Arise & Shine

A PUBLICATION OF PARKLANDS BAPTIST CHURCH

Arise & Shine

JULY - SEPTEMBER 2014

     

Kshs. 400

Bone to Bone Can These Bones Live?

Prophesy to the Dry Bones A Vast Army Breathe Life PBC East Gate

In The Market Place

The PBC Mombasa Road branch settles in Embakasi

PLUS! Gospel on Wheels, Cultural Day Out, Movie Night, & so much more!

Foreword

by Rev. Simon Mwangi

R

evival Week is an annual event at Parklands Baptist Church whose aim is to bring back to life and/or restore our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It seeks to impact and transform not only the church but the community around as well.

It is a baptism, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a visitation, a re-awakening, stimulating the life and bringing it to the surface again!

This year, the theme we were running with was “Revival in the Valley” and it tied in with the larger PBC theme for 2014 which is

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“The Year of the Lords Breakthrough Realities” based on Ezekiel 37.

Preceded by 21-days of prayer and fasting, the Revival Week started on 21st July 2014 and ended on 27th July 2014.

The season was marked with many activities, a lot of joy and wonderful testimonies of God’s miraculous happenings in our lives. It was precious to us and the wonderful reports continue to reach us on what the Lord has done for many.

The Lord far exceeded our expectations from the first day as over 2,000 people attended service on a daily basis with the numbers soaring even higher as the weekend approached.

The congregation was alive in God’s presence and was extremely ecstatic during the worship, they were hungry for the word and eagerly fed on it, and during prayer they were in tears of joy in reverence for God. Sunday was the day of declaration and we had over 10,000 people on campus! An army! What a revival! God’s people were hungry and they flowed in unhindered and it was beyond explanation.

The sanctuary was full of the presence of God and there was a united awareness of His majesty, His glory and His holiness. What a delight! And we, just like the people in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, wondered “what is this?”

That was revival…a time of great joy, great thanksgiving, great praise, and the testimonies continue to flood in.

It’s for this reason that I take this opportunity to say ‘Thank You’ to this wonderful team that helped put together a special and memorable revival week. They were a great team and each went out of their way to do their best and, delivered way beyond our expectations. They gave of their time, their skills and resources and allowed for God to use them in a magnanimous way. What an excellent team they were!             

Benjamin Kivuva, Deacon PBC Eastgate Charles Ngereso, Pastoral Assist., Maturity Francis Mukusa, PDB Liaison Officer George Adede, Pastoral Assist., Worship Kathy Okumali, Communications Officer Muriuki Gitonga, Head of Operations Pst. Bern Otuma, Branch Pastor, East Gate Pst. Kevin Kung’u, Assistant Youth Pastor Pst. Reagan Akaliche, Worship Pastor Pst. Sammy Njoroge, House Group Pastor Pst. Susan Wanjira, Children’s Pastor Pst. Sylvester Achola, Youth Pastor Pst. Victor Kimani. Missions Pastor

To you and your teams - THANK YOU guys, you were awesome!

This Arise & Shine issue therefore seeks to bring you up to speed on all the sights and sounds of the week. But even as you connect, know that all this would not have been possible without the help of a great team that was in the background ensuring that everything went as smoothly as possible. They engaged in a lot of work…a lot of thinking, a lot of ideas, a lot of coordination, a lot of logistics …a lot! And we thank God for each of them!

Having started the planning in April 2014, they met frequently right up to three weeks after the final event.

Rev. Simon Mwangi is the Associate Pastor at Parklands Baptist Church www.parklandsbaptist.org

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Contents 35 29

21

15

43

9

features

go ye therefore

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Can These Bones Live?

Rev. Ambrose Nyangao

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Prophesy to the Dry Bones Pastor Othniel Mwabili

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Bone to Bone Pastor Jerrell Altic

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Ilchamus Mission Station Endo Mission Station Muranga Town Mission Station Lokitaung Mission Station PBC East Gate

engaging

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Breathe Life Bishop J.B. Masinde

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God’s Not Dead Movie Night

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A Vast Army Rev. Munengi Mulandi

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In The Market Place Dr. Wale Akinyemi

Community Outreach Children’s Ministry at North Highridge Primary School

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Unleashing the Army Pastor Jerrell Altic

International Cultural Day & Exhibitions

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Gospel on Wheels!

49 62

Declarations Rev. Simon Mwangi ON THE COVER A time of exciting celebration as members of Parklands Baptist Church wave their Kenyan flags in agreement with the declarations that were proclaimed on Sunday 27th July 2014.

Photograph: Elias Mwangi

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Arise & Shine Magazine 2014

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CONTRIBUTORS Rev. Ambrose Nyangao Pastor Othniel Mwabili Pastor Jerrell Altic Bishop J.B. Masinde Rev. Munengi Mulandi Dr. Wale Akinyemi Rev. Simon Mwangi Doreen Adundo Stanley Ahmadi Patrick Warutere Frederick Agesa Henry Ongola WRITERS Pauline Ndunge Nyambura Kung’u

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PHOTOGRAPHERS Elias Mwangi James Gitonga Steve Nyangao Bert Yates Suzy GOOD MORNING NAIROBI (used as Revival Week theme photo) © Click Pictureworks Africa Mwangi Kirubi

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DESIGN & LAYOUT Nyambura Kung’u PUBLISHING PBC Media Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the New International Version.

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Copyright 2014 Parklands Baptist Church All rights reserved No material from this issue may be copied, reproduced, or distributed without express written permission from the Parklands Baptist Church A Parklands Baptist Church Publication Arise & Shine | July-September 2014 | 5

Editorial

W

hat a week! Absolutely amazing, and that’s an understatement!

I’m still thoroughly excited at how it went and, even though very tired, still wishing for some more of it. That was the Revival Week here at Parklands Baptist Church!

Held between 21st and 27th July 2014, the weeks’ theme was Revival In The Valley with the scripture reference derived from Ezekiel 37:1-14. “Son of man, can these bones live?” was the question that was asked over and over again and the speakers did not disappoint.

With 21 days of prayer and fasting paving the way, the Revival Week was the culmination of an awesome time before the Lord, praying and interceding on behalf of this great nation of Kenya, as well as for the Church of God. So if you didn’t make it, I’m sorry to say this BUT, you missed! That’s right, you missed the wonderful fellowship, the beautiful worship, the exhilarating dancing, the stimulating sharing, the exploding prayer and the electrifying ambience.

And you certainly missed out on all the joy and laughter.

But never fret, here’s what we’ve done in this issue, we’ve captured it all for you.

Yes Sir, right in these pages are the sermons, the mission reviews, the ministry updates, the community outreach, the caravan, all of it! And in keeping with Arise & Shine’s “raison d’etre” the pictorials will blow you away! It’s like every single moment was captured!

So go on and flip through Arise & Shine, read all you can and connect, do not be left behind. And if you did come for the Revival Week, reconnect and while you’re at it, take a good look at the photos, you just might spot yourself!  Don’t forget to keep in touch with us at ariseandshine@parklandsbaptist.org Your feedback is of value to us. Enjoy!

For His glory!

Arise and Shine

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REV VAL IN THE

VALLEY Unleashing The Army Ezekiel 37:1-14

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Revival In The Valley

DAY ONE

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CAN THESE BONES LIVE? with Rev. Ambrose Nyangao

H

e asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

– Ezekiel 37:7

From the text above, we see God taking Prophet Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones and asking him whether the bones can live. Ezekiel, however, does not give the expected Yes/No answer. He turns the question back to God saying, “Sovereign Lord, You alone know.”

God does not ask this question because He doesn’t know the answer. Neither does He ask because He needs an answer. He already knows the answer.

What He wants to do with the dry bones had already been determined (see Ezekiel 37:22–38).

Most times, God does not ask questions because He needs an answer but because He wants to do something in your life.

