Beloved of God,
Greetings, and receive message of thanks and excitements from the Kenya School of Preaching family in Kisumu.
The training of 20 preachers that began two years ago in tiny place called Hellena court which some of you know finally came to an end colorfully in a new campus. Out of the 20 students that were selected, 16 graduated in a colorful event, in a new and more spacious campus that was graced by Dr. Denny Petrillo the president of BVBI as our key note speaker. The entire KSOP team besides being humbled by the tremendous growth is also very thankful and proud of all the brethren that believe and support the training of preachers.
We have high expectations from these men that they will be fruitful because prior to their graduation, they took part in the following:
Sermons preached - 361
Classes taught – 422
Baptisms – 220
Souls restored – 124
Churches restored to true worship – 13
New Churches planted – 11
Join us in prayers that they will keep the fire burning and have the resources to keep on preaching the gospel of Christ.
During the graduation, we had a special session of dedicating the KSOP library in honor of “CY” Claude Welton Stafford III. I have much more to say on Cy on a personal level but all who know him will acknowledge that Cy’s magnitude of work in the Kingdom will only be known in heaven. His legacy will continue to thrive in the many many souls that he influenced. Thanks Dr. Mike Reese and Dr. Denny, Mike Rowand and Peter Ray for leading the program.
For the first time, KSOP also had two men, Charles Ogutu and Bwambale Raymond from Uganda who graduated with Masters in Biblical Studies from BVBI.
After every graduation, we have to again select other men who have the desire to be preachers to join our two years training program. This year we had the highest number of applicants who had interest in being trained. We had 67 applicants and 33 were serious men, we also had requests from South Sudan but the verbal request came late.
All the 20 students that we selected have reported to the school and classes have begun. We have another group of great men with much zeal to study the word. God has been so good to us, we pray we won’t lose any of them through the tough journey ahead. Charles is teaching Homiletics, Acts, New Testament Church and English I. While Elias Omolo is teaching Genesis, Synoptic gospel and Personal Evangelism, not easy but we enjoy doing what we love.
Am sorry for not keeping it short. Mike Reese, I have to share this. I received a phone call from Joseph Musando former KSOP graduate giving thanks for the new bicycle. “Teacher Charles, please thank brother Reese for the new bicycle that enabled me to go preach in Kibuye and 8 souls obeyed the gospel” that was on Oct 7.
Blessings to you all brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
His servant and yours
Charles Ogutu – Director KSOP.