Inauguration of Kilifi Mission

From Mission to Official House of God

By Candise Heinlein

Bishop Kahuthu blesses the church building, officially declaring it a house of God.

Amid much celebration, Bishop Kahuthu officially inaugurated Kilifi Mission as another mission of Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church (KELC) and installed Yefta Odisa as its evangelist. The ceremony held on 17 October 2010 began outside with a history of the mission, blessing of the leaders, and blessing of the commemorative plaque. A new Kiswahili Bible and the minutes of the Executive Council that approved the inauguration of Kilifi Mission were placed in a crevice in the wall of the church and were sealed with a plaque commemorating the day. Bishop Kahuthu later blessed the plague in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The ceremony continued inside the church where the Bishop blessed the building and declared, “Now this place is officially opened as a house of God. It should be respected; no quarreling or other disrespectful behavior should take place inside it.” Choirs from two of the congregations performed multiple songs. Bishop Kahuthu then installed Evangelist Odisa, and leaders of the congregations laid hands upon him for a blessing. Choir members joined the celebration and threw flower petals and colored rice into the air as they sang, “Baba-Baba, baba-baba baba huyo” (“Father,” a song sung to leaders with responsibility).

Kilifi is one of 15 mission areas of KELC. Kilifi was one of the last to be inaugurated, with two remaining to be inaugurated (Kipini and Kilate).  The mission started in 2002, and the first evangelist was sent to the mission in 2005. In 2009, the members contributed money to purchase a plot and then began building the church. Kilifi Mission has 5 congregations, the largest being Mkoreshoni, which currently has 40 members.

 

MEW Director Visits KELC

Director of MEW Visits KELC

by Candise Heinlein

Rev. Peter Weigane, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bravaria and Director of

MEW Director receives gifts from Bishop Kahuthu and KELC.

 

Mission One World (in German, Mission Einewelt; MEW), visited KELC 4-5 March, 2009. Pastor Weigane has been director of MEW for two years. This visit was the culmination of his trip to various points in Africa where MEW has a presence. He and Bishop Kahuthu met to give the director an introduction to KELC and to discuss various KELC projects. The director also met with other KELC department heads. A farewell luncheon was held in Dorcas House to thank the director for MEW’s partnership and to wish him safari njema.

         In bidding farewell, Bishop Kahuthu commented, “It is said that the differences between us are skin color and where we are from. You (Pastor Weigane) experience 12 hours of light and a cold winter… But we are one in Jesus Christ.” In leaving, Pastor Weigane remarked, “God bless you and your work. We will be trustful partners…the issue is not only to be successful, but we will be partners in joy and when in sorrow, we will share pain and troubles.” The visit further strengthened the bond between KELC and MEW and ensures a bright future for the partnership.