The Bishop Elect Rev. Joseph Njuguna Warui
Bishop Climate Irungu Mwangi of Scotland and his wife
Bishop John Gichiri of Victory Revival Centres and his wife
Bishop Ann Njeri of Brookes of Life in West London
Church Latest News
MARCH 2006 - PART ONE
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Youngest Kenyan Bishop joins the club
Bishop elect Joseph Njuguna Warui from Kenya will be consecrated to the office of a Bishop of TAPAC on Saturday 4th March, 2006. He will be consecrated under the umbrella of Trans-Antlantic & Pacific Alliance of Churches (TAPAC). He will become the youngest ever Bishop of TAPAC Worldwide. He joins the list of the other three Kenyan Bishops in UK. The first to be consecrated was Bishop John Gichiri of Victory Revival Centres, UK on 4th December 2004, followed by Bishop Ann Njeri of Brookes of Life Ministries in West London, then came Bishop Climate Irungu of World Conquerors Christian Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland and now Bishop Joseph Njuguna Warui who is going to the Assistant General Secretary of TAPAC worldwide. Kenyan Churches are going to be represented by Bishop Arthur Kitonga and many more to representatives of the government. The ceremony will be held at United Reformed Methodist Church in East Dulwich SE22 near Kings College Hospital in East Dulwich or near East Dulwich British Rail Station. For more information contact us on 07939889508.
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The Bishop Elect Rev. Joseph Njuguna Warui |
Bishop Climate Irungu Mwangi of Scotland and his wife |
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Bishop John Gichiri of Victory Revival Centres and his wife |
Bishop Ann Njeri of Brookes of Life in West London |
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The late Paul Gathura memorial in Bristol, UK
It was a sad and emotional memorial service of the late Paul Gathura Gachau as family and friends gathered at St. Agnes Church, Bristol, UK on Tuesday 21st February, 2006. The service which took place at a church of England was conducted in Church of England (Anglican) style which was characterised by cold atmosphere in the church which made the preacher of the day Venerable John Njoroge to comment on situation. The 20th century church was also using 20th century laws and regulations where no one was allowed to take photos in the church. Ven. Njoroge explained at the service that whatever happens in our lives, God is always in control. He advised that people should always be ready to meet their maker as one of these days we are all going to face death. A nice poem for the late Gathura was presented by the Bristol team: "Gathura Athurite Ŭthuri (Uzee), Gathura Athurite Gŭtŭrania na andŭ, Gathura Athurite Kŭnyitanira na Ithui, Gathura Athurite gŭtŭrania na Ithui, Gathura Arathurite gŭtŭtongoria na Gathura niaratŭtongoririe." the poem explained. After the service, Kenyans in Bristol had arranged for refreshments elsewhere - where it turned up to be another service - but this time the Kenyan way. Food was served as well praise and worships to the satisfaction of the congregation. The Bristol team was very friendly and organised as one visitor from London comments were overheard. "Kenyans in Bristol are friendly and quite organised, I didn't expect all those, they are serious people.". The body of the late Gathura left London on Wednesday 22nd February 2006 for Kenya. Two people are escorting the body - the late Gathura's cousin, Gathura Machora and a close friend and classmate of the late Gathura Mr. Maxwell Waweru.
Click here for the late Paul Gathura Gachau's memorial service in Bristol, UK on Tuesday 21st February 2006
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St. Agnes Church in Bristol where the memorial of the late Gathura took place |
 St. Agnes Church vicar outside the church in Bristol |
 Friends and relatives of the late Gathura carrying the body of the late Gathura from the church. A cousin of the late Gathura - Mr. Gathura and Mr. Njau on the far left |
 Heading for the final destination in Kenya. |
 A team from Githumu the late Gathura's home area posing for a photo before the body left for Kenya |
 Mr. Moses Kinyua the Kenyan boxer in the UK who lives in Bristol was among the guests at the memorial |
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Rev. Gatitu ready to remarry
Rev. Johnson Thuo Gatitu to marry Sister Esther Waceke Gikuni
Rev. Johnson Thuo Gatitu is to marry Sister Esther Waceke Gikuni in Kenya on Saturday 25th February 2006 at 10.00am at First Love Pentecostal Church. Pastor Gatitu moved to the UK ten years ago and has been working and preaching the Word in the Midlands for the past three years. The Wedding details are as follows; First Love Pentecostal Church next to Tumaini Primary School (Umoja II Jua Kali), followed by a reception at the same venue starting at 2.00 pm. The couple requests your presence and prayers. UK contact mobile number 07832153723 and email gatitujohnson@hotmail.com.
