Dear Brethren,
We have resumed classes from July 3rd to August 25th, 2023. The teachers we have are 6 in number, three regular ones: (Charles, Nixon and Elias) and three American short course instructors (Rowand, Ray and Dr. Reese). These teach 7 courses: (1 Samuel -2 Chronicles, Church Planting, The Gospel of Luke, Ezra -Esther, Leadership, Marriage and the Gospel of John). Students are twenty in number.
This is K.S.O.P current students report for June holiday. We rejoice to inform the brethren of good news about 4 local congregations that have been restored by our current students during the holiday. In June 16-18 this year, six students namely Caleb, Nicholas, Dominic, Daniel, David and Emmanuel attended a gospel meeting in response to an invitation extended them by the host congregation in Kericho county. This meeting included 5 different churches that had turned unsound for many years more so because of lack of knowledgeable preachers and elders. The six were given a chance to teach and answer questions in the areas where these congregations had difficulties, which problems revolved around worship and leadership: hand clapping, use of instruments of music in praising God (drums specifically), solos and choirs and women teaching or preaching in the churches. The students out of love, taught and answered the questions given them in a very clear and understandable style that most of those who were present were convinced and challenged. Preachers and elders from four out of the five congregations that attended the meeting responded positively, confessed to have led many astray. To the student's surprise, one elderly man from the host church brought out two drums which he himself had introduced and used in the church. On that Sunday of June 18th, all hand clapping and drums were done away with and worship was done in spirit and in truth.
On July 6th, a group of eight older men, all the way from the 4 restored congregations in Kericho county, visited KSOP. They said that they have heard for the first, about Kenya School of Preaching from these current students. They came to see if surely such a school exists and the teachers. The delegates were grateful for the training that goes on here. They themselves declared to us how the six students had spoken graciously and convincingly to them in the meeting. They also requested that the school spare them a chance in next intake, for their 3 or 4 approved and recommended preachers from the restored churches.
They were thankful to have met the very students as well. They wondered at what makes the difference between KSOP and other preaching schools in Kenya. Charles and I took a picture with the eight as is shown in a photo of ten above.
Without doubt, if there is any community of people with many established congregations of the Lord in Kenya, it is the Kalenjin community (in the former Rift Valley Province). The problem is that there are some, not all, unsound churches. Our prayer and effort is for their restoration and these students have begun it even before they are through with their studies here. This encourages us greatly.
Other students in other communities also gave good reports from their work in 20 congregations where they served during the holiday. They baptized 11 people into Christ and restored 9 individual backsliders to church fellowship. Below are sample of pictures of baptisms by the students and that of the visiting brethren from the 4 restored congregations in Kericho county.
May all be blessed!
Your brother, Elias Omollo.
