Christ became poor! Reading for Advent

As I ponder this Christmas season I can’t help but reflect the beauty and mystery of the incarnation of Christ. This advent season I have been reading “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”, a compilation of twenty two writings by church fathers and modern theologians. I was surprised to find J.I. Packer’s writing similar to the thoughts I was having during this special season. I believe Packer states the splendor of Christ quite well.

“The Word became flesh”; God became man; the divine Son became a Jew; the Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than lie and stare and wriggle and make noises. Needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. And there was no illusion or deception in this; the babyhood of the Son of God was a reality. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the incarnation.

The key text in the NT for interpreting the incarnation is not, therefore, the bare statement in John 1:14, but rather the more comprehensive statement of 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” Packer unloads the verse nicely;

Here is stated, not the fact of the incarnation only, but also its meaning; the taking of manhood by the Son is set before us in a way that shows us how we should set it before ourselves and ever view it—not simply as a marvel of nature, but rather as a wonder of grace. For the Son of God to empty himself and become poor meant to laying aside of glory; a voluntary restraint of power; an acceptance of hardship, isolation, ill-treatment, malice, and misunderstanding; finally, a death that involved such agony—spiritual, even more than physical—that his mind nearly broke under the prospect of it. It mean love to the uttermost for unlovely men, who “through his poverty, might become rich.” This Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity – hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory – because at the Father’s will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later he might hang on a cross. It is the most wonderful message that the world has ever heard, or will hear.

Personally, I believe the reality of Christ becoming poor carries more significant for me today than a year ago. Living in Kenya the last three months has allowed me to understand and engage poverty on a different level. I believe poverty is the greatest disease known to man. I will not talk about the depths of poverty because poverty, or at least the affects of poverty, is among all of us (Romans 3:23). But I would like to talk about what is important, Christ becoming poor.

I believe the implications of Christ becoming poor are staggering. Growing up I have heard of the “Christmas spirit”; however I rarely associated it with more than a sentimental jollity on a family basis. But if we understand Christ’s poverty he makes it clear that the phrase should carry tremendous weight of meaning. It ought to mean the reproducing in human lives the temper of him who for our sakes became poor at the first Christmas. And the Christmas spirit itself ought to be the mark of every Christian all year round. The Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor—spending and being spent—to enrich their fellow men, giving time, trouble care, and concern, to do good to others—and not just their own friends—in whatever way there seems need.

There are not as many who show this spirit as there should be. If God in mercy revives us, one of the things he will do will be to work more of this spirit in our hearts and lives. If we desire spiritual quickening for ourselves individually, one step we should take is to seek to cultivate this spirit. “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be rich.” “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. (Ps. 119:32).

My prayer this Christmas season is to know, on a deeper level, what it means that our Savior became poor.

Church plant opportunity!

I am excited to share about an opportunity the Lord has given me.

Towards the middle of October I decided to visit Calvary Chapel Nairobi. I have attended Calvary Chapels in the States, so I wanted see what the African context had to offer. To my surprise the service was similar to most Calvary Chapels I had previously attended. The main difference was the length of the service. After three and half hours the service was finally over. Customary to most African services tea and fellowship followed the benediction. After the service I was tired and exhausted; however I decided to stay around for some chi. As I continued to fellowship and sip my chi I met a brother named Benedict (pictured with his family).

Benedict is the only Kenyan fulltime staff member at Calvary Chapel Nairobi. He’s served at CCN since the church’s beginning, nearly five years ago. As we continued to talk I soon discovered we shared a similar interest; to take the gospel to Muslims. Benedict shared how he desires to plant a church amongst the least reach Muslims in Kenya.

I must say it’s extremely rare for a Kenyan to have a passion to reach Muslims for Christ. The three months I have lived in Kenya I have met few Christians who desiring to minister amongst Muslims. I do not believe the issue is directly related to Islam but rather a fundamental misunderstanding of the grand narrative of God, or their understanding of missions and evangelism. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of Kenyans who wish to be pastors. However I have observed a disconnect between what it means to be a pastor compared to a minister of the gospel. The majority of Christians want to be given the title of pastor, but few exhibit the need to perform ministry, at least the breadth of ministry found in the gospel. I believe the biblical requirements of the pastorate have been overlooked in light of the title of the position. The result entails pastors ‘ministering’ in Nairobi who never recognize or address the <1million people in dire poverty; and for this context never recognize the people in their own country who have never heard the gospel. It’s a reality check for all of us. We call ourselves pastors or Christians but who is defining our title?

