God’s Synergy in Kenya
Synergy – the extra energy or effectiveness that people or businesses create when they combine their efforts (Macmillan online Dictionary). Synergy was a “buzzword” used (possibly overused) in the business world in recent years to describe the phenomenon of people or organizations working together to produce more collectively than each individual could possibly accomplish alone. At the point of being cliché I would like to use the word “synergy” to describe the work being accomplished in the Kingdom in Kenya.
We may want to start with the men who were trained at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching in Arusha, Tanzania who are currently doing a mighty work in Kenya. Now consider the more than ten graduates of ACSOP who are currently teaching at the Kenya School of Preaching in Kisumu, Kenya. KSOP is currently in her third class (with nineteen current students) having graduated thirty-two in the previous classes. Nearly all of the graduates and current students are preaching and involved in evangelism.
Now Christians for Kenya enters the picture. Christians for Kenya trains men to preach and teach the Gospel who cannot enroll full time at the Kenya School of Preaching. The men meet five days a month for two years to learn how to better minister in Word and deed. Christians for Kenya, in addition to equipping God’s people for works of ministry (Eph. 2:12) has provided several quality students at the Kenya School of Preaching.
On a much more elementary level the Ahono Tumaini School (a pre-school through class seven Christian School in Ahono, Kenya) is preparing several young men to enter either Christians for Kenya or KSOP in the future.
Let me give you an example of synergy at work in Kenya. In 2012 I spoke at a one-day Bible seminar at Nyamasare (close to Ugunja). Brandon Kerns, founder of Christians for Kenya, and his mother, Linda also spoke at this seminar: Brandon to the men, Linda to the women. While I was speaking, Joseph was walking by. He stopped to listen, liked what he heard, inquired further, studied, was baptized and soon enrolled in Christians for Kenya. Upon graduation from Christians for Kenya, Joseph enrolled in the Kenya School of Preaching where he graduated in the second class in August 2016. Recently, in the market place, Joseph met a man named Moses. They talked, a Bible study followed, Moses was converted and is now enrolled in Christians for Kenya. Both Moses and Joseph attended a one day Bible seminar I conducted at the Rambula Church of Christ September 15, 2017. Both Moses and Joseph are actively teaching and preaching God’s Word.
God is actively using Christians for Kenya, the Kenya School of Preaching, the Ahono Tumaini School and many churches in the area to create a “synergy” that can only come from His mighty hand. Truly God is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” and “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
The current class at KSOP has entered their second year of study. I first taught these men in February. I was able to teach this class again September 18-22. Their writing skills and study habits have drastically improved. Charles Ogutu, KSOP director and Elias Omollo, deanare to be commended in the excellent instruction they are providing the students at KSOP.
Mike Reese, Coordinator KSOP