Pray for Kenya on Sunday, World Communion Sunday, October 7, 2012
Lectionary Selection: Mark 10: 2 – 16
Prayers for Kenya:
Creator God, thank you for reminding us of the importance of children in our society. We are grateful for the wonderful ways that children transform us to be better Christians.
Yet we know that children are one of the most endangered species in the world. Often they are used to fight wars that adults have started. Millions of children in Africa die before they reach the age of five from preventable diseases. We pray for the millions of children in Africa that are orphaned because of HIV/AIDS. Thank you for people all around the world that recognize and do every thing in their power to protect and care for our children. This we pray in the name of the one who fervently invoked a blessing on the children that came to him, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Mission Stewardship Moment from Kenya:
The Organization of African Instituted Churches, (OAIC) is a pan-African organization that works with independent churches throughout Africa. The OAIC has four main programs: Health, Theology Livelihoods and Justice Communities. I am working as the director of the Just Communities program. The Just Communities program works to raise the capacity of African independent churches and the communities they come from, to call to account the various institutions of society – the family, economy, politics, government, culture and others in order to evaluate them for how well they enable those they serve to live life in dignity.
Christ International Church is a member of the OAIC. Their headquarters is in Nigeria. Christ Church held a conference that brought together 3000 children. The theme of the conference was “Catch Them Young for Christ”. I serve as coordinator of a young adult volunteer program (YAV), where young adults volunteer for the year. One of the YAV young adults attended the children’s conference in Nigeria. The YAV said she had never experienced young children spontaneously praying, debating what it means to be a Christian in a secular world, and celebrating their faith like she experienced at this conference. She said the children transformed her and because of them she is committed to being a better Christian.
The children’s conference reminded me of just how important our children are and how they can transform society. This is what Jesus spoke of in the passage in our text. They are truly leaders with a big future.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Phyllis Byrd)
Video Resource about Kenya:
http://globalministries.org/resources/multimedia-resources/videos/video-mission-moments/nicta-lubaale.html
Global Ministries International Partners in Kenya:
All Africa Conference of Churches
National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK)
Presbyterian Church of East Africa
Programme for Christian Muslim Relations in Africa
St Paul’s United Theological College
More information on Kenya:
http://globalministries.org/africa/countries/kenya/
Global Ministries Missionary in Kenya:
Phyllis Byrd serves the Organization of African Instituted Churches and the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. She is jointly appointed by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Global Ministries. She works as the Director of the “Just Communities Program, of the Organization of Africa Instituted Churches. She is also supervisor/coordinator of Young Adult volunteers (post University) program of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, and facilitates assignments of Global Ministries short-term volunteers.