was looking at him and his rank in the police force. He said he had refused going to the institutional churches following abuses and lack of love that go on there. He said house to house church was the right way of fellowship. He will be baptised next week.     Reporting,   Brother Jimmy Ndruruchi.

BROTHER JIMMY'S SECOND REPORT: HOW GREAT AND WONDERFUL IS OUR LORD IN PEPARING THEIR VISIT TO THIS REGION IN ADVANCE, THROUGH PRAYER!

Prophesy from a prophetess: 20 years of prayer now answered! 

 

 

 

Dear God's people, The Spirit of the Lord did not limit this visit to us. He spoke to a woman in Eldoret, a prophetess known as Ann Wangoi. She lives in Eldoret (300 kilometres from Nairobi towards the western end as one goes to Uganda). We set off from Nairobi to the Mount Kenya region as she set off from Eldoret. We met at the exact time the Spirit had revealed to her that we would meet. That was so amazingly accurate. Her words came with fire; they caused a burning in our hearts. I could see women crying as they listened to her speak, not loudly, but gently and powerfully. She said that she has been praying for this time for 20 years and it has finally come to pass. About three weeks ago, a brother from the UK, Andy Swatton, was given a word from Zephaniah 3. This sister echoed that word, a confirmation that indeed the Spirit had talked to Andy that morning. She prophesied about the work that was going on and the explosion that was taking place in Kenya. She prophesied that people would come from around the world to learn from Kenya; that God has chosen this country to bring to pass His purposes for the church. She reminded us to keep ourselves holy because the day of His coming is at hand. Oh what a privilege to hear God’s word from His chosen, anointed vessels!   Reporting, Brother Jim Nduruchi.

JIMMY'S FIRST REPORT OF THEIR CHURCH-PLANTING MISSION TO THE REGION OF MT. KENYA

LUKE10v17- AND THE SEVENTY RETURNED AGAIN WITH JOY, SAYING, LORD, EVEN THE DEVILS ARE SUBJECT UNTO US THROUGH THY NAME.

 

When we were leaving for the Mount Kenya region four days ago, I ran on this net and sent you email asking for your prayers. I want to sincerely thank you for the faithfulness to pray for us. I want to report and testify that all of your pleas were heard and immediately answered by our loving Lord.  Jesus once again proved that He is both Lord, Saviour and King. We witnessed His love and power. We saw captives set free in His name.

 

By His grace we planted 10 house churches in Othaya and Murang’a. We matched them in a home on afternoon Sunday for a mighty celebration of liberty, testimony time and networking. I have attached a picture of our convergence fellowship on this email. I have split my report into several items, with each episode being explained by pictures. Please enjoy the report and join us in thanking the God of heaven for making this possible. A revolution has indeed begun in Kenya, just as the Holy Spirit had prophesied.

 

Your fellow labourer,

Brother Jimmy Nduruchi

WHY "BIBLES FOR KENYA?" A WORD FROM OUR BROTHER JIMMY NDURUCHI

 

Islam is growing at an alarming rate in Kenya and the whole Africa. They are taking advantage of poverty here, and offering relief especially amongst the poorest of the poor in rural and slum areas. To ice their campaign, they are giving out free Korans in their thousands and people are taking them. Their lies are spreading fast. The disunity in the assembly of Christ is fuelling their machinations. The biggest boon in their hands is the ignorance in the Word of God that reigns in the minds of mostly Kenyan poor and African poor as a whole. They have the zeal for God but they don’t read the Bible because they simply cannot afford one. They will be seen at church taking notes, and nobody ever asks how they will get to study those things. The situation is pathetic.

 

Now, about the Islamic threat: should we keep quiet and “leave it up to God”?  Or should we become fundamentalists and chase them down killing them? Or should we lock our countries and streets and homes that they should not enter? In all of the above, the answer is NO! The only thing that we can do as members of the Assembly of Christ, lovers of the gospel that brings liberty, is to challenge their zeal by also getting Bibles to as many people as we can, especially the poorest of the poor.

 

Just over a month back, I was praying and found myself praying so earnestly for Bibles for God’s precious people. This came after a relatively educated woman wondered when I said Elisha’s dead and dry bones rose someone from the dead. She did not have a Bible. The moment I saw the wonderment on her face, I developed a yearning for Bibles for the people like her and prayed to God for this provision. When I finished praying, my brother and partner in the gospel, Tom Henry Barasa, took up and prayed for long with many tears. About two weeks later, I posted a photo of one of our simple churches, and to my amazement, my friend Clark Wade from the Crescent City in California write back asking why the people were not having Bibles. I instantly knew the Holy Spirit was at work.

 

Your Brother,

Jimmy Nduruchi.

SIMPLE-CHURCH PLANTING TEAM HEADING TO MOUNT KENYA

 

 
OFF TO THE VINEYARD!

Brethren,

It has been a long journey before arriving where we are at now. In 30 minutes we’re off to Mount Kenya region for a three-day simple church planting mission. It’s the first time we’re using our answered prayer; our mission car. We’re so excited about what the LORD has promised to do. Please. Remember us in prayers. The field is indeed ready. The labourers are only few.

