-------------------------------------------------------------
- Crusades / Conferences -
------------------------------------------------
Mission to Kitale, January
2010
KITALE CRUSADE-KENYA REPORT AUGUST 2010
Participants at the couples’ conference pose for a photograph after
the conferenc
Introduction
Abundant Life International Ministries (ALIM) after five years of ministry
in Africa, is growing stronger and more effective than ever before, as
testified in this report. ALIM opened its frontiers to another African
Country, Kenya by holding an evangelical crusade in the Western regional
town of Kitale from 11th-14th August 2010. Activities during the Crusade
week were the Crusade itself, Pastors and leader’s conference, hospital
and prison ministry, street preaching and visits to children's homes. A team
of 5 ministers from Northern Ireland and England together with the ALIM
team from Uganda joined up with the local Pastors of the town in an incredible
manner in fulfilling the great commission. “Therefore, go and make
disciples of all nations…..” Mathew 28:19. The UK team included
Pastor Ernest Howie, Pastor Mike Smith, Adrian, Ann and Nathaniel. The
team participated in ministering to the people of the town and through
their availability to be used of the Lord, 1,113 people gave their lives
to Jesus Christ. Many were healed and delivered from the diseases and
infirmities that afflicted them.
CONFERENCE
The conference had over 300 participants in attendance and they were composed
of Pastors, deacons and all those with leadership responsibilities in
their local congregations.
The speakers in the conference were Pastor Ernest and Pastor Mike whom
the Lord used in a mighty way. The message that God placed on the hearts
of the ministers was centred on the restoration of the fear of God in
the Church of Jesus Christ. The subtopics that fell under this theme included
restoration of family values under the topic on Marriage as God intended,
the work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian Church and working in the
purposes of God in the Life’s journey. The three days power packed
conference ended with all leaders and Pastors being commissioned to live
in the fear of God. Over 150 leaders received the baptism of the Holy
Spirit.
Ps. Ernest praying for the Pastors and leaders to be filled with the Holy
Spirit in accordance with God’s word
CRUSADE
The crusade took place in Kenyatta Stadium from 11th to 14th, 4.00-6.30
pm. On all days, the heavens let loose and the rains came down. On the
first day, regardless of the rainy conditions of the town, out of the
total number of people who braved the evening shower, half of them came
forward boldly and gave their lives to Jesus Christ. Pastor Ernest, by
the grace of God communicated the faith we profess, challenging all to
make a decision for Life or death. During ministry time at the crusade,
a number of sick people were prayed for and they received their healing!
Many of those who were prayed for testified that they have been miraculously
healed by God. A total number of 1,113 people made a decision to follow
Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and savior.
Pastor Ernest Howie leading the people in a confession prayer after they
marched forward to be saved.
STREET PREACHING
To reach the unreached and particularly those that had not time to come
to the crusade ground, the gospel was taken to their door steps. The sound
system was mounted on a truck and it moved from place to place, especially
in the trading centers and housing estates. At arrival in a place with
people, the truck would make a stop, praises were sung, a message given
and an alter call made. Many people responded positively to the call for
salvation to the glory of God. The ministry team enjoyed the favor of
the Lord as they ministered in townships and housing estates.
PRISON MINISTRY
Ministry was carried out in the two main prisons in the town. The women’s
prison had 59 inmates and the male one had 1120 inmates. The message to
the inmates challenged them to focus on the love of God demonstrated in
Christ Jesus and that love transcends their situation as inmates. Many
prisoners got saved and those who were sick were prayed for to receive
their healing in Jesus name. The team presented gifts of love to the inmates,
which include sugar and soap. In the women prison besides sugar and soap
the prisoners also received a donation of pads, and milk for the children
of prisoners who had children in the prison. The inmates who gave their
lives to Christ also received a donation of Bibles and a t-shirt each
with a gospel scripture confirming their son-ship in God.
Nathaniel presenting gifts of Sugar, Soap and Bibles to the Pastors in
Charge of prison ministry
HOSPITAL MINISTRY
The ministry team visited the regional referral hospital where they demonstrated
the love of Jesus Christ to the sick, by preaching, counseling and prayer.
The team also gave to the patients gifts of sugar and soap, and this was
received with gratitude. Many patients received salvation and the Lord
delivered them; including their attendants.