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Memorial service of the murdered couple in London
It was an emotional memorial service of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ibrahim Gathungu Mundati as the family and friends gathering at Calvary Charismatic Baptist Church, Barking Branch, Greatfield Hall, King Edwards Road, Barking, Essex. The service took place on Friday 10th February 2006. The service was well attended by people from all walks of life as the touching story of these murdered couples from Githunguri touched the hearts of many. The late couple's daughter and her husband attended the memorial. Pastor Thuku of Calvary Charismatic Church Barking delivered the word of the day. His comforting words were taken from Revelation 14: 6-14. The preacher emphasised on verse 13: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their work do follow them.". The late Mr. Ibrahim Gathungu Mundati and his wife Mrs. Martha Gathoni Gathungu were murdered by their farm worker on Friday 3rd February 2006 in their farm at Githunguri, Kiambu, Kenya. The couple were buried on Friday 10th February 2006.
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CCBC Choir at the service |
 Some of the families who attended the service |
 Their daughter Esther Gathoni Gathungu and her husband Mr. Isaac Gitau laying flower next to their parents photo at the service |
 The preacher of the day Pastor Thuku |
SPECIAL SONG BY THE FAMILY
Blessed assurance - Jesus is mine!....Oh, what a foretaste of glory devine!....
The late Mr.& Mrs. Ibrahim Gathungu Mundati
A GROUP PHOTO AFTER THE SERVICE
Close friends and the family posed for a group photo after the service
 Before the end of the service pastors prayed for the family |
 A cross section of the family and guests at the service |
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"It matters whom you share your dreams with" says Evangelist Theresa in London
Evangelist Theresa Wairimu from Kenya concluded the new year's conference in London on Monday with a dinner with partners in a London hotel. The conference commenced on Thursday 26th January 2006 with the partners meeting. It was followed by the women's meeting on Saturday morning. Worshipers witnessed powerful revival meetings on Saturday and Sunday evenings respectively. All the meetings took place at Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, London, near Parliament Buildings. Before delivering the word on Sunday evening, evangelist Wairimu and Mrs. Mahihu both of whom travelled together from Kenya for the conference updated the congregation about the poverty situation in Kenya. "The gap between the rich and the poor is so big in Kenya." evangelist Wairimu explained. Mrs. Mahihu who is on the ground to feed the hungry in Kilifi explained that Faith Evangelistic Ministry (FEM) went on a mission to feed the hungry at the coast. A big team comprising of doctors, nurses and over 500 fem partners joined hands to feed the hungry. They travelled with tens of buses, lorries and cars.