However I am thankful for Benedict because he is a brother not consumed by a title, but rather concerned for a lost and dying world. Since our original meeting, Benedict and I have met several times and discussed how God might use our similar passions. We have decided to move forward and pursue a church plant along the coast of Kenya. Benedict will be traveling to Mombasa on the 16 of December to gain a better understanding of where and how we might start. He will be connecting and strategizing with local Christain leaders in order to understand where the greatest need might be. Please pray for him as he is in Mombasa from the 16-27 of December. While he’s away in Mombasa I will be working here in the States on some ethnographic research (or should I say researching people groups online). Eventually we hope to develop a strategic plan of how we envision the church plant.

I am excited for what God is doing, I hope you are too. In the coming months I’ll be working more behind the scenes, mainly because I‘ll be in Nairobi busy with school. However where I am studying presents great opportunities for researching and preparing for a church plant along the coast. In fact, two of the professors at NEGST did their PhD’s among Muslim people groups along the coast.

I would also like to ask you to join me in ministry by praying for the church plant. We are looking for more people to physically join the church planting effort. We want to find like ‘minded people’ (preferably Kenyans) who share our desire to see Muslims come to Christ. You can also be praying for Benedict’s financial situation. Traveling to and from Mombasa can be expensive, may God’s blessings rest upon his service. Thank you for the prayers you are going to offer, they are truly needed and felt.

In His Grip,

Aaron

Fifa South Africa here we come!

I wanted to share some photos of the 2009 NFTC Football Champions! Yes, that's right, after a 25 + year drought NEGST has brought home the championship. Every year all the Christian colleges and seminaries form teams to play in the NFTC soccer competition. In the past NEGST has claimed to spend more time in the library than the soccer field; however this year has changed their identity ha-ha. No longer does NEGST only promote Christain academic excellence in the African classroom, but also on the soccer field.

I can't do justice in explaining the excitement the players shared after the game. After we brought the trophy back to campus we celebrated by marching around the campus shouting various soccer chants. Growing up in a country where soccer is not that big a deal I found the entire day quite humerous. The day really busted the spirits of people on campus; I thank God for the joy that it brought.

The Joys of Finals Week!

Hello Friend,

Sorry it’s been a while since I have written. I have thought about writing a few times, but for whatever reason I have not. The lack of writing is not because I haven’t been experiencing new things; in fact just the opposite. There’s so much going on I’m not sure where to begin. I’ll just use this entry to inform you about the interesting dynamics of finals week at an African school.

Currently it’s the second to last week of the term, which means most of the students are in panic mode. However, compared to the majority of the students, I have little to worry about. My greatest fear is over booking myself as an “English tutor.” Native English speakers here are a hot commodity. I’m probably asked to proof read (dare I say write) two papers every day. I guess if I was at another school my help would be classified as a job, here I look at it as a ministry. I see helping my fellow classmates as advancing Christian education and ultimately the gospel across the world. It’s exciting to think about where my classmates will be and have already taken the gospel. Let me briefly tell you about two of my friends serving the Lord.

Anson A. Titus (picture) comes from South East India (Kerala). His father pastors a small church in one of the poorest parts of South East India. Before Anson arrived in Nairobi he had never left Kerala. The longest he had been away from his home was two days. He’s now been in Nairobi for three months. He’s the only Indian student on campus, so as you can imagine life is not always easy for him. He’s hoping to receive his MDiv in theology before he returns India to do ministry. His current plan after school is to do children’s ministry in Orissa, one of the neediest places in India. Please pray for Anson as English is his third language. He’s also not sure where the finances will come from the duration of his stay.