God can ask a question in order to enable you to:  Locate yourself  Align yourself  Prepare yourself  Propel you to your destiny In Genesis 3:1-9, God visits the Garden of Eden just after the fall of man. Here, we find God asking Adam the question, “Where are you?” Adam, just like Prophet Ezekiel (and most of us), gives a very funny answer. He starts talking about how the woman God gave him led him astray. He is giving excuses for his shortcoming, instead of telling God where he is. God simply wants Adam to locate himself!

Most times God asks you a question because He wants to get you from where you are to where you are supposed to be.

In John 10:10, the scriptures say that Jesus came so we may have life. Jesus is the Word that shines in darkness, even though the darkness does not understand the light (see John 1:15-16).

Most times God asks you a question because He wants to get you from where you are to where you are supposed to be. He wants to lift you up so stop giving excuses!

After locating yourself, you need to align yourself with God’s purpose.

In Ezekiel 36:22-38, we see the great things God had purposed to do for Israel long before He consulted Ezekiel.

God knew what He wanted to do for you long before you were born. God’s Word is His promises over your life. God wants to do something new in your life but you need to keep declaring His promises continually.

Once you align yourself for God’s will, God will release your miracle.

In John 5:1-9, Jesus asks the man who was sick for 38 years, “Do you want to get well?” Again, the man does not say Yes or No. He starts explaining why he has not been able to dip himself into the pool to receive his healing. But Jesus commands him to pick up his mat and go, because his miracle has come.

Within 38 seconds, his 38 years of suffering are brought to an end.

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When God asks you a question, He is preparing you for a miracle. The miracle worker is right in front of you but He depends on you. God cannot carry the mat for you; you need to pick up your mat and walk because your healing has come.

When performing the miracle, Jesus is specific about the person He wants to raise up. This is why He says, “Lazarus, get up!” Imagine if he just walked to a cemetery and shouted, “Get up!” So many people would have resurrected that day.

God can also ask questions in order to propel you to your destiny.

When handling challenges, you need to identify them first and mention them by name.

In John 11:30, Jesus is asking Martha a question because He wants to raise her brother. When He asks, “Where have you buried him?”, He simply wants to raise Lazarus up.

What dead situation are you facing today? Where is that Lazarus you are facing? Call him by name and God will raise him up.

Rev. Ambrose Nyangao is the Senior Pastor at Parklands Baptist Church. www.parklandsbaptist.org

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was the team that led worship on Monday

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was the guest artist on Monday

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Mission Station: Ilchamus

“

My name is Doreen Adundo, I am a member of Parklands Baptist Church and I’m the missionary in charge of the Ilchamus Mission Station in Baringo County. I was born in Nairobi, became a member of Parklands Baptist Church as a child where I attended Sunday School and I got to learn about missions through the teachings that were there and the different activities that we used to have in Sunday School. I got my calling as a Sunday School child to be a missionary but forgot about it until much later on in my life. Later, after I had finished my university, then God reminded me again that He had called me to be a missionary.

Initially it was very hard. I had many challenges as a young lady going to live amongst the people who were not speaking my language. Edward Tamar, a teacher by profession and in charge of the church there, was the one who found me in Lake Baringo when I was trying to trace where the Ilchamus community was. Through the grace of God we made it and the door that He opened for me was to work with the children.

We started working with them in nursery school where we had a morning class that they used to come and learn the syllabus that the Kenya government has put in place for the nursery kids. Then on Sunday they used to meet at Sunday School where we used to teach them the word of God. After the Sunday School, we started having the main church where a few adults used to gather. At the beginning we were just 3 or 4 adults but we thank God that that is not the situation currently. Through the years and with the help of many partners - the locals, Parklands Baptist Church and other partners from abroad, we have made a lot of progress. Currently we have a fullfledged nursery school that has 120 pupils, we have a primary school that grew out of the nursery school that now has about 250 students, and we hope to start starting building the secondary school this year.

From the initial number of maybe 4 adults we are currently at about 40 adults attending the Sunday service each Sunday and we thank God for that.

With the help of partners also we have a guest house in Ilchamus that is able to accommodate 16 adults and other facilities that can make way for the young people if you come in big crowds.

We thank God for the

Ilchamus people who want to come and know more about the Lord. They are changing from a community that did not love the Lord to a community that is coming close and actually accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Not all of them have come to this point but because of the effects of those who have come we have seen the community change from being purely a pastoral community to involving other farming activities like growing of maize and other cereals, growing of beans and even fruits and this has really had a great impact on their economic situation.

Thus the situations that are there currently are not the same ones that we found on the ground in the year 2002.

The people are more interested in listening to the word of the Lord, they want to know how God can help them on a personal basis.

And for us that is a breakthrough. As you can see there’s still a lot of people who still do not know what Jesus can do or who Jesus is in their lives.

“…changing from a community that did not love the Lord to a community that is coming close and

actually accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior”

And so we are inviting you, with your talent, what you can do, to come and help us do mission work in the Ilchamus land because I believe there’s a place for every missionary in Ilchamus…you’re welcome!

”

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10

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Revival In The Valley

DAY TWO

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PROPHESY TO THE DRY BONES with Pastor Othniel Mwabili

W

hen I got married, we stayed without children for quite some time. We did a lot of waiting and prophesying, and on the 12th year our firstborn was born. While waiting for the fruit of the womb, God opened an opportunity for us to minister to childless couples, some of whom were blessed with children before us. Men who had been considered impotent and women declared infertile got to bear their own children.

Among them was a woman who had been without a child for the 31 years she had been married and in 2012 as the country was entering the Jubilee season, God blessed her with triplets.

We are still in the window of Jubilee. Jubilee is usually a three-year period but Kenya’s Jubilee will last for seven years. Just like the woman who bore triplets after 31 years of waiting, Jubilee is a season of triple fold blessing and triple fold manifestation of His goodness and favour and His grace. God is always gracious and makes all things beautiful in His time; He is doing something new in our nation.

In Ezekiel 37:4, God directs His prophet to prophesy to the dry bones that they may live. Ezekiel prophesies using the words that he has been given

by God, and this is what gives the bones life.

We are still in the window of Jubilee. Jubilee is usually a three-year period but Kenya’s Jubilee will last for seven years.

Prophesying is about declaring the Word of God as God says concerning the circumstances or situation that is before us. We are told that life and death are in the tongue (see Proverbs 18:21) and this is why we need to prophesy right. We need to declare shalom and ‘eirene’ over our lives. Eirene is a Greek word that stands for prosperity, health, wealth, welfare, wellbeing, well-fed, having nothing lacking, nothing missing and nothing broken. That is the will of God for our lives.

When God speaks about your life, it does not matter what is contending against it or militating against the Word. Neither does it matter what the circumstances look like because circumstances and things speak based on our personal experience. However, as long as the Word of God

has been spoken, all we need to do so that we can prophesy right is to declare the Word of God as God said it. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfil?” No word that comes from the mouth of God shall return void (See Isaiah 55:10-12).

The Bible says that the Word of God is life and light (Psalm 119:130). When the Word comes into our lives, it brings transformation and ushers us into that which God has ordained for us.

We are told that God has exalted His word high above all His name. He has made His word far more superior than Himself (See Psalm 138:2).

Therefore, when we allow His Word to fill our minds Arise & Shine | July-September 2014 | 15

and our hearts and then come out of our lips as He has spoken concerning our lives and families, our businesses and our children, then we are speaking in agreement with His Word and that becomes the spirit of prophesy.

Where the Word of God is, God is there. This is why we need to begin to declare and proclaim and prophesy the Word Jesus is the Word of God (Logos) and the Spirit of Christ is the spirit of prophesy. John chapter 1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (verses 1-5).

The verse in John chapter 1 says that the darkness cannot comprehend the light. The Greek word for comprehend is katalambano, which means that darkness cannot contend, grasp, or overcome the light; it is totally defeated by the light. Darkness does not disappear when light is in the house; it remains there but is overcome 100 percent.