The ministry opened feeding centres of which they have now become permanent feeding centres. Video clips of the mission were shown at the meetings. Evangelist Wairimu explained that the ministry was in the process of building a big kitchen capable of feeding about 1,600 children a day. Mrs. Mahihu explained the situation of young girls at the coast was getting out of hand as tourists have been exploiting them with money. As a result there is a worrying spread of HIV Aids and other venereal diseases among the young girls. "You would see a girl as young as 12 years old with a baby." Mrs. Mahihu explained. During her preaching, evangelist Wairimu talked about dreams. Reading from Genesis 39:1-5 she narrated the story of Joseph the dreamer. She explained how Joseph experienced problems because of sharing his dreams with the wrong people. She warned that you should be careful in life with whom you share your dream with. "Many people would kill your dream" the evangelist concluded. A number number of people donated towards the famine at the conference. The ministry a team on the ground making sure that every penny donated is properly used. Mrs. Mahihu explained big companies like Kenya breweries are donating towards the famine through the ministry. - CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO CLIP
 Sister Shirley from Kenya singing a song at the conference |
 Mrs. Mahihu (right) from Mombasa Kenya briefing the congregation about the poverty situation in Kenya |
 "I hate poverty, remember some of you had no shoes before coming here" |
 A section of worshippers attended the conference |
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Evangelist Theresa Wairimu stressing a point at the conference |
 Many came with different needs and they were all prayed for |
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London Easter Conference Holds
Dinner for Pastors
The organizers of London Easter Conference, (LEC), held a Pastors' dinner on 12th November 2005 at Memorial Baptist Church, Plaistow in London. The dinner was attended by Pastors Peter Njega of Harvest Christian Church, East Ham, Peter Wangaruro of Jubilee Ministries, London, Geoffrey Muhoro of Rivers of Joy, South London, Paul Waweru of Faith Agency, London, Ben Njuguna of Life Chapel Ministries, Robinson Kamau of Good Samaritan Outreach Ministry and Bonnie Mbugua of International World Revival Ministries, London.
While addressing and thanking those who attended the dinner, the chairman of the London Easter Conference, Rev. Peter Njega, said that the Vision for London Easter Conference, (LEC), was borne two years ago (2004) and was shared between three Pastors, Pastor Peter Wangaruro, Pastor Muhoro and himself.
It started as a forum for organizing a joint Easter Conference but after the first Conference, the Pastors felt the need to continue with such Conferences in the years that followed, and with that spirit, other follow-up meetings, e.g. Youth rally and Couples meetings, were organized, he said. In the second meeting, which was held last year, 2005, Pastor Bonnie Mbugua of International World Revival Ministries was among the first ones to join the forum. Other Pastors who attended or participated in one way or another were, Pastor Elijah Kimani, Pastor Muigai, Pastor Manifort, Pastor Jacob and Pastor Leonard.
Pastor Njega gave the following as the aims of this Forum;
· To foster Unity among Pastors and other Church Leaders.
· To support the individual Local Churches achieve their vision.
· To prepare a platform for Pastors to use their gifts to help other Christians apart from their church members.
· To raise accountability partnership among the Pastors - 'we seek to be accountable to one another'.
· To ensure we raise a common doctrine and standard of Salvation across the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
· Note
We seek to be politically neutral, positive and supportive to all forms of development of our people, but not compromising with evils of whatever form and from whatever power which are oppressive to the people
We have not done much in this area but it is our future target, if at all, the Church shall be relevant to the society.
How do we achieve this?
· Through Leadership Trainings - we seek to have leadership of the church upgraded through tailor made seminars.
· Through encouraging the individual Local Church to be unique and operate as the Spirit will lead them. This seeks to avoid undue photocopy of activities without the power to do.
· Through Joint activities which helps build trust and confidence with other Pastors and members, Easter Conference, Couples meetings, Youth Rallies, etc.
Hindrances to the aims:
· Oppositions from those who are jealousy of this progress- but they should be told we are praying for victory and we are sure God is on our side.
· If we allow internal conflicts, thus failing in our fourth aim.
· Where individual church members fall to catch the wave and therefore remain indifferent
· Lack of Funds - in the past, pastors have contributed off their budgets, and sometimes out of their pockets.
What is our Challenge?
· Continued prayer for the Unity and dependence upon the Lord.
· To get pastors who will understand and embrace the vision.
· The ability to get relevant and trustworthy resource people to help meet with the need of our people.
· The ability to gather committed partners behind us, to pray and support the vision in other various dimensions.
Our proposals
· All partners Plan to attend the Leadership Summit - Registrations forms are available
· All Partners to recruit other church leaders they know and let them register.
· All partners are encouraged to keep correspondence via the post office box shown on the registration forms.
· Partners to help the LEC to raise the money it needs for its immediate operations.