The other friend I wanted to mention is Joshua Lasattu (picture) from Tanzania. Joshua, like many students at NEGST, has to leave his wife of two years and baby daughter at home in order to attend school. The financial cost is just too high to bring his family along. Once Joshua is done with school he’ll be going home to be with his family and continue in ministry. Joshua is in his late thirties and has plenty of ministry experience. He’s looking at doing ministry in one of poorest parts of Northwest Tanzania. He’ll most likely be engaging Muslims, as 50% of the Tanzanian population is Muslim. This term has been difficult for him as he’s been fighting malaria on and off. Lift him up in prayer too as I know he misses his family a lot.

That’s all I have time to share, I hope you are doing well.

Aaron

Ministry Update

Hello Friends,
I was able to visit two ministries last weekend just south of Nairobi. Just click the play button and you'll get some pictures and commentary. I'm doing well; school is starting to pick up as I head towards the final stretch (only about a month left). I am growing a lot inside and outside the classroom. If you have the time you can lift me up in prayer. Last weekend I was sick, so please continue to pray for my health. You can also pray for two brothers I have been ministering to. Humphrey is an atheist with a lot of doubts, the other one is a Muslim called Ramadan. Thank you friends, I look forward to catching up. Aaron

Church in Kibera

Grace and Peace! I pray you are acting favorably to God’s immense love. I want to share briefly of a ministry I was able to visit a couple of weeks ago. I hope you are challenged by what God is doing.

My friend Lindy, from City Vineyard of Chicago, invited me to visit a church he helped plant. First, I must admit that Lindy is someone I admire; he’s always sensitive and obedient to the leading of the Spirit. His obedience is what led him to the second largest slum in Africa, Kibera. There are supposedly 1 million people residing in Kibera. One year ago Lindy wasn’t sure why God told him to go to Kibera and pray, but he was obedient and went. He faithfully walked and prayed up and down the streets of Kibera. As he continued to pray he was forced into a local café (picture) because of a rain storm. The streets in Kibera often double as gutters when torrential down pours occur. As Lindy sat waiting for the rain to stop he met a man who had lost full function of his arm because of a matatu (bus) accident. Lindy thought he should pray for the man’s arm, so he did. Miraculously the man’s arm was healed! Lindy shared with the man how God had healed him. As Lindy continued to share about Jesus the man decided he not only wanted to be healed physically but also spiritually. Now Lindy had the attention of others in the café. The people were eager for him to come back and share more. However Lindy had to leave for the USA. Thankfully Lindy’s friend, Pastor Dickson from Kenya, agreed to go back to the eager people. To make a long story short, Pastor Dickson continued to visit the café where the church emerged. Today the church has outgrown the small café and is now renting a larger building.

I had the privilege of visiting the church with Lindy. Before we went to the church we visited where the church began. After sipping some chi and talking to church members we headed over to where the church now gathers. The vibrant worship was lead by pastor Dickson’s wife. After six or so songs the visitors (Lindy and I) were asked to share a word. I shared a briefly about the love of Christ, how He left the ninety-nine sheep to find the one lost. Lindy (who is known as the founder of the church) preached the sermon. After the sermon there was a time of ministry when the pastors (they included me as a pastor because I go to NEGST) prayed for the congregation. Praise God, the church now consists of more than fifty members! The church has challenges, like all fallen human beings, but they continue to make Christ their focus. I was truly blessed to see how God is working amongst the physically poor. I am looking forward to staying in contact with Pastor Dickson and the church in Kibera. Please pray with me for this church, may they be found mature in Christ

Blessings Friend,

Aaron

How can they respond if they are not told?

During my visit with Lindy we were able to visit a Vineyard Church in Nairobi. The picture (right) shows me outside the church. I am finding that churches in Kenya never look the same. The church building might be made out of mud, wood, bricks, aluminum, canvas, etc., you just never know. It’s interesting to see how determined they are to have a place to meet.
Besides observing the church building, I was able to meet with Noah, a leader of Vineyard missions in Kenya. Lindy, Pastor Dickson, and I were interested in what the vision and goal of Vineyard mission might entail in Kenya. I was surprised to find out that there are close to fifty Vineyard churches in Kenya. Noah explained how they plan to plant 4-5 new churches Kenya every year. This is truly an incredible growth rate, especially within a country of only thirty million. As the discussion continued, I decided to ask a question I have asked several pastors in Kenya. The question is simple, “how are you engaging the Muslim population in Kenya?” In this context I asked “how many of the 4-5 churches are you planting in Muslim areas?” Noah’s answer was simple, “none, we currently don’t have a goal of planting churches in Muslims areas.” Sadly, I wasn’t surprised by his response, I had heard it before. I guess the 7% Muslim population in Kenya isn’t high enough to address.

