Helping Church Leaders During The Pandemic, Part II

Kitale, Kenya. Richard Ondicho is a young Kenyan man I met 5 years ago at one of my Leadership Training Conferences (LTCs) in Eldoret. He is a professional singer who’s music is played on local radio stations. He came to faith in Jesus and followed the call of God to serve in ministry. He now sings for Jesus! After attending a few Truth Connect LTCs he was encouraged to preach and serve the people in northwest Kenya. COVID hit Kenya very hard and the people were locked down for nearly a year. In that time Richard’s mother became homeless. She is a widow. Richard asked if Truth Connect could help provide a home for her. With the generous help of a number of supporters, a piece of land was purchased and a home was built. Richard is so very thankful to you for helping him and his mother by your prayers and financial help. The home is a simple framed house with mud stuffed between the cross pieces but they are so happy and thankful. Even though Truth Connect cannot take a team to Africa, its ministry is still on going through the seeds sown in the hearts of leaders like Richard at our LTCs in previous years. This is what you have done! Your prayers and generous donations allow Truth Connect to invest in leaders like Richard who go and preach Jesus! 

                                                       Brother Richard & Dr. Don

                                          Richard's mother's house under construction.

                                                          Mud plastered walls.

                                            Richard and his mother at her new home.

Leadership Training Conference in Lumakanda, Kenya. October 17-18, 2019

Truth Connect conducted its third annual Leadership Training Conference (LTC) at Lumakanda Baptist Church, Lumakanda, Kenya.  Pastor Martin Shikuku organized the conference and Pastors Julius and Enosh were the hosts.  The two day conference served 66 church leaders.  Dr. Donald Schreier and Mr. Moses Colon were the conference trainers.  Mr. Colon taught verse by verse through the book of Ephesians.  Dr. Schreier taught on the importance of the local church and its leaders.  He also taught a session on the 4 steps to Bible study and exegesis. The leaders were very enthusiastic learners and participants. Truth Connect is committed to training church leaders so that they can better lead in the homes, churches and communities for the glory of God and the magnification of the name of Jesus Christ.

Leadership Training Conference, Lumakanda, Kenya.  October 17-18, 2019

Mr. Colon with host Pastor Enosh.

Each leader was registered for the LTC and given a booklet, pen and tablet.

Leaders listening and learning at the LTC.

Mr. Colon teaching with the help of his Swahili interpreter.

Local leaders at the LTC.

These godly ladies prepared lunch for the LTC participants each day.

She is making the best chapatis on an open fire for lunch.

Pastors practicing the 4 steps to Bible study: observe, interpret, correlate, apply.

This older pastor eagerly searching the Word of God - priceless!

Leaders fellowshipping at tea break.

The ladies who served tea pose proudly with their LTC certificates.

So happy to receive her LTC certificate from Mr. Colon and Dr. Schreier.

Pastor Shikuku, Dr. Schreier, Pastor Julius at the LTC conclusion.

Eldoret, Kenya Leadership Training October 2019

Truth Connect partnered with Glory Baptist Church, Eldoret, Kenya to provide a Leadership Training Conference (LTC) for local and foreign church leaders October 14-16, 2019. Pastor Martin Shikuku and his wife Anne hosted the training at their church. Dr. Donald Schreier and Mr. Moses Colon were the Truth Connect conference trainers. One hundred and twenty six leaders enjoyed three full days of training.  Mr. Colon taught the Epistle of Ephesians verse by verse -- this was very well received.  Dr. Schreier taught on the importance of the church and its leaders. The leaders were taught the four foundational steps to Bible study, broken into study groups and given a Bible passage to exegete.  This assignment was well received and leaders worked enthusiastically to accomplish the task.  At the conclusion to the training each participant received a Certificate of Participation. God was at work in the LTC and we give Him thanks and praise for His grace and blessings.

Pastor Martin & Anne Shikuku, Leadership Training Conference hosts.

Eldoret, Kenya Leadership Training Conference, October 14-16, 2019

Pastors listen and learn at LTC.

Mr. Moses Colon teaches the book of Ephesians.

Dr. Schreier teaches the importance of the church to uphold the truth of the gospel.

Pastors apply Bible study methods to exegete the Scriptures.

Church leader learning and growing at the LTC.

Leader receives his Certificate with pride from Dr. Schreier.

Dr. Schreier, Pastor Shikuku, Mr. Colon

Tanzanian church leaders apply Bible study principles at the LTC.