 

Off to the vineyard,

Brother Jim Nduruchi

TESTIMONY OF CHRISTINA ETTO: THE GIVING HEART OF CHRIST AND THE BIRTH OF ANOTHER SIMPLE CHURCH

 

 

Isaiah 60:2—For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

This scripture was quoted by an illiterate old widow known as Christina Etoo (I have attached her picture on this email). Christina is about 78 years old. In one photo is her three bedroomed house, good enough for a widow at her age. One counts themselves lucky in Africa to have this kind of a house. But Christina chose to donate this house to small children (mostly HIV/AIDS orphans) to be used as a learning centre and build herself a little house (in the picture), where she now lives, filled with so much grace, prayer and love for the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Meeting this woman only reminds you of great Shunamite woman and those early great women of faith from Galilee, who left everything and followed and ministered to Christ and did not give up ministering unto Him even after His death; had gone on a Sunday morning just to do it again, now to a dead, smelly body, when they met an angel, who preached the first Sunday morning sermon to them. These indeed were blessed women. One of their type is alive in Kenya today. Christina Etoo is her name.

 

Christina lost her husband 5 years ago. She had been in the Salvation Army church her whole life, where she had had no means to reach Christ due to all those commands and hierarchies. They were keener on the money she was expected that give than her soul, according to her testimony. She later moved to “Deliverance Church” where she was well received, but all they preached was “plant the seed”. She gave her two cows to a pastor, who sold them immediately and put the money on other use. It appears to have offended her because she wanted the milk from the cows to be used to feed children in an orphanage run by the ministry. One night the LORD clearly spoke to her in a vision that she should go back to her house because He was there waiting for at the door. The following Sunday at church, there erupted another scandal involving money. That night the LORD was more explicit, telling her that He was not in any of those churches around, but was at home, in her house, waiting for her. Christina finally obeyed and remained at home, fellowshipping alone with a few kids that would not go to church with their parents.

 

When she heard about the house church, a cool breeze swept through her soul. She felt a fulfilment for her vision. She embraced it whole heartedly and two families joined her. When I was there last weekend, they were now 17 members. They are filled with the fire for Christ and love for others. The pastors have been persecuting them, calling them names. But they are united in faith, beneath the cross of Calvary. The Holy Spirit is teaching them and leading them. I shall be going back there for leadership training.

 

These are the remnants. The LORD must have His way even in the wildest apparition. Heaven has not gone bankrupt. Our God still has people worshipping Him in Spirit and truth. 
 

Your Brother Jim.

JIMMY'S REPORT OF CHURCH PLANTERS' MEETING IN NAIROBI HELD 14TH MARCH 2011

 

 

TEN ORGANIC CHURCH PLANTERS--LIKE "FOXES ON FIRE!" 

(Note: This term, "foxes on fire" was how one brother captured the vision of church-meetings that were born out of community with each other and fellowship with a risen Lord--New Testament style. I think this is an apt description of this first meeting. Your brother for "Bibles for Kenya," Clark)    

Brethren,

 

Ten of us organic church planters from different places in Kenya, by the extravagant grace of God met at the Jifahamu Kenya Foundation secretariat on Ngong Road, Nairobi, on Monday the 14^th March 2011. These are the names of those who came:

 

1.     Henry Barasa- Nairobi

2.     Michael Wanyoike-Nairobi

3.     Isaac Mwangi-Nairobi.

4.     Zachery Mungai- Nairobi

5.     Jim Nduruchi-Nairobi

6.     Paul Njagi-Nyeri

7.     Dawson Mudenyo-Kitale

8.     Joseph Mwangi Marera-Nyeri

9.     Paul Thuku Njembui-Nyeri

10. Peter Wachira Kanyi-Nyeri

 

I must mention this and pay a personal tribute to Brother Paul Thuku Njembui, a 86 year young grandfather, who is moving in the liberty of the New Testament gospel of Christ. This is a great age in Africa, and I thank God for the steady mind that our brother has. I thank God for the wisdom that come through experience, and which he so generously shared with us. May God keep Him and increase him, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

We had many points that we shared as we fellowshipped together, but the highest resolution that we reached was to go out and plant churches. We concluded that each month as we meet, we would each bring a report about what the Lord has done within the 30 days. Each one of us agreed to help plant at least one home church fellowship in a month. At group level, we agreed to support those who have been called into distant lands with prayers and our resources.

 

We tried to define a movement so that we can understand what entails the “Organic Church Movement” that we all profess to flow with. We discovered, above other things, that a movement is selfless. It has no structures. It has no hierarchies. It is bound by convictions of the heart. Up to about 1700 years back, we had the Early Church Movement that was swallowed by the Roman civilisation. Then in the 16^th century, we had the Reformation Movement that was swallowed by Protestantism. In the early 20^th century we had the Pentecostal Movement that started on the Azusa Street in Los Angeles. It has been swallowed by Charismatism and the prosperity prospel. All these had their driving force. Now we stand here, with the Organic Church Movement; seeking to go back to the teachings and doings of Christ; to the organic body-life and multiplication that we see in the Acts of the Apostles. Like then, we still shall expect those that come with their stomachs to be filled, of whom Paul warned the church to beware of:

 

Acts 20v29-31: For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking pervasive things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears (KJV).