Then I was thinking maybe Kenyan Christians are following the lead of American Christians. Did you know only 6% of USA missionary effort (missionaries, finances, etc.) goes towards reaching Muslims? This would mean only 6% of missionary effort goes into reaching roughly 70% of unreached or unengaged people of the world. Yeah I’m thinking Kenyans are following America’s lead. I also keep thinking of Romans 10:14 and wonder if Christians are missing something important.

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Please continue to pray for my connection and interaction with Noah. He’s invited me to a strategic planning conference/meeting the 26 of November; pray that the leadership will catch a vision for reaching the lost.

Aaron

Muslim Demographics

Greetings!

I just ran into some new Muslim population statistics. I found the research intriguing and insightful. The statistics really stand in the face of so many misconceptions Christains and Americans have of Muslims. For example, more than 60% of Muslims live in Asia and only 20% live in the Middle East. If you have time please check out the article. http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=450

Salaam!

Video Update!

I am tired of typing so I thought I would post a video update. Just click on the link and it will take you to the video. Shalom, Aaron.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvbSxvnz-aw

Staying Busy!

Yikes, time is flying, it's almost midterm break. It's hard to believe I have been here over five weeks. I have been busy with my 16 credits of schoolwork. I have also been busy outside of the classroom. I recently shared my testimony in chapel, I believe people were blessed. Last Friday I lead my grace group. Every person on campus is assigned to a grace group which meets to fellowship and encourage one another spiritually. It's a special envrionment, mixing professors, Ph.D. students, yard maintence employees, etc. Offcampus I have been busy attending various church functions, last week I visited and ministered at a church in Kibera, the second largest slum in Africa (I'll write more later and post some pictures later). I am also playing on a basketball team offcampus. Two weeks ago we played in a turnament and won. It's safe to say i'm the only white brother on the court. Being on a team has also opened up some minister opertunities, I suprisingly found out that one of my teamates claims to be an athiest (more info to come). I communicate this to say thank you for your prayers and encouragement. God is growing me in how I think and act for His glory. Blessings, Aaron

Nigh of Aflewo - Pictures!

All Night Aflewo (worship)

Last Friday I attended an all night praise and worship service. I think the fact that the worship was throughout the night says something about the importance of worship in Africa. There is no question worship is a vital aspect of the church in Africa. Every church service here in Africa has showcased Kenyans' passion and zeal for worshipping God. Aflewo (worship) is a movement taking place in Africa similar to the prayer movements which have come out of Korea. I was blessed to worship with 5,000 plus excited Christians throughout the night. African worship is defiantly an African reality not seen in other parts of the world. I am not sure how to explain the evening. There such excitement amongst the believers here in Kenya. I have been told gospel music is becoming more popular that secular music. It seems Christianity is the newest fad, hopefully it will not loose its popularity.

At the same time, I wonder about the heart and mind of the Kenyan worshipers. They defiantly exhibit passion and excitement, but at what cost. The church in Kenya is young, and I wonder if it is possibly growing too fast. After the post election violence in 2007, numerous Kenyan pastors have wondered the same thing. The country is supposedly 80% Christian but continues to have problems with AIDs, poverty, and violence. I think it would wise to look at ourselves before we cast judgment. Then we might want to read Paul's letters to the Corinthians to better understand some of the challenges to becoming sanctified believers. I truly believe this is a time of rejoicing and not doubt or confusion for the global church. Let us rejoice together as the body of Christ for what God is doing.

The following audio clip was taken from the opening prayer at Aflewo 09. The AV team was having technical problems, so the pastor decided to pray. I know some might disagree with the prayer, but that is ok. I think the prayer represents some African realities/concepts which are very common in Africa. May you be blessed and encouraged by this news. Aaron

First week in Kenya!