Wherever light is, darkness must bow.

Therefore, when we come to a place where we can totally grasp what God has said and begin to declare it, we are guaranteed of 100 percent victory. All we need is for His Word to begin to operate and the moment the Word of the LORD is in operation, it totally overcomes all challenges; we do not need to ask God to take away the issues we are facing.

Where the Word of God is, God is there. This is why we need to begin to declare and proclaim and prophesy the Word. God spoke to Jeremiah and said, “I watch over my word to perform it” (chapter 1, verse 12). He is actively looking for His Word and if He finds it in your mouth He is going to fulfil it.

When you begin to declare the Word of the LORD, you must be persistent until your prophesied comes to pass. This is what Jesus taught us in Luke 11:5-9 when He talks about the man who went to borrow bread. The man got what he wanted (bread) because he had the spirit of importunity. We need importune people in God’s house to place a demand over that which God has said is theirs. It is important to prophesy persistently over situations and circumstances.

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Sometimes God takes us to some situations and circumstances so that we can prophesy and see Him do a new thing in that particular environment.

Sometimes God in His love allows us to enter into particular situations, experiences and things in life so that we can hear His Word and speak the Word into the environments so that His hand can be manifest and His power revealed.

It is the Spirit of God that took Ezekiel to the valley of dry bones. It is not the devil who took him there.

It is not a coincidence or accident that he went there. The hand of the LORD was upon him, and the LORD carried him to the valley of dry bones (See Ezekiel 37:1-2). So every time things seem to be going out of joint, it is an opportunity for you to prophesy and become a co-creator with God. God is giving you an opportunity to be a cocreator with Him. He is giving you an opportunity to speak His Word. Just allow the Word of God to come through your mouths so that you can be cocreators in the environment, season and time you are in.

As Christians, we like saying that God is good all the times; God is good and the devil is bad. There is no badness in God and there is no goodness in the devil. In life, there are things that God uses and there are others that He sends. There are times when the enemy instigates situations and circumstances. So if it is good, God sent it but if it is bad, the devil might have sent it but God will use it.

That is why in the life of a believer, everything works together for good because you are called according to His purposes. When you understand this, you will stand your ground and begin to prophesy and to speak the Word of God in the circumstances and situations until it is established.

Anytime there is a situation contrary to the will of God, understand that God has allowed it for a reason. He says that every perfect thing comes from Him, the Father of Light in whom there is no shadow of turning and no variableness (James 1:17). God will always send good things to your life but if you are in bad circumstances, God has allowed it for a reason. He is giving you an opportunity to declare His Word and see His power, glory, goodness and favour manifested.

We need to repent in this season of Jubilee so we can allow God to do a new thing in our lives.

Kenyans need to start declaring the Word of the LORD and see a new beginning emerge. The enemy knows that we are in the season of Jubilee and so he is up in arms against the body of Christ

and against the nation in an effort to scuttle the plans of God for the nation and for the believer.

We need to start speaking Shalom!

Can these bones live? Can a new thing begin?

Can there be renewal? Can there be rejuvenation? Can there be refreshment? Can we see the manifestation of God’s glory here? God gave Ezekiel the words to speak so that a new thing can emerge. As a believer, you should prophesy the Word of God over the nation until everything that God said concerning our city and nation is established.

Kenya has been known as a missionary sending nation, a father nation and a peaceful nation but people did not recognize that it was God who

brought the shalom and so they boasted about it.

We need to start speaking shalom. It doesn’t matter who rises up; if you prophesy, the bones are going to live because it is a season of new beginnings.

When you see all these attacks and dry looking circumstances, do not just sit back and say that we are finished or we are going to the dogs. We are not going to sit back and watch as the devil comes; we are going to declare war on the devil’s war and say that we have a powerful God and a powerful Word. We need to take our rightful places as people of God and speak the Word until things turn around. You are favoured, this church is favoured and the nation is favoured but the devil is not happy about it and that is why we need to keep prophesying.

Pastor Othniel Mwabili is the Senior Pastor at City Revival Temple.

was the team that led worship on Tuesday 

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was the guest artist on Tuesday

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“

Mission Station: Endo My name is Stanley Ahmadi. I’m a member of Parklands Baptist Church and currently I’m serving as a missionary in Endo, Marakwet East District in Elgeyo Marakwet County. When I received the call to serve among the Endo people, I knew it was not easy but God through His grace gave me the courage to go and serve among the Endo people.

I have been in Endo for the last 12 years and God has been really working in my life and in the lives of many people in Endo. What I have been doing in Endo basically is to reach out to the Endo people who were lost in sin by then and God has been using me to reach out to them. A number of them have been able to receive Christ and we continue to do discipleship, establishing bible studies, helping them to grow in their salvation. We have experienced people changing their lives and they’ve been able to grow spiritually and we thank God for that.

We started a Church there called Soko Bora Baptist Church, the place was known as Soko Mjinga initially but after God working and saving people in that area, we changed the name to Soko Bora and because of that, God directed me to open a Church that is now called Soko Bora Baptist Church.

The Church now has a membership of between 60 and 70 people and quite a number of children. And therefore this is where now my effort has been apart from moving from one place to another doing evangelism I’m also responsible for this great congregation, whereby I minister to them on a daily basis. Those who come for counseling, I’m available to help them with different issues that they’re going through.

Therefore this has not been something that I would say has been very easy but I thank God that this far He has brought us. Some of the challenges that we have been going through is you know when the Church is growing and as you continue to serve, they’re so many needs around you and people see you as somebody who is very important, somebody who is able to meet their needs, both spiritual and physical needs. And therefore they have been running to me as somebody who can really be there for them in every way.

Therefore it has not been easy and especially as a person, as an individual, I may not have all the people want. We have been trying to meet some of these needs.

Our partners actually, it has been Parklands Baptist Church – it is the Church that sent me to work among the Endo people and through the main ministry of Parklands Baptist Church they helped us build a Church that is not complete at the moment. We started building it in 2008 and I have done quite a bit of work on it but still it needs funds to help us complete the work that is remaining.

And therefore, other needs, the issue of having a Sunday school hall, and also we have a school which we are also working on it and we need classrooms and Endo has been fully depending on Parklands Baptist Church.

We believe that the support the Church has been giving us it has been able to enable us to move a step forward and we still expect a lot from Parklands Baptist Church to help this station so that as we exit we will be able to leave this place better than we found it.

This time the focus has always been discipleship as I earlier said that we need to help these people grow. And this area was not favorable. It was one of the areas that had so many issues, the issue of cattle rustling, people coming from time to time stealing and killing people. I expect Soko Bora Baptist Church to plant more churches among the Endo people and even the entire District.

This is the station that has been there for many years, more than any other mission station and I challenge Parklands Baptist Church because it has been our sponsor and I want to request that they continue to help this station and that is my pPrayer for Parklands and even for the people among the Endo people that one day we will stand before the Lord and rejoice together with those God has helped us to reach out to them and we will be able to say this is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.

So thank you for helping us and thank you for being a blessing to me personally and to the Endo people.

May God richly bless Parklands Baptist Church and the people in Endo.

”

Thank you.

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Revival In The Valley

DAY THREE

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BONE TO BONE with Pastor Jerrell Altic Ezekiel had a call he could not fulfill; he was destined to be a priest in the temple but God was preparing him to be a prophet to the children of Israel who were in exile.

Ezekiel 37:5 says, “This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.”

Faith comes by hearing the word of the LORD, so we have to preach the Word so that people can hear it.

Therefore, faith is active preaching. This is why we don’t preach once, twice or thrice; we keep on preaching the Word of the Lord so that people may believe in the Lord.