Jesus Love Ministry, Caring for Orphans in Kenya ~ October 2016

Truth Connect was in Kenya to teach leadership development in October 2016 (see previous posts).  While in Eldoret, Don and Karen visited with their friends at Jesus Love Ministry (JLM).  Bishop Wilson and Christine Kurui are the directors of JLM, a ministry that rescues and cares for abandoned and orphaned street children.  They currently care for about 80 children as young as a few weeks old to teenagers preparing to graduate from school.  Earlier this year, JLM was evicted from its leased property; this created a crisis.  Truth Connect presented the crisis to its ministry partners and was able raise funds that helped JLM relocate to its current site.  The ministry presently leases but hopes to purchase the property so it can have a permanent home.  JLM had a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration when Don & Karen visited them in October.  Truth Connect was careful to direct the praise and thanksgiving to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Provider and Sustainer for all that's done in his name.

The Jesus Love Ministry family.

Welcomed by the children who danced and recited Bible verses.

This young girl sang a beautiful song of welcome.

Karen holding "Angel" the abandoned little girl who was rescued from a pack of dogs.

Karen & Don cut ribbons and entered the children's new dormitories.

The children were very happy to show us their new dorms and beds.

The JLM kitchen prepared the celebration meal.

Wilson & Christine point at the adjacent property they would like to buy for JLM.  Please pray for JLM and their ministry with abandoned children.  It is a very good work!

Training Leaders in Kenya, October 2016

Truth Connect was in Kenya in October 2016 to train church leaders.  Glory Baptist Church (GBC) and Pastor Martin and Anne Shikuku were the Leadership Training Conference (LTC) host and hostess.  GBC is located just a few kilometers northwest of the city of Eldoret.  This was the first time Truth Connect conducted a LTC with GBC.  Approximately 80 leaders participated in the two day conference.  GBC also has a elementary school, an orphanage for children, and a Bible training school for church leaders.

Dr. Donald Schreier was the LTC teacher.  Pastor Alfred was his interpreter.  Don was accompanied by Karen, his wife, who helped with the logistics of the training and ministered to the children in the school.

2016 LTC participants at Glory Baptist Church, Eldoret, Kenya.  Pastor Martin Shikuku, conference host, is the first person seated in the lower right hand corner.

The church advertised in the community with these posters.

Don teaching LTC at Glory Baptist Church.

Approximately 80 church leaders attend the LTC.  

The leaders were enthusiastic learners and worked hard during the two day LTC.

Pastor Alfred was Dr. Don's interpreter.  He did an excellent job!

Karen made friends with the school children and encouraged them in their school work.

All  LTC participants receive a certificate of achievement.  

Kenya Leadership Training Conference 2014 Awards 248 Certificates!

Truth Connect concluded its 2014 Kenya Leadership Training Conference (LTC) by awarding 248 certificates of participation.  Church leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi attended the four day LTC in Langas, Eldoret, Kenya.  Word of Life Harvest Church (WLHC), led by Bishop Chris Luswetti, organized and hosted the LTC.  Truth Connect is very thankful for its partnership with Bishop Chris and WLHC.

Pastor Obed Maina read the names and certificates were awarded at the end of the LTC.

Dr. Pitkins congratulates this LTC participant.  LTC certificates are greatly prized and appreciated.

LTC participants proudly display the certificates. 

The women proudly show their certificates as Karen stands with them.

Youth leaders hold up their LTC certificates flanked by Dr. Don and Bishop Chris.

Kenya LTC 2014. Encouraging and Equipping Church Leaders

Truth Connect's mission is to encourage and equip church leaders to be disciple-makers where they live.  To fulfill this mission a team of four teachers traveled from the USA to Langas, Eldoret, Kenya in October 2014 for a Leadership Training Conference (LTC).  The theme of this year's LTC was "The Qualities of a Church Leader".  Mr. William Thomas taught on stewardship and its implication in every area of the leader's life and work.  Dr. David Pitkins illustrated good and bad leadership qualities from the lives of Bible characters.  Mrs. Karen Schreier encouraged women to live godly lives and the importance of the Christian home.  Dr. Donald Schreier taught on the qualities necessary for good church leadershi.  Each day approximately 250 church leaders gathered to worship, pray, and learn what the Bible says about Christian leadership.  It was an exciting week of learning and making new friends.

Church leaders listen carefully to principles of being a better leader.

Dr. Pitkins teaching the leadership principles of Elijah and Elisha through Swahili translator.

Mr. Bill Thomas teaching stewardship principles.

Leaders listened carefully, asked questions, and took notes.

Karen teaches through a Swahili translator the biblical principles of being a godly woman.

The women listened to Karen teach and asked many questions.

Mr. Bill Thomas illustrating his point as Wilson translates.

Dr. Don emphasizes the importance of integrity in leadership as Wilson translates into Swahili.