I am grateful to inform you I have arrived safely in Nairobi Kenya.

The previous Sunday (August 30) I attended my first worship service in Kenya. I visited the “mega church” Nairobi Chapel. I was told there were roughly 2,500 members, which by Kenya’s standards makes it a mega church. The picture (upper right) is the front entrance to the church. I don’t believe I have ever attended a church under a tent, I guess it means I’m in Africa.

The progression of the service was familiar to a service in the States. However, I was able to observe several African realities which are not common to churches in the States. As I entered under the tent a prayer service was already underway. Unlike the Korean church, the prayer service included a small percentage of the total church population. As the pray service ended and the worship began the congregation began to enter the sanctuary. The people joyfully sang and danced to the various songs. The majority of songs were sung in English while there was a couple songs sung in Swahili. The Swahili songs seemed to entice the people dance, clap, and shout even louder. The church was not a “charismatic” church (at least not in theology) but this did not stop the people from worshiping enthusiastically. After the service I was informed by my friend and fellow student from Ethiopia that five of the pastors at the church had graduated from NEGTS (the school I am attending). I am starting to understand how well known this school is throughout Africa.

Back on campus, half of the students are from African countries outside of Kenya. I have met students from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan, Malawi, Rwanda, and probably a few others I am missing. The ethnic diversity makes for a rich learning and living experience. I am constantly hearing different language which is enriching, but at the same time frustrating when I am trying to learn Swahili. The picture below was taken outside of my window of a building similar to mine. I constantly hear children playing below, which is quite delightful compared to the honking of horns in Chicago.

I am so thankful to be hear encouraging people and being encouraged by God’s people here in Africa. I am aslo thankful for the prayers you have offered and going to offer.

By His Grace,
Aaron

Student Visa a GO!

Hello Friends,

I wanted to share some good news. Today I found out that my KPP (Kenya’s Pupil’s Pass / student visa) has been approved. Praise Him!!! There was a good chance that my KPP would not be approved in time, but God has graciously provided.

I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to pray. God has heard your prayer and faithfully answered. Please continue to stand in the gap and be heard among the nations.

Thank you again.

Aaron

Less than two weeks before I leave, yikes.

Changing Demographics

There have been some people who have asked what I will be studying in Kenya. The simplest and most straightforward answer is Islamic Studies (the name of the course). However, I do not believe this title accurately communicates my focus of study. Therefore I desire to communicate my passion and interest of study.

There are two disciplines I am primarily interested in studying. I desire to integrate the fields of theology, especially systematic theology, with missiology, the study of missions. The purpose is to show how the expansion of global Christianity can serve as a positive influence on the way we think about and discuss God, his revelation, and his work in the world. I believe Christians in the West should think of church life in Africa, Asia, and Latin America as an important factor in the formulation and practice of theology. The simple reason Christians in these continents matter theologically is because they represent the majority of Christians in the world today.

Sadly, Christians are uneducated when it comes to global theology. If I asked you to name one theologian or pastor outside of the United States, could you? I don’t believe the average American Christian could think of one (feel free to prove me wrong). In response to not being informed about His bride/church, I am planning on posting mini biographical sketches of majority-world theologians and pastors. The first theologian is Tokunboh Adeyemo who is a frequent guest at NEGST and the general editor of the first all African Biblical commentary (©2006). I hope you are blessed by what God is doing.

Tokunboh Adeyemo was born into a royal Muslim family in Western Nigeria. He was the second child, but the first male child of eight. The tradition among the village called for the oldest son to be the chief of his tribe, therefore he was educated in the best institution in the country. He enjoyed politics as a young man and became the secretary leader of a political party. He continued to be a faithful Muslim reciting his religious prayers and faithfully participating in Ramadan by fasting for thirty days. According to his testimony, “people looked at him and saw a young man with a promising future, but Tokunboh felt an ache inside, an emptiness he could not fill” (Carden).