Perhaps you’ve never heard the word. Maybe you feel broken, but this day you are hearing the word. You need to realize that Jesus came for those who are broken. He didn’t come for the healthy; He came for the sick. He didn’t come for the living; He came for the dead. He lived, He died and He defeated sin, hell and the grave so that you and I can believe and live.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is a God who knows how to move heaven and earth. He knows how to create, restore, and bring life; He is the resurrection and the life. The Ezekiel story is foretelling that you and I are a part of the resurrection to come. This body and life will pass away but there is coming a day when those who are dead in Christ will rise. There’s coming a day that we shall be with the King of Glory singing around the throne. That day, we will be talking one language.

Are you ready for that day? Believers are ready for that day, and it’s already breaking in – when we pray, praise and worship, we join the angels in heaven. It is already happening in part but soon we shall eventually see in full.

For those who don’t believe, you need to start believing because God knows how to take bone and create life.

In the Garden of Eden, God created the world and everything was awesome. Then He breathed out on the dust of the earth and created man. Then He took a bone from the side (rib bone) and created a woman.

So as we look over a valley of dry bones as Ezekiel did in the scriptures, let us remember that our God can take a bone and create a life.

Are you mixed up? Do you feel like your life is in shambles? Do you feel broken - like life is not making sense? The bones that Ezekiel saw were not lined up; they were everywhere. It was not one, not two but many bones that were dry and mixed up. But our God knows how to bring order to disorder. He knows how to take a rib and create life.

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Some of you need to realize that you are dry and broken and that things are mixed up because unless you realize that you are dead, you never realize the need to come to life. The way of sin really leads to death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (See Romans 6:23).

As Ezekiel was prophesying, he started to hear a rattling sound as God gathered the bones, bone to bone.

Some of you are already hearing the rattling sound. You want to hold onto the world even though you know there is something better.

You want to hold on to the old but know there is something new. In your heart there is noise; that is the noise of God as He brings things together in your life.

The enemy wants to bring things apart but God wants to bring them together. The enemy wants to destroy your life but God wants to bring out life out of shambles. He is bringing your bones together. His physical healing in your life is a greater picture of the spiritual healing He’s going to bring into your life. The rattling sound you hear is the sound of bones coming together.

God brings life back together in an instant. When He breathes, life comes immediately.

I have travelled around the world and as I look at people, I see fear. People are looking for peace. Probably you are looking for peace.

Jesus brings peace to chaos.

When rattling begins, let God have his way in your life. If all other things have failed you up to this day, leave those things and come to the God who saves.

God created Eve out of a bone. Then He breathed into her and she became alive. His Word, the power of the Holy Spirit is the one that brings the bones together. The Holy Spirit

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wants to breathe into you for the life of Jesus Christ to come. In areas of your life that are dry, Jesus wants to bring healing.

The woman in Mark 5 was sick for 12 years and during that time, she was not allowed to go near the temple. She had to tell everybody that she was unclean and nobody went near her. But she had heard about Jesus’ healing and so she made her way to Him, touched Him and was healed in an instant.

God brings life back together in an instant.

When He breathes, life comes immediately.

The woman in Mark 5 got not only healing, but a new name. Jesus is not merely going to give you life; He also wants to give you a new name. He wants to save you so you can go and get more people to believe and experience the power of the Gospel. He wants us to be free and whole so that we can freely proclaim the whole Gospel.

Are you walking in the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit just requires an instance to breathe into you. If there is rattling in your life, you need to come out and say, “other things have been my king but I want to make Jesus my king.”

Take that step of faith and believe in Jesus, and a new life will come into you.

If you are a believer but still trapped by some things - a behavior that is controlling you- join hands with other believers and make up the body of Christ. He says call unto me and I will answer.

God is speaking to bring order to your life and you’ve got to respond.

When you are free, you are exempted from external control; we want to be people controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Jerrell Altic is the Minister of Mobilization at Houston’s First Baptist Church. www.houstonsfirst.org

was the team that led worship on Wednesday

was the guest artist on Wednesday

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Mission Station: Murang’a Town

“

Muranga county is one of the counties of Kenya’s former Central Province. It constitutes 7 constituencies and has a population of approximately 942,581.

Parklands Baptist Church in Nairobi’s Westlands discovered that Muranga county was in need of the Word of God and of this reason, they embarked on a mission to plant a Church in Muranga for the community around to know who God is.

My name is Patrick Warutere and I’m the missionary pastor at Muranga Mission Station.

Muranga Mission Station is a mission station of Parklands Baptist Church and it was started in the year 2005.

It’s main focus is to ignite great commission churches across the greater Muranga region. So far, by God’s grace, we’ve been able to start 7 churches among them Yakarengo Joy Baptist Church, Nyakahura Baptist Church, Karuhia Baptist Church, Kaberua Baptist Church, Maragua Ridge Baptist Church and the newest one incorporated is Nginda Baptist Church.

Muranga Town Baptist Church is one of the church plants that serves as a mustard seed and also a coordination centre of the entire church planting work. Our focus is to reach those who are 0 to 35 years, mainly the young people, especially because of the hopelessness displayed in their involvement in drugs and in alcoholism.

“My name is Esther Wacera Mwangi, I joined this church in 2008. I didn’t think that I could lead in a church but now currently I’m the Youth President of this church and also I’m leading in Maturity Department. We are launching more ministries under youth like now we have excandidates, we have the young professionals, and I thank God for everything that is happening in this church.”

We are challenged to keep designing new ways of reaching the young people and some of the activities we do are big evangelistic music concerts to reach many.

“Hello, my name is Pauline Mureithi, I’m the missionary pastors wife. We have started a feeding program whereby we’ll be feeding the kids from the slum.

We’re also running a rehab centre currently in Muranga Town Baptist where we are rehabilitating the alcoholics. Just like Jesus told us that we need to be His feet, we need to be His mouth, we need to be His hands. So that’s what we hope to do as Muranga Town Baptist Church, be the feet, the mouth, and just represent Jesus in the community.”

”

We invite you to pray with us and to join us in the harvest field by coming to visit with us and also praying for this field as the Lord would have you.

Thank you so much may the Lord bless you.

“It’s main focus is to ignite great commission

churches across the greater Muranga region.”

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Revival In The Valley

DAY FOUR

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BREATHE LIFE with Bishop J.B. Masinde

W

hen you look at someone who has just passed on, it is very hard to tell that they indeed are dead. Their bodies might just be as warm, looking fine and very much alive, yet the basic elements of life are missing in them. In fact, you might just think they are sleeping until a doctor explains to you!

This is the same thing that happened to the bones that Ezekiel was prophesying to. At first, the bones were very dry. Then he prophesied to them, and they came together bone to bone, tendon to tendon and were covered with skin. However, the bones were still dead.

They did not have any life in them (See Ezekiel 37:8). In those bones was a vast army of the Lord but without life, it was ineffective. God’s prophet had to call breath from the four winds to breathe into the bones so they may live (verse 9-10).

In the nation of Kenya, we have an army but the army has not been effective. The army is ineffective because something is missing. Jesus tells the church in Sardis, “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (See Revelations 3:1). This is what is happening to the church in Kenya. It has a name that is alive, but its effectiveness, power and vitality is not being felt; it has become like an army that is lying in the valley.

When we prophesy to the Holy Spirit, we are simply telling Him to come and make us alive.

The Holy Spirit comes to make us the witnesses of Jesus (Acts 1:8). He gives you the capacity to carry Jesus’ life everywhere you go. That life in turn brings light to the community you live in; it makes you a fire brand. For this reason, you must take the fire you receive in church beyond the boundaries to affect the life of the entire community.

When we prophesy to the Holy Spirit, we are simply telling Him to come and make us alive.

The history of this country has been shaped by prayer.

The 1982 coup happened on a Sunday. As the events unfolded, a curfew was put into force. Even Christians could not go to church, but that did not prevent them from praying. They gathered for prayer within their neighborhoods and within two hours, things started to fall

into place; it took Christians united in prayer to change the course of history that day.