 

So, here we are, on this journey. Africa needs this liberty, perhaps more than any other people. The colonial mentality perpetuated by religious legalism, ignorance of the word of God, witchcraft and poverty and disease, among other maladies that pursue our soul and wrenches the spirit; all these things requires us to get out of our comfort zones, deny ourselves of everything that everybody is seeking after, and put our hands to the plough without looking back, for no man having put his hand on the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God (Mark9v62).

 

Prayer: Father God, our true friend. The God of Africa and the whole world and the universe. I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, that You will come down in Your might and power, and quicken these weak vessels that are seeking to flow in the anointing of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Oh true Father, have mercy upon Africa, Your last born, who is like Benjamin; son of the right hand. Africa the most religious. Africa the most ‘churched’. Please Father, give Africa an opportunity to capture the revelation of Your Son Jesus Christ in its purity, simplicity, unity and multiplicity. Let the fire that You have caused in the political front in the Northern Africa and the Middle East; let that fire consume and engulf Africa in the spiritual front, from Cairo to Cape Town. Energize these ten men and synergise them as they partner with the Holy Spirit. Snatch them of all the religiosity and defiled knowledge that they have received from the minds of men. Let Your pure word permeate their hearts. And let it fall on the corrupt and dry ground, and cause the desert to blossom as a rose. I am looking up to you for everything. I know the world will learn from Africa. For Africa protected the Son from the wicked hands of a wicked king; and Africa carried the cross with the condemned Saviour towards the little hill of shame. Thank You for what You have started. I know you will bring it to fruition. In Jesus’ wonderful name. Amen. 

 

In His Vineyard,

Brother Jim Nduruchi.

(In the response to the above letter from Jimmy, I then asked him how they conducted their business meetings. I was also curious about the brother I saw always reading the scriptures in the meeting. This was Jimmy's response.)

 

 

 

   

 

Brother,

 

You ask about the “Bible brother” in the photos. His name is Isaac Mwangi, the chief sub-editor at the Nation Media group in Nairobi. Do you remember a brother who wrote articles about tithing, and I sent you and Jack, and you felt that the movement has it’s epicentre in Kenya? That is the brother, Isaac Mwangi! I think he has corresponded with Jack several time, and I gave him The Corinthian Elders, which he likes quoting so much. Brother Roger Thoman has been to his house and fellowshipped with the saints there. Isaac reads a lot and in this meeting he was reasoning in the scriptures about polygamy. We were discussing about how we should handle the issue of polygamy in Africa as we go out. Brother Tom did not see any problem with that, noting that monogamy is not as Biblical as it is part of Western Culture. Isaac firmly held a defence against monogamy, quoting Genesis 1, where God gives Adam one wife.

 

You have asked about how we conduct our meetings: I should note that this meeting of 10 was a high profile meeting of church planters. Here is where we bring questions and issues that we have been encountering in our work in the church planting business. There are good books on church planting but not written by Africans, therefore the principles therein sometimes are irrelevant to our African situation. Therefore, we ventilate these issues that are uniquely African in such meetings. We really don’t have a chairman for the meeting and our narrowness in discourse helps us to keep on course. We are so sensitive to any intrusions. For instance in this 14^th March meeting, I got it rough when I intruded the flow and asked to go out and buy drinks for the brethren. I was rebuked by Brother Paul Njagi for being in the “stomach” as people were busy in the spirit. I had to apologise and get back to my seat.

 

In the meeting we had two former pastors, who had moved into the organic church planting after a burn-out. Among the 10, only one brother, known as Dawson has been in a Seminary. The rest are virgin and raw.

 

Your Brother Jim.

REJECTED BY THE IC; ACCEPTED BY THE LORD JUST AS SHE WAS

When Sister Violet Kageha told her pastor that she’s HIV+, he told his close friends about it and they started gossip. As if this is not enough, he did a sermon the following Sunday about those that break commandments and the damnation that is in store for them. He categorically referred to those who are HIV+, adding that they are a ‘shame to the Lord and to His church’.  She felt rejected and wanted to commit suicide. One day she met Sister Mercy Wanjiru, an organic church follower of Christ, who showered the love of God to her. She directed her to me, and when we first met, alas! She was in bad shape. She stank like a skunk; I think she had not showered for four days. But the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ did a marvellous work and a wonder in her.  She finally came and found a home in the Kangemi fellowship. Today in this photo she is giving a testimony from her heart about her increased CD count, improved business, more peace in her life and above all, a strengthened testimony in the Love of God through His son Jesus Christ. Please, let us praise the Lord for this sister. Amen.