In his early twenties Tokunboh began to ask questions of life’s meaning, specifically where people went after death. His search for true meaning in life soon became his sole passion. It was not until he witnessed people with few material possessions worshiping God with joy and fever that he was impressed. He decided to find out the reason for their joy. The young man went back to the same church to find out if their passion and zeal for Christ was sincere, he was surprised to find out they were even more zealous for God the following night. As Francis Manana, professor at Pan African Christian College, says “after years of searching and depression, he was converted in 1966 in a small independent church in Ibadan when Rev. E. White, a South African missionary, clearly presented the Gospel” (Manana). The pastor spoke on John 10:10, explaining that Christ came not to introduce another religion, but a relationship. As Adeyemo explains, “as the man concluded, I decided to follow Yeshua, the giver of life”.

Today Adeyemo continues to be one of the leading evangelical Christian figures in Africa. Adeyemo served for twenty five years as the General Secretary of Association of Evangelicals in Africa before becoming the Executive Director of the Centre for Biblical Transformation located in Nairobi, Kenya. His keen understanding of biblical absolutes and passion for the unreached of Africa has made him a distinguished figure in Africa. He truly believes the Bible and theology is not dead but affectively moving among the African people. Adeyemo leads by example making sure his theology is not only studied but lived throughout his life. Adeyemo believes that for any Christian theology to be relevant and lived out in East Africa; account must be taken of the African worldview and self-understanding of the African people.

Where in the world is Kenya?

I desirer to use this blog to inform my prayer partners how they might affectively pray for me and the people of Kenya. Therefore I wanted to share some general information about Kenya. I first must admit I have seen those Jaywalking videos by Leno so I realize this info might be new to a special few (I was recently asked if Kenya was in South America...uh yep).

The country of Kenya is in Southeast Africa (hopefully the map helps). The population is roughly 38,943,000 while 22% of the population is urbanized. The largest city, which is also the capital, is Nairobi with a population of 3,363,000 (this is the closest city to NEGST/school). The official national language is English while Swahili comes in at close second.

Now regards to ministry within Kenya, the country is roughly 78% Christian, 11% ethnic religions, 8% Muslim, and .3% Hindu. Contrary to what some might believe, Protestants outnumber Roman Catholics 33.8% to 26.5%. The 78% Christian adherents might seem surprising to some; however there must be an understanding of the ethnic diversity in order to properly understand the situation.

According to the Joshua Project there are still 35 unreached people groups in Kenya (there are 112 people groups total). "An unreached people are a people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group" (Joshua Project). There are some that suggest that the percentage of a population needed to be influenced to impact the whole groups is 2% Christian. The majority of the 35% unreached people groups are Muslims. One of those Muslim people groups are the Digo people who I hope to ministry amongst (more info to come).

Hopefully the statistics and facts help you understanding the situation. Next time I'll try not to use so many numbers, I know some people will be thankful. Please save this link and come back every so often. I will try to write two new post a month.

Godspeed,

Aaron

Please continue to pray for my student visa. Right now it's a waiting game with the Kenyan government, the visa could be accepted tomorrow or a month from now (I would prefer tomorrow : )

I also forgot to mention when I will be leaving for Kenya. I leave on Tuesday the 25th of August and I will arrive in Kenya on the 27th. Please keep me in your prayers.

A Brief History of NEGST

The Lord first made me aware of NEGST three years ago reading Byang Kato's Theological Pitfalls in Africa. During the 1970's, as Africa experienced great revival, Dr. Kato lead the way for evagelicals. Below is a brief history of NEGST (negst.edu) and how God used a Dr. Kato to lead the way.

In the 1970s, evangelical churches in Africa had seen little need to provide training for their pastors beyond the certificate or diploma level. Dr. Byang Kato of Nigeria, the first African General Secretary of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA), spoke often of what he saw as a coming crisis of Christopaganism in African Christianity. He was convinced of the need for African Biblical theologians with advanced training.

The ultimate objective was not simply the enrichment of the scholar, but of the ordinary believer in the churches-the African Christian who was often poorly taught and vulnerable to a confused understanding of Christian truth.

Before his death in 1975, Dr. Kato made arrangements for launching a Francophone graduate school, established in the Central African Republic in 1977. After his death, the Association of Evangelicals of Africa assumed the responsibility for establishing NEGST-a companion Anglophone graduate school.