One of our limitations is that we have made Christianity like a religion of experts. We have created experts in witnessing, praying, giving and fasting, without realizing that these roles are for everybody.

The reason we are experiencing so many problems in the country is because we have left prayer to a special group of people.

We have taken power from the hands of the believers for monetary gain, so that others may pay us for prayers and intercession. We have made Christians to depend on pastors, apostles, bishops and prophets for prayer. In Exodus 18:19, God wants the people to go up the mountain to meet with Him. But when they see His glory, they turn back and appoint Moses to be their mediator.

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Him a tabernacle so He can dwell among them (Exodus 25:8).

Professional preacher was not God’s idea; He wants to dwell among us, work through us and minister through us.

The problems we are facing cannot be solved by a man but when we leave prayer to a few people, we emasculate the church. We need to prophesy to the Spirit of God to fill the church once again so they may pray for the nation. When we do this, Kenya shall be saved.

God wants to heal our nation, our city, our economy and politics. But we have to humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways (See 2 Chronicles 7:14).

Christianity cannot thrive where there is chaos. We need peace and you have the key.

That is why we need to pray for those in authority. It doesn’t matter whether they are good or bad. Do not say because you did not vote for those in authority, you won’t pray for them. Kings are not voted; they are born.

It is your imperative as a Christian to pray for the president, your boss and others in authority because this pleases God (See 1 Timothy 2:1-4).

If there is peace in the country, you are also at peace. If the company (you work for) does well, you get a promotion; if your boss goes bankrupt, you lose your job.

When intercessors stop praying, the gap between God and His people widens. Intercession is not for angels, but for His people (See Ezekiel 22:29-30). When there is a gap between you and God, the enemy begins to circle you.

But we have a weakness in that we do not know what we ought to pray for. In Ezekiel, God directs His prophet to prophesy so the wind may come from the four corners and breathe life on the dry bones. Romans 8:26-27 tells us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness. If you want to pray effectively, you need to get the Holy Spirit. He understands the language of God.

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As long as we are on earth, challenges will never end.

Jesus is always praying for us; interceding is the ministry of the Holy Spirit and Jesus (See Romans 8:34).

God wants to heal our nation, our city, our economy and politics. But we have to humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways.

Queen Esther took it upon herself to intercede for her people, the nation of Israel (See Esther 4:14). Maybe you became a Christian for a time like this. Maybe you were born in Kenya for a time like this, when gunmen are carrying out attacks in churches. If you fail in your role as an intercessor, you also perish with the church.

We need to get to a place where we do not need security screening while entering churches and shopping malls; it’s possible through prayer. The money we are using on sniffer dogs and security apparatus should go to missions. The same way God sent His angel to rescue Peter in Acts 12:6-7, He will also send an angel as an answer to your prayer. For Kenya’s sake, don’t keep silent. For your county’s sake, don’t remain quiet (See Isaiah 62:1). God can save a city because of 10 righteous men.

Start now; select any day of the week and dedicate it to prayer and fasting.

Bishop J.B. Masinde is the Senior Pastor and founder of Deliverance Church Umoja. www.dcumoja.org

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were the guest artists on Thursday

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Praying for the Women

“

with Sarah Kabutha “Father I want to thank you for all these women here. God I pray a special blessing for each and every woman who is here. God I thank you because every woman who has come here today has a value that is immeasurable that cannot be measured by anything. And I thank you God because every woman’s value is not because of anything she has done or anything she will ever do but is just the fact that you love her.

And that you created her with a purpose and that she is precious, and honored and loved because you created her. And God I pray if there is any woman here who looks for her value in anything else than you that she will see you tonight. That she will not look for her value in a man, or in having children, or in having a good job but that God she would see that just by being who she is, she’s valuable. And so God I thank you, I pray a covering over each and every woman here, I pray that they would guard their hearts, I pray that they would guard their minds, I pray that they would guard their bodies. God I pray for any woman who feels stuck, who feels like she cannot move forward and does not have freedom in the life that she’s living. God whether it is a choice that she has made, or whether something has happened to her in her life, God I pray freedom and release to each woman here today in the name of Jesus. God I pray that the devil will not get to any woman’s mind here and tell them that they are not worth anything or they cannot move forward or they cannot be free from whatever it is that has bound them and I pray release in the name of Jesus. I pray that every woman here would take time to know you, to build a relationship with you because its only you Jesus that can set them free. So I thank you Lord that you have come for us, that you love us, that you died on the cross for us. And that we can find freedom, we cannot stay in the valley but we can get to the mountain top because of you. Lord I pray for wisdom for all the women here, I pray for courage in whatever they’re going through. God I pray that they would feel you embracing them in a special way, walking with them that they will know that you have promised them never to leave them or forsake them but that you would walk with them each and every day.

So I thank you for the women, I pray a blessing upon them. I pray that they will not leave here the same as when they came but they will leave these doors free and having found new hope in you. In Jesus name I pray.” Amen!

“…blessing the men and women of God”

Praying for the Men with Victor Kabutha “Father I want to thank you because these men were made by your hand. And Father your word was powerful enough spoken that you could have said ‘let there be men’ but you said ‘let us make’. And once you picked up that clay, Lord you breathed life into us as men. And so we’re calling forth that breath upon these men that you have invested. Bless these men! Lord we know that the devil is after men, he wants to kill men. And tonight we speak life into our men. Father young and old, bring forth life.

Even as we’re talking about dry bones, Father these are the soldiers of the Lord standing, I pray that you bless them! Draw them near to you Lord that they will come into a knowledge of who you are and even coming into that knowledge, grow in fellowship with you. Father we speak a blessing upon these men. We speak a blessing upon the families that they represent, the businesses that they represent, the institutions that they represent, Father may they be faithful stewards because you have already invested in them. So men, we breathe life into you, we bless you, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Amen!

”

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Revival In The Valley

Day FIVE

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A VAST ARMY with Rev. Munengi Mulandi

O

ne of my favorite movies is “Operation Thunderbolt” that is centered on the rescue mission of a hijacked Israeli plane. The plane is taken to Uganda but the Israeli army does not await the go-ahead to strike; they go to Entebbe and in 90 minutes they leave with their people.

An army, whether in the barracks or in battle behaves in a manner that reflects their knowledge of their Commander-in-Chief. If an army knows that their backing is secure, they go forth in strength and discipline.

My first encounter with the book of Ezekiel was through a Gospel song by Gospel Fathers.

Throughout the book of Ezekiel, God reveals His Sovereignty.

After assembling the dry bones in Ezekiel 37, they become a vast army. I always wondered why God did not reveal to Ezekiel that these bones would be a great sheep with a great shepherd. The scriptures neither say “a congregation” or “assembly of Holy Spirit-filled believers”, but “an army”.

In this Chapter (Ezekiel 37), God wants us to know that He is:  Sovereign  Supernatural  Dispenser of Special Grace God is Sovereign A president of a country may be the head of the Executive, but Parliament passes the law- even the undesirable ones – and there is also the Judiciary and the Fourth Estate who influence public opinion. In such a situation, the President has a hard time commanding the army but not so my God. In terms of information, He is the Fourth Estate. In terms of Judiciary, He is the Just Judge. In terms of Parliament, He gave the law. In terms of Executive, the Bible says “He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: ‘What have you done?’ (See Daniel 4:35). He does things only after the counsel of His own will because He is in full control.

When you are in the army and realize that the one directing you is not looking for popularity, that he is sovereign, you can march forth.

Do you know God from this light? When he was seeing the vision of dry bones, Prophet Ezekiel knew this kind of

God. And when the army woke up, they realized there was no consultation on their being revived.

When Ezekiel was led into the valley of dry bones, He says the Hand of the Lord was upon Him. When asked whether the bones could live, he said, “Sovereign Lord, You alone know” (see Ezekiel 37:3).