RADIO BROADCAST
During the week, Pastor Ernest was hosted on a local radio which had a
potential audience of ten million people, where he taught the word of
God. In the History of broadcasting in that area there has never been
a feedback compared to the response in Kitale. Many people gave their
lives to Jesus Christ some of whom came to testify at the crusade that
they got saved while listening to radio. The most interesting experience
was of a young lady called Priscilla who was contemplating suicide. After
listening to the radio, she called in and made an appointment to meet
Pastor Ernest. When they met, she poured her heart to the minister who
counseled and prayed with her. After all was done, she was total delivered
and also received Jesus as her personal Lord and savior.
Pastor Ernest at Local radio
MEETING THE NEW BELIVERS
On the last day of the crusade, Pastor Ernest Howie had a meeting with
the new converts where he encouraged them in the Lord and pledged prayer
support from ALIM. He encouraged the Pastors to take seriously the harvest,
to ensure that none of them goes back to their former way of life. In
the same meeting, the chairman of the organizing committee introduced
all the pastors who participated in organizing the crusade to the new
converts. They afterwards divided the decision cards according to the
locations where the converts live. .
New believers listening to words of encouragement by Pastor Ernest during
a private meeting
CHALLENGES
Poor weather conditions. The weather conditions were hostile as it rained
all the evenings during the crusade time except the last night. Though
this affected the numbers of those who were to attend the crusade, God
surprised us each night as more people came than we could imagine. On
the second last day, there was a heavy down pour during the prayer for
healing and deliverance. Most of the people who had come for prayer braved
the rain, and the following day was full of testimonies of all those who
had received healing during that great act of faith in God.
The constitutional referendum. The crusade started a week after the elections/
a national referendum for constitutional review in Kenya. The mood for
big gatherings was fearful as people were still coming to terms with the
results. Nevertheless, we thank God for the peaceful moments we enjoyed
throughout the crusade week in Kenya.
Working with Pastors on new methods of accountability. Accountability
as understood by many people in the west is still a new concept in the
African context, more so among Church leaders. Many people we were working
with found it a little strange when they were asked to present the expenses
details for the previous advances before they are given more, with a reason
that it is not part of their culture. This was however overcome steadily
with a lot of patience and explanations. This area continues to build
our experience as a ministry for current and future engagements, but also
for whoever will read this report with a view to learning something from
experience in organizing crusades.
TESTIMONIES
Healing. Many people received miracles of healing and deliverance from
all forms of oppression by the devil. Those who were healed testified
to that effect in public to the glory of God.
Salvation. Many people were presented with a choice to make between Life
and death and within the course of the week the records revealed that
1,113 people had given their lives to Jesus Christ. What a joy that was
and is for these many sinners who chose the path of righteousness.
Unity among pastors. For the 1st time, Pastors in the town came together
in unity to organize such a fruitful event. All the crusades that have
ever been organized in that town, were by individual persons not as a
team of pastors. As a result of this working together, the Pastors saw
the synergies in corporate working and resolved to officially launch a
pastor’s fellowship in the town. The Executive committee of this
fellowship was inaugurated on the 16th of August 2010, shortly after the
crusade. Thank you Jesus.
Priscilla got saved during the radio broadcast, was delivered from evil
oppression to the Glory of God and baptised in the Holy Spirit.
THANKS GIVING
We are grateful to Pastor Ernest Howie for funding the conference. We
acknowledge the efforts of Pastor Julius Eribu of Soroti Community Church
that resulted in high turn up of couples. Above all, we thank God for
His provision, protection and health, which enabled us to have this conference.
THANKS
We give thanks to the Almighty God for using the ALIM team to do exploits
during the crusade week and above all for his protection upon each person’s
life among those involved. Many thanks go to Abundant Life Christian Fellowship
for the financial support that made this crusade a success and more so
for being available to be used of God. We owe gratitude to Pastor Ernest
Howie for leading the team and for allowing God to use him. We thank the
Pastors of Kitale for organizing the crusade and or their commitment to
follow-up the new converts. The sure encouragement for all who participated
is that your labour in Christ Jesus in not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
God Bless you all
All Notes & References
ALIM/HCCT-Uganda
Copyright © AbundantLifeNI.co.uk
-------------------------------------------------------------