The stated purpose was to create a graduate school higher than the existing evangelical theological schools in Africa. The existing schools would then serve as feeder schools to NEGST. The goal was for the school to offer masters degrees in biblical and theological studies, and eventually doctorates in theology.

The first class of four students began their studies in October of 1983, and in July 1986, NEGST granted its first four graduates the Master of Divinity degree. The dream had become a reality.

Today, over 20 years later, NEGST has over 500 graduates from at least 30 countries. Presently the student body is 150 residential and 170 extension students. Our graduates consistently take positions of leadership in their countries, churches and Christian organizations.

In September, 2005, the first doctorate programme was launched, under the leadership of Dr. Douglas Carew, Vice Chancellor. The first PhD cohort is due to graduate in 2009, with succeeding groups in 2-3 year intervals.

Dr. John Stott, evangelical statesman, has said, "NEGST is doing, and will increasingly do in the future, a job of outstanding importance. I am impressed with the very fine students NEGST attracts. I believe NEGST graduates will be taking places of increasing importance on the continent and around the world. NEGST has my enthusiastic endorsement

Why Nairobi?

I know what a lot of people are thinking (and asking), "why Africa? Aren't there plenty of great seminaries in America?" Therefore I wanted to share some of my thoughts.


I want you to know it was after prayer and encouragement that I applied to Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) and was accepted. There are several reasons I want to share with you why I believe God is leading me to this school.

1. I believe God has awakened the African people and He has gone before them (just read Phillip Jenkins, The Next Christendom). I am trying to be obedient to his voice and follow Him (John 10:4).
   
2. I believe understanding a person’s worldview (how he or she views the world) is of utmost importance while ministering. Studying in America will give me little insight into ministry within Africa, unlike being taught by African scholars. I see attending NEGST as providing me strategic on field training.


3. Studying at NEGST will give me the opportunity to be involved in cross-cultural ministry while I further my education. I am connecting with organizations/ministries in Nairobi and especially within the Mombasa area where large Muslim communities reside (I will send more info soon).


4. I will be making vital contacts for future ministry. One ambition the Lord has placed upon me is to see the universal church united and functioning the way God designed it to. NEGST is one of the most diverse graduate schools within Africa, which would allow me to make necessary connections (here’s my plug- http://www.youtube.com/user/AllTheNations2819). There are several other reasons I desire to attend NEGST, so feel free to ask.
   
   

I close by saying God is a sovereign God who closes and opens doors in His timing. May I be submissive to His will wherever He sends me.

News Update

Hello Friends and Family,

I just wanted to give you a quick update; I hope and pray you are doing well.

Praise and Blessings

After four years of study and ministry I have graduated from Moody Bible Institute!!! I still remember the first night in the dorm, kneeling beside my bed to ask God to give me the strength to complete the four years. He has graciously answered my prayer, praise Him!

The winter retreat I spoke at in Virginia went better than I expected. The kids were great; receptive to the messages on prayer and participated in all the activities. The retreat was also a blessing for me getting away from school and seeing how God was moving amongst my friend’s youth group. Thank you for partnering in prayer and interceding before the father. (the pictures are from the time spent with the youth group)

Currently I am in Washington State trying to save money in order to attend NEGST. Thankfully the Lord has provided several landscaping jobs to keep me busy.

***Prayer***

The first prayer request is the speedy reply to my student visa application for studying at NEGST. The Kenyan government will eventually accept the request; it is just a matter of time. I can still attend the school without a student visa, but there would be several future complications.

Please pray for brothers and sisters in Christ who desire to partner with me in ministry. Living far away from home in a distant culture is not easy, much less trying to share the gospel to spiritually ignorant people. There are numerous ways people can partner with me.

Sending e-mails, Skype calls, etc. is probably one of the greatest blessings of partnership.

There is also financial partnership, where people who want to invest in God’s work, can partner in my service. I am asking God to provide monthly support, so that I can study Islam at NEGST and minister amongst the Muslim people of Kenya and Africa.

Then there is spiritual partnership which means people prayerfully intercede for the people of Africa and my ministry.

Also pray for the right contacts in Kenya. The Lord has already provided a few contacts through African Inland Mission, CrossWorld, YWAM, and a few churches, but please ask for the contacts God desires.

God Bless,

Aaron