Do you know God from this light?

God is in charge one and in terms of knowledge, He alone knows.

When we are faced with security threats such as the Al Shabaab, we ought to call on God because He knows.

One time I was arrested driving at 60km/h at a zone of 50km/h. We were taken before the magistrate, and someone told us to that if we plead our case we would be set free. We hatched a plan to roll on the floor and cry, but then I realized having a magistrate who is good enough is not good enough. If a magistrate can be influenced by rolling on the floor, so can the policeman who caught you.

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Our God cannot be moved; He is Sovereign. When He sits on the throne, He is not consulting; He is not manipulated by emotion. His law and His ruling is just.

If you know that kind of God, then it will affect how you serve as an army person. Your desire will not be to please people; you will go with the attitude, ‘am backed by a Sovereign God’.

God is not only Sovereign, but also Supernatural He is a God of supernatural phenomena. However, you need to understand that there is nothing miraculous about the vastness of the army in Ezekiel 37 because the bones were also many.

However, there are a number of miraculous phenomena happening back to back in this scripture such as prophesying to bones that are very dry. They have been exposed for such a long time they look hopeless and deplorable.

One thing you need to know is that it was deplorable to leave dead bodies unburied, unwashed and unwrapped. Therefore, this vision means that the people of God had been completely vanquished. Those who were killed were just laid in a valley. People did not have strength to come and bury their dead; they were all dead and scattered on the grounds.

And the people who know their God shall be strong and do great exploits.”

Daniel 11:2 When the prophet of God prophesies to them, there is a rattling sound and then the bones come together, and later skin covers them. By this time, they are fully human though dead. Then Ezekiel is told to prophesy and breath comes into them.

This is not the first time God is doing such kind of miracle; Eve was also made from a bone. Ezekiel was not doing a trial; God had already done it before.

However, there was something superior in this miracle; the bone that was taken out of Adam was not very dry as the bones in Ezekiel. The bones come together because he had prophesied to them. God does supernatural things because He is able. This supernatural power should reflect in the way we live.

Then the last miracle happens when the bones stand up on their feet.

A miracle can be defined as God’s intervention in the affairs of men where He sets aside His own laws and invokes new ones.

When an army knows that he is sovereign and supernatural, there is a certain fashion in which they go.

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Daniel 11:2 says, “And the people who know their God shall be strong and do great exploits.”

God wants us to know Him and do great exploits.

When I see us as an army defeated or disintegrated before war, then I think perhaps we don’t know our God. God is a Dispenser of Special Grace The condition of the Israelites was dire; they had enemies left and right. They had been ravaged by Egypt, Assyria and Babylon by the close of the Old Testament.

Making the bones in Ezekiel 37 to come together, covering them with skin and making them to stand up was a miracle, but it took a special grace to make them an army.

God had judged His people for their sins and had brought the Assyrians, Babylonians and Egyptians as a judgment to His own people. But by His special grace, He did not only bring the people who had died back to life, but also made them an army.

For them to be raised up from being despised, they had to be made an army through a special grace (See Isaiah 36:8). This is the same grace Paul speaks about in Ephesians 2:9-10.

Grace is when God moves in to make people who have sinned against Him, people who have been despised, into an army.

We serve a God who calls things that are not as if they were. He called Gideon, the least in his family, to be a mighty warrior. He calls bones through His prophet to be an army.

…rise up and realize who our God is especially in the city of Nairobi…

If God is calling you and you have despised yourself and your calling because of the things you have involved yourself in, some of them willingly like sin of the Israelites, today He is calling you ‘mighty warrior’.

However, you need to remember that He did not look at someone and say, “You army man”. The many bones became a vast army and therefore this message is not for individuasl but for us as the body of Christ to rise up and realize who our God is especially in the city of Nairobi for Kenya at such a time like this. Let us go and wail in the presence of God as an army that knows that our God is seated on the throne, Sovereign and that He is supernatural.

If you realize that you are one of the dry bones who becomes human, you will serve Him humble, respectful and confident.

We should gather ourselves as an army so that when people look at us, they can know that we serve a God who is sovereign, supernatural, and a dispenser of special grace.

Psalm 2:8 says, “Ask of the nations as an inheritance and I shall give them to you.”

God has used various churches to do different things; could He be speaking to you?

Rev. Munengi Mulandi is the Area Executive Director at Biblica Inc. He is also the owner and lead Consultant at Ovaa International www.biblica.com

Not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:9-10

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were the team that led worship on Friday

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was the guest artist on Friday

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Mission Station: Lokitaung

“

I am Henry Ongola (with Fredrick Agesa), a member of Parklands Baptist Church, serving as a missionary in Turkana, based at Lokitaung. It’s a great thing which we’ve seen as a body of Christ, Parklands Baptist Church together with its partners doing to the people of Turkana.

The community has opened and we used that opportunity to reach them out, minister unto them, because most of the time ministry is quite rare in distant areas.

In terms of education, we have sponsored a number of students. Right now we have in high school 17 students whom we are catering for and they’re doing well. We’re getting updates from the schools and they’re also thankful for the effort which we are doing.

The establishment of the greenhouse also did us good because in Lokitaung there were no greens you could not find vegetables and now vegetables are accessible and many people who were not used to vegetables are now feeding on vegetables. “ninajua kwamba kuna mafanyikio tutakapo endelea kukuza mimea ambayo ina kubalika katika area hii. Mimea kama kunde, nyanya, spinach na pia kuna vitu vingi ambaye tulikuwa hatuelewi kama inaweza kukuwa pande hii vyema hivyo tunaona itatufaidi na itafaidi watoto wetu pia.”

It’s our call now, to the church and to support, maybe sending teams to join us minister in crusades, minister in door-to-doors, reaching remote areas so that each and every part of Turkana may receive the light of the gospel “kazi hii, ni kazi ambaye ni ya mungu na itaendelea mbele na tunaona ya kwamba tukikumbuka jinsi venye tumeungana namna hii, tunaona kwamba Mungu mwenyewe ataijidhirisha”

”

“God is making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19

Henry Ongola & Fredrick Agesa

“It’s a great thing which we’ve seen as a body of Christ - Parklands Baptist Church together with its partners -

doing to the people of Turkana.”

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

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Revival In The Valley

Day SIX

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In The Market PLACE with Dr. Wale Akinyemi

A

lot of people think there is a bias out there against Christians but there is a bias against mediocrity. Mediocrity cannot take the market place.

Henry Ford said he would not ask his customers what they wanted because if he asked, they would have said they wanted faster horses not cars. Then they would have had to sit round the table developing a mechanism for faster horses, then set up a subcommittee to develop food for faster horses, another for saddles and another on hoofs for faster horses. Then they would have called a VVVIP to inaugurate the faster horse programme and while he is in the faster horse, suddenly a car would drive past him effortlessly. They would have spent all the resources generating ideas around faster horses.

The first question you need to ask yourself is; what is the age of your ideas?

My father is a medical doctor who studied medicine and graduated in 1966. If he was practicing medicine today with the knowledge of 1966, he would be a serial killer. It is only relevant ideas that would take the marketplace.

But how far are you thinking?

The Egyptian pyramids have been known for over 3800 years as the tallest man-made structures. Blackwall Tunnel in London was commissioned in 1897 going under the River Thames. In 2011, celebrations were held to mark 200 years since the master plan of the Manhattan New York was drawn. The plan had roads in an era when most people were riding horses. This brings us to the three types of people I speak about in the book “Mental Independence”.

What is the age of your ideas?

The first category of people is those whose brains die before they die. In their lifetime, these people literally walk around as brainless people. Another category is of those whose brains die with them. Their brains are as good as new, and so were it possible to sell their brains, they would fetch a very high second hand value. Then there is this category of those whose brains never die, such as Albert Einstein, William Shakespeare, Steve Jobs, Paul the Apostle, Joseph of the Bible. So, what is the life expectancy of your brain?