· A bank account is being opened for all the finances for LEC.
Lastly, Should you consider joining this forum, please, contact:- Pastor Peter Wangaruro, Mble. No.+44 (0) 7940105578 or write to LONDON EASTER CONFERENCE, P. O. BOX 42293, LONDON E7 9XY, he concluded.
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| A group photograph of some of the Pastors and guests who attended the London Easter Conference Pastors' Dinner on 12th November 2005. Seated (L to R), Mrs Njega, Mrs Mbugua and Mrs Wangaruro. Back row (L to R), Pst. Bonnie Mbugua, Deacon Duncan K. Kamanu, Pst. Robinson Kamau, Bro. Wanyoike, Pst. Peter Wangaruro, Pst. Geoffrey Muhoro, Mrs Muhoro, Pst. Peter Njega, Pst. Ben Njuguna and Pst. Paul Waweru. | Pastor Bonnie Mbugua and Bro. Wanyoike, both from World Revival Ministries Inter., Pastor Peter Wangaruro of Jubilee Ministries, London, Pastor Geoffrey Muhoro of Rivers of Joy, South London and Pastor Peter Njega of Harvest Christian Church, East Ham, during the London Easter Conference Pastors' Dinner at Memorial Baptist Church, Plaistow on 12th November 2005. |
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Anglicans get women bishops plan
Church of England group has devised a compromise designed to allow the ordination of women bishops without causing a split in the Church. A report suggests a group of male bishops - so called "flying bishops" - could work in parishes unwilling to accept the authority of a woman.
The working party of bishops given the task of finding a way to ordain women as bishops and keep the Church together at the same time showed on Monday that it was under no illusion as to the challenge it faced. Its chairman, the Bishop of Guildford Christopher Hill, modestly acknowledged that it was untidy, and far from a perfect solution. He added ominously that "no course of action is free from pain and risk". The deep divisions in the Church over sexuality have already stretched its unity to breaking point.
Argument 'settled' The last thing it needs is another protracted dispute about an issue as fundamental as whether women should be bishops. But there are two factors playing in the Church's favour.
One is that at the most basic level the argument was settled more than 10 years ago when the Church decided to ordain women as priests.
Some 480 traditionalist clergy left the Church of England, mostly for the Roman Catholic Church (although 70 came back), and perhaps the bulk of those who felt most strongly are now absent from the debate.
The other saving grace is that the split over women bishops (and women priests for that matter) cuts across the Church in a different way from that about sexuality. One of the most destructive elements of the divisions over sexuality is that it divides Anglicans down the historic line between its Protestant evangelical and Anglo-Catholic wings, widening an already vulnerable fault-line.
The minority that now opposes women bishops is centred on traditionalist Anglo-Catholics, but includes evangelicals who believe the bible teaches the concept of male headship in the Church.
In addition to that, some of those keenest to see women in the episcopate are Anglo-Catholics, but liberal ones.
None of this means the dispute will be easy to defuse.
Messy compromise
The Guildford Committee considered three options, the most progressive being a simple "single-line clause" opening the way to women bishops without enshrining in canon law any concessions to opponents.
Then there was the demand by many traditionalists for their own separate division of the Church, sometimes referred to as a third province, operating alongside the provinces of York and Canterbury.
Finally there was the messy compromise, "an honest acknowledgement", as the Guildford Report admits, "of our frailty and division in this hugely significant area of our life". It is likely that few will be truly happy with the compromise.
There is evidence from inside the House of Bishops' meeting last week, that although they were content for it to be debated by synod, a substantial minority would have liked to move directly to include women among their number.
But the greater opposition is likely to come from traditionalists with deep-seated objections to serving under the authority of women bishops.
Some insist - as they did when women were ordained as priests - that Jesus' choice of only men as his apostles shows that priesthood and leadership in the Church should be reserved to men.
They also point to the long tradition of the chain of episcopal authority which has been passed down by the laying-on of hands by male bishops, which stretches back to the early Church.
Second exodus?
They argue that if the Church of England decides "unilaterally" to ordain women bishops it will set back relations with other churches, such as the Roman Catholics.
They maintain that only a separate "third province" would ensure that they did not come under the care of a woman bishop, or have to work with clergy whose ordination by a woman bishop some time in the future, they did not regard as valid.
They seem unlikely to get that autonomy, so there might be a second exodus from the Church. Traditionalists have warned that hundreds of their numbers will go.
If they do, there won't be the generous financial provisions that were used over a decade ago to sugar the pill of women priests.
A new mood is discernible, one that says it cost too much to provide for clergy jumping ship last time round, and that with women bishops on the cards for at least 10 years, those who felt that strongly have had plenty of time to decide.
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"At last I have decided to say I do"
The chairlady of Kenya Women Association in UK Miss Praxides Sabina Asendwa has decided to call it a day. She is now engaged and ready to marry in April, 2006 in Kenya. The husband to be Mr. Abel Odhiambo Were who is a General Manager with an International Seed company in Kampala, Uganda flew in last week for an engagement ceremony which was held on Sunday 8th January, 2006. The colourful ceremony which was well attended by friends from all walks of life was held at her local church, Liberty Christian Fellowship which is based at City University, Angel, in the City of London. Miss Sabina who is also the secretary of Woken Investment Limited has been in UK for a decade working with different community organisations before forming Kenya Women Association. A high flying Sabina has good connections in the Kenyan community and she is the one who presented Kenyans in the UK grievances to President Kibaki last time he was in London.
In the church during the engagement ceremony Sabina was escorted by a team ladies singing songs as they escorted her to the platform. A dinner followed thereafter at a nearby venue. The couple will be marrying on 15th April 2006 at Pentecostal Church, Valley Road, Nairobi and a reception will follow thereafter at the prestigious Windsor Golf Club in Nairobi.
 Miss Praxides Sabina being escorted by ladies to the platform for the engagement ceremony |
 Behind the scene some ladies where doing some homework |
 Abel Were kneeling down as he fixed a ring to Miss Sabina Asendwa during the engagement ceremony |
 The resident pastor Rev. Lincoln Serwanga delivered the word of the day as well as officiating the engagement ceremony |
 It was joy everywhere as guests hug Miss Sabina Asendwa |
 Congratulations came from every angle |
 The couple will be holding their reception at the Windsor Hotel, in Nairobi |
 Dressing to marry - Mrs Praxides Sabina Asendwa posing after the ceremony |
 BBC Broadcaster Mr. Solomon Mugera was the master of the ceremony |
 A section of the guests at the reception |
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Bye bye Rachel Njambi Gitau
Family and friends of the late Rachel Njambi Gitau gathered to give her the last respect in an emotional memorial service which was held at Pilgrim Centre, Regent Street, Swindon on Wednesday 4th January 2006. A well attended service was conducted by the resident pastor Pastor Davis. Pastor Davis preached from Mathews 22:11-14 - talking about the wedding garment. "Many a called but few a chosen" Pastor Davis added while reminding the congregation that the King of the Church who is Jesus Christ is coming soon to collect those with the right garment. He continued to remind them that the man without the wedding garment did not allowed into the wedding. He asked everyone at the service to make sure that they have the right wedding garment for the some of man is coming soon. Much of the good work of late Rachel who was an usher at the church was talked at the memorial with one church deacon reminding the worshippers that Rachel once changed her shifts at her place of work to serve in the church.
 The family of the late Rachel giving a number at the service |
 A good neighbour of the late Rachel Mr. Manje Wairia and his family were seen at the service |
 A number of of guests attended the service |
 The preacher of the day Pastor Davis |
 Ladies who were friends of the late Rachel escorting the body out of the church |
 Among the guests was Mrs Jane Muiruri formerly Jane Muita |
The late Rachel Njambi was born on 5th May 1973 in Ngeteti Village, Githunguri, Kiambu, Kenya. She used to work as a volunteer for the Swahili community in Swindon after school club. She started feeling unwell on the 25th December 2005 and on the 26th December, 2005 she was admitted at Great Western Hospital in Swindon. Her condition deteriorated and on the early hours of 27th December she passed away.
Family and close friends posing for a final photo at the service
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SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Register offices in in Holland have been inundated with requests for weddings on June 6 2006 (06/06/06) - because of the Biblical reference to 666. Almost 20 couples have applied to marry in Enschede that Tuesday and 14 weddings are planned in Rotterdam. Leeuwarden expects its first Tuesday wedding. 'It is normally a very quiet day of the week but not that day,' said a register office spokesman. The 666 figure is the 'number of the beast'.
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UK Welcomes Religious Workers Under New Immigration Rules
19 December 2005
206/2005
New provisions designed to help strike a better balance between helping faith
communities find suitably qualified religious workers while maintaining robust
immigration controls were announced today by the Home Office.
Following the conclusion of its consultation with faith communities on
immigration provisions for religious workers from abroad, the Government will
introduce a new immigration category that allows religious workers in
non-pastoral roles to come to the UK to work for up to two years. This will
cover workers whose duties include performing religious rites - such as reading
the scriptures aloud or tending to the deities - but not preaching to a
congregation.
Unlike Ministers of Religion, they will not have to speak English, and will not
be eligible to settle in the UK. They will also be prohibited from acting as a
Minister of Religion, Missionary or Member of a Religious Order, in order to
avoid this new category being used to circumvent existing rules.
The Home Office will also introduce a pre-entry qualification for all religious
workers, carrying out pastoral and non-pastoral work, as part of the wider
implementation of the Points-Based System for managed migration.
A further proposal contained in the consultation - for a post-entry civic
knowledge test for Ministers of Religion - will not now be introduced. This
reflects the separate introduction of a similar test for those applying for
British citizenship introduced in November, and similar proposals for those
seeking settlement as set out in the five year strategy for asylum and
immigration published in February this year.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said:
"The introduction of a new category for non-pastoral religious workers will help
faith communities to find suitably-qualified personnel that are not always
available in the UK.
"Many faiths require a range of personnel to perform religious rites within
their community who do not have a pastoral role. This new category caters for
such workers. Ministers of Religion preach to their congregation and therefore
are required to speak English, but non-pastoral workers coming to the UK under
the new category will not preach, will not be required to speak English, and
will not be eligible to stay in the UK for more than two years."
"Meanwhile, the introduction of a pre-entry qualification, which is for all
religious workers, will mean that overseas nationals will only be able to come
to the UK to perform religious duties if their own religious community
recognises that they are qualified to do so.
"We recognise that different faith groups have differing methods for assessing
who is qualified to work in their community. Implementation as part of the new
Points-Based System will therefore give us time to work with the faith
communities to develop the criteria and structures for assessment to ensure a
smooth transition to the new system.
"However, we are not proposing to introduce civic knowledge tests specifically
for Ministers of Religion so soon after the tests of knowledge of life in the UK
have been introduced to the British citizenship requirement, and while we are
still working on the new settlement requirements outlined in the five year
strategy."
The main provisions of the new immigration category are that the applicant:
Mr McNulty added:
"Both changes I am announcing today recognise the needs of the faith communities
and their concerns about ensuring that overseas nationals have the skills needed
to practise their ministry in the UK's diverse society.
"They also balance the aims of community cohesion and a robust and effective
immigration control. We will continue to work with the faith communities on
these issues."
Following the first stage of consultation, the Government introduced an English
language requirement for all those applying for leave as a Minister of Religion
on or after 23 August 2004. Currently applicants must demonstrate that they have
a basic command of English; from August 2006 they will have to demonstrate that
they are a competent user of English.
The measures announced today form part of the Government's ongoing strategy to
ensure the UK's immigration system is firm but fair, allowing those individuals
who can contribute to UK society to come here while ensuring there are robust
systems in place to tackle abuse.
NOTES TO EDITORS;
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