East African Pastoral Conference in Kisii

On Monday morning we began our two day East African Pastoral Conference in Kisii.  In all, 19 men attended representing five different countries: Kenya (7), Tanzania (6), Uganda (4), Zambia (1), and the United States (1).  Five men from different East African districts presented papers on various topics crucial to distinguishing our church from others in these countries: Baptism, the Role of Women in the Church, Church Discipline, and Law and Gospel.  I also gave the men a test on Christian Doctrine to review the basics of Biblical knowledge and understanding.

The conference leaders (Pastor Malyi - Chairman; Pastor Fred - Secretary; Pastor Enosh - Chaplain)

• Pastor Fred Ogendo of Chotororo, Kenya presented a paper on Baptism
• Pastor Godson Mshana of Makanya, Tanzania presented a paper on the Role of Women in the church
• Pastor Paul Papani of Kajiado, Kenya presented a paper on Church Discipline and Excommunication
• Pastor Ebenezer Maly of Moshi, Tanzania presented a paper on various church denominations
• Pastor Jeremiah Issangya of Arusha, Tanzania presented a paper on the use of Law and Gospel
• Pastor Samuel Waako of Kampala, Uganda offered an encouragement to confessional purity
• Greetings were shared from other pastors in Zimbabwe and DRCongo.

The men of the conference outside the Kisii Hotel where the conference was held.

We began at 9:00am both mornings.  On Monday we continued until 5:00pm when we adjourned for the evening for meetings, fellowship and discussion among the pastors.  We resumed again on Tuesday morning and concluded just before noon.  Goodbyes were shared and greetings passed on, and many pictures were taken!

More individual meetings were conducted in the afternoon with those who did not have to return home immediately.  Since this would also be my last day in Kisii, I worked to tie up as many loose ends as I could with Fred, Enosh and others.  Tomorrow morning I will leave Kisii early in the morning for the trip back to Nairobi, and tomorrow night I fly out from Nairobi for the return flight home....

The men of the East African Pastoral Conference in Kisii

While these days are always full and chaotic, they are always very beneficial and useful.  It is a joy to see the fellowship with men from so many different areas, tribes and backgrounds.  May the Lord continue to bless the service of these men to the Savior of all men!  There is so much to be done, and we must work while it is day, for the night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4)....

Thanks be to the Lord for the work that He has accomplished through this trip this year, for His blessing and for the safety and encouragement He has given through His Word!

In His service,

Nathanael