God will give you ideas that eyes have not seen or ears heard (See I Corinthians 2:9-10). Unfortunately, many Christians take solitude in multitudes. When God gives them ideas, they start looking around for those who have done it before. If we are going to take the marketplace, we got to have mental independence.

Economic independence is impossible without mental independence because without mental independence, the best you can be is a copy-cat.

God gave you the key for the marketplace, and that key is His anointing. The anointing stands on two legs – power and wisdom (See I Corinthians 1:22-24). A church that focuses on the power dynamic of the anointing will not have too much effect in the marketplace. When people see demons cast out, they ridicule it but when wisdom shows up, they have no answer. Therefore we must understand the wisdom dynamic of anointing.

The fruits of wisdom are workmanship (Exodus 31:3), to make (Exodus 31:6), to work (Exodus 35:35), to know how to work (Exodus 36:1). Whenever wisdom is mentioned in the Bible, it was always to produce something.

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wisdom (see I Kings 4:29-34). If he was living today, he would be a consultant. It was his wisdom that brought him income (see 2 Chronicles 9:13-14).

When you receive wisdom from God, you must receive a conversion power to create something. Consider this: A cocoa farmer in Cote D’Ivoire sells one ton of cocoa for about 2400 dollars. When this cocoa is exported to Switzerland, it is converted into chocolate and sold at 19,000 dollars a ton. Wisdom converts cocoa into chocolate, and that brings the difference.

When you receive wisdom from God, you have a corresponding conversion power. The scripture must be converted into something. Some Christians take the word and consume it, while others take it and process it. Those who listen as processors go and come back with testimonies, while the consumers of the Word come back wondering why they do not have testimonies.

Wisdom always produces something and the Word of God is wisdom. My company, ‘Power Talks’ was inspired by the words of Ecclesiastes 8:4 which says, “Where the word of a king is, there is power.” I also started a publishing company because Psalm 68:11 says, “The Lord gave the word: great [was] the company of those that published [it] (KJV).”

When you hear the scriptures, don’t hear as a consumer but as a processor. This is because you cannot rise beyond the converting power that works within you.

When you look around at companies that are at the forefront, you will find that they have taken information that was available to everyone and converted it.

Unfortunately, what a lot of people have is information; they have become constipated because they have no conversion power to release the information.

Every time am listening or reading, am writing notes and processing the information. After every chapter, I stop to make my own original thoughts from what I read and then develop a training programme and put a tag on it. Books are like fertilizer; when you pour fertilizer on the ground, even the things you did not plant grow. Therefore the more you read, the more ideas and thoughts will begin to spring up. If you are going to take the marketplace, you will have to read the Word of God and convert it. Every word you hear must become a physical, tangible reality (See John 1:14).

People should look at you and see what the hand of the Lord has done for you (See Isaiah 41:20). You must convert the Word that you have been hearing. If it cannot be seen, you have not converted yet.

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Wisdom helped Jesus to grow mentally, physically, spiritually and socially (See Luke 2:52). He grew in wisdom by listening and asking questions (See Luke 2:41-46). He had thirst for knowledge from a tender age (12 years). You may not have access to all doctors and teachers, but you have access to their books. If you want to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, you will read the Word of God with a conversion mentality. You will use that wisdom to solve problems like Joseph did when there was famine in the entire world. If Jesus needed to grow in favour and wisdom, you have no excuse.

Wisdom always produces something and the Word of God is wisdom.

One of the things that wisdom does is to solve problems. When David was anointed as king, he went straight to the sheepfold. It was while he was tending the sheep that the king developed a bout of insomnia and David had to be called to play him the harp.

That’s how he ended up in the palace. Even though he was anointed, his anointing alone could not take him to the palace. What took him to the palace was the anointing working on his skill. When you grab a hold of God’s wisdom, you will never be intimidated by problems.

Wisdom also opens eyes to opportunities. No opportunity comes to the earth with an owner; they are meant to be grabbed. Get the wisdom of God and go grab opportunities.

Dr. Wale Akinyemi is a business strategist, consultant, author, inspirational speaker and leading newspaper columnist. www.powertalks.biz

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

was the team that led worship on Saturday

was one of the guest artists on Saturday

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was one of the guest artists on Saturday

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Revival In The Valley

DAY SEVEN

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Unleashing The ARMY with Pastor Jerrell Altic

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n Ezekiel 37, the bones are spread apart and as the prophet of the Lord is prophesying, there is a rattling sound. Bones then come together, followed by tendons but there is no breathe in the body. God commands the prophet to call breathe to enter into the bones, and eventually they are alive. However, there is another piece that is missing – blood of the Lamb (See Revelation 5:9-10).

What the body needs in the grave is the filling of the blood of Jesus Christ over your sin, for He sent His son so that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (See John 3:15).

Our God knows what it is like to overcome sin, death and things that come up against us. All of us have gone through a valley in our lives but Jesus Christ knows how to bring victory out of the valley.

Some of you who are outside the valley still remember what it was like in the valley, when you were dead in your trespasses.

Some of you are still in the valley - life is in shambles, bones are scattered everywhere and nothing seems to be making sense. Jesus Christ will walk into the valley and He will take everything that is out of order and put it into order. He will take everything that doesn’t have life and bring it into life for He is the resurrection and the life (See John 11:25).

Believe in Christ now because He knows how to bring victory in the valley If you make Jesus the King of your life today, you will have eternal life in heaven with Him. Perhaps you have abandoned God and have dug your own wells like Israel in Jeremiah 2:13.

Perhaps you are still dead and struggling in the valley, but Jesus is coming for you now. The power of the Holy Spirit will forgive your sins and you will receive eternal life if you believe.

This is the time for you to believe and receive the fullness of God and salvation in your life. Come and believe and receive the redemption that I have received and believed for there is a people that is vast, but the gospel is even more vast to reach into your heart.

Our God knows what it is like to get into the valley.

Believe in Christ now because He knows how to bring victory in the valley.

If you have not yet believed in Jesus, start believing now. This is your time to say, “I need Jesus, I need salvation, I need the power of God to save my situation.”

A doctor can bring your bones together, but nothing can cause the blood of Jesus to flow in your life except you calling out to Him and trusting upon Him. If you lean on Jesus and cry out to Him to save you, you begin to believe differently. You begin to pray differently. Your family will come together because when our God saves, He saves all the way.

Whether you are dealing with depression, addiction or any other struggle, Jesus is the answer. All of you who are thirsty come and believe; come and receive.

If you do not know what to pray, say these words, “Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I need you to come into my life and forgive me of all of my sins. Fill me with your Spirit. You are King and I follow you. You are the resurrection and the life. I commit my life to you. Fill me up Jesus. My life will never been the same again in Jesus name. Amen!”

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was the team that led worship on Sunday 50 | July-September 2014 | Arise & Shine

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ouston’s First Baptist Church came to Kenya…and they came to Parklands Baptist Church!

Led by Pastor Jerrell Altic and their Minister of Worship & Arts, John Bolin, the 150 strong choir and orchestra ministered powerfully to the ‘Parkie’ family on 27th July 2014.

Articulating that they had come to share an experience with us, the ensemble led worship with hymns and choruses like “On The Banks of the Promised Land”, “Amazing Grace”, “There Is Power”, “Glory To His Name”, “Redeemed”, “Lord You’re Holy”, climaxing with “When I Think About the Lord”.

They brought a bit of Texas to Kenya when they sang “Make A Joyful Noise Unto The Lord” and even disclosed some Swahili as they sang “Beautiful Terrible Cross”.

They had come a long way to get here and were glad to be here. They shared that they had been praying Psalm 27 for the Church and for Kenya. It was more than just a coincidence that the day they ministered to us was the 27th!

‘Parkie’ was privileged to host Houston’s First Baptist and they certainly did not leave us the same. We believe that they too, did not leave the same. We will never forget them. They will always have a special place in our hearts.

Thank You Houston’s First Baptist Church and God bless you big time!

“The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.” Psalm 27:1-17 (NIV)

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I think I’ve done my best And I possibly could impress you With tender words and harmonies A clever rhyme or two

But if all I’ve done in the time that we’ve shared Is turn your eyes on me Then I have failed at what I am called to do There’s someone else I want you to see

Will you love Jesus more When we go our separate ways When this moment is a memory Will you – Parklands Baptist Church – remember His face Will you look back and realize That you sensed His love more than you did before I pray for nothing less than for you - Parklands Baptist Church To love Jesus more John Bolin, Minister of Worship & Arts Houston’s First Baptist Church

”

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cover story

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The Workshops Workshops were held on day six of the Revival Week focusing on the days theme “Revival in the Market Place.” The attendance far exceeded the numbers captured during the registration and the feedback received was extremely positive and encouraging!

Most participants were spoilt for choice because of the wide variety of forums and expressed the desire for a repeat.

FROM ADDICTION TO FREEDOM with Dr. Richard GAKUNJU

PURITY UNTIL HOLY MATRIMONY panel discussion

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“God's Not Dead is a 2014 Christian drama film directed by Harold Cronk, and stars Kevin Sorbo, Shane Harper, David A. R. White and Dean Cain.

The film was released to theaters on March 21, 2014, by Pure Flix Entertainment�

Parklands Baptist Church rented out the Fox Cineplex at the Sarit Centre to screen the movie for two Saturdays in a row and the tickets were sold out! Many are still very eager to watch this much acclaimed movie.

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Community Outreach North Highridge Primary School

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n Saturday 26th July 2014, 120 children together with about 20 teachers and church members went out to North Highridge Primary School in Nairobi for a day of outreach where they were received very warmly by the whole school (students and teachers). There was an air of excitement throughout the whole visit.

The purpose of the outreach was to:  Reach out to the un-churched children with the gospel of Jesus Christ  Pray for the children regarding their various needs  Have some fun and fellowship  Donate some school uniform to the children of the primary school

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Pastor Susan shared on 2 Kings 5:1-14 – “Naaman’s Leprosy is Healed” after which school uniform, geometry sets, plastic cutlery, and many other items were donated to over 250 children.

The children were delighted to receive the uniform and were thankful.

The head teacher and deputy expressed their deep gratitude to Parklands Baptist Church.

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International Community Cultural Day and Exhibitions

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he Parklands Baptist Church family is quite a large and diverse one. Spanning the five continents, you will find members from all corners of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia. It is a wonderful family and on Saturday 26th July 2014, each distinct group set out to inform on its rich cultures.

A wonderful exhibition was held with beautiful displays of flags, food, clothing, maps, country briefs and even investment and education opportunities. A number of our partners were also on site to market their wares.

It was a first at ‘Parkie’ and it was lot of fun!

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beautiful displays

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connecting the ‘Parkie’ way

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The Caravan “Go Truck”, “Gospel on Wheels”, “Evangelism on Wheels”

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t was named the “Go Truck”, then someone called it “Gospel on Wheels”, and then somebody else referred to it as “Evangelism on Wheels” and the naming did not stop there! This was the Caravan that went out with our Youth Ministry to share the good news of the gospel of Christ in and around Nairobi.

Spread over 3 days, the 126 young people went to the CBD, through Uhuru Highway and Moi Avenue on day-1, where 11 people gave their lives to Christ!

On day-2 they went to Kangemi and then down to Kawangware where 25 people gave their lives to Christ! On the 3rd and final day they went all the way to Thika Road and held a crusade at the Githurai roundabout where 30 people gave their lives to Christ!

They prayed in the Spirit and declared revival over many areas of the city including; Parliament, City Hall, the Co-op Bank Bomb Blast Site, the University of Nairobi, Parklands area, Kangemi market, Uthiru,

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Kawangware market, ILRI, Dagoretti corner, GSU, USIU, Thika Road Mall, Zimmerman, Githurai roundabout, and KCA amongst others. We join them in thanking God for the police escort they received, from Zimmerman to Githurai and back!

On Friday, on their way back to PBC through the Westlands roundabout, the young people disembarked the caravan and began to dance and shout the name of Jesus in the streets and on the road. People of all backgrounds, cultures and religions stopped and watched, happy and applauding; and yet it was very clear what they were doing! They were raising a banner for Jesus in Westlands!

Indeed God’s faithfulness was evident in that week where close to 70 souls were won for Christ!

“All praise and glory to God for the things we have seen and the favor He has given us!”

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a time of praising and worshiping the King of kings and the Lord of lords with all our being!

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a time of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with people of all ages and from all walks of life!

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thanking God for His amazing provision of police escort to and from Githurai!

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The PBC Mombasa Road Branch settles in Embakasi

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aunched on 4th July 2010, the PBC Mombasa Road Branch began as an International Gateway Church with a mandate of reaching out to the estates along Mombasa highway from Nyayo Stadium to Athi River interchange junction, JKIA, the northern corridor and into the far east. Back then the estates on both sides of the road - from Nyayo Stadium to Athi River junction - had a population of approximately 1.2 million people with only 100,000 people attending church on any given Sunday.

With the vision having been birthed in 1997, the establishment of this branch was an answer to many years of prayer and it was on this day, after many searches, surveys, and meetings that the first service was held at the City Cabanas Hotel - Fountain Hall. In attendance was a congregation of 80 people.

The Church’s growth started immediately thereafter and within a year of its existence, PBC Mombasa Road Branch had a congregation of over 250 people. The need to seek a larger and more permanent location for the Church to reside at was evident and the search began.

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Towards the end of 2013 when the congregation was at approximately 350 people, the Lord, through the Baptist Convention of Kenya (BCOK), opened a door for the Church to move to Embakasi. This incredible occurrence was received with such great joy and thanksgiving.

Once the paperwork was finalized, groundwork for the move started and a 1,000-seater tent was set up revealing that God was up to something amazing!

Sunday School classes were prepared, facilities to house the Youth/Teens services as well as bible study and prayer meetings were also organized.

The transformation was remarkable and members of PBC Mombasa Road Branch were gleeful in their thanksgiving knowing that only our Heavenly Father could have done such a marvelous thing!

So eager were they to move that in mid-May 2014, a ‘trial’ service was held at the new location in Embakasi to allow the congregation get a feel of things to come.

But after the service, they refused to return to their old location and chose to remain at Embakasi. Incredible!

And so, in recognition of its renewed and bigger mandate, the branch was renamed to PBC Eastgate and on 6th July 2014 the inaugural service at the new premises was held. It was a double celebration as it was also the branch’s 4th anniversary. The occasion was remarkably precious as many joined in the celebrations including Rev. Ambrose Nyangao the PBC Senior Pastor, Rev. Samson Ojienda the BCOK Administrator who was representing Rev. Elijah Wanje the BCOK Moderator, Pastor Euticas Wambua from the Nairobi Baptist Association, Pastor Mark Owino from the Nairobi Baptist Pastors Fellowship, Pastor Ben Kuira from Membley Baptist Church, Bishop Turere from the Global Worship Center, Canon Mary Koigu from Saint Peters ACK Embakasi, Mrs. Anne Ombwara the PBC Moderator, and a host of PBC leaders and members as well as family and friends who congratulated and encouraged them.

multiply. Lord we are calling forth people from around this sanctuary, may they come, may they come like a flood. May they come! Lord may you fill this sanctuary.

May by the end of this year, this place be filled with people who will be ministered by your word.”

PBC Eastgate continues to witness many wonderful happenings. Borrowing from the purpose driven church model followed by Parklands Baptist Church, they have provided for lots of opportunity to connect by establishing five departments and starting several ministries. There is already growth being recorded and some of the Sunday School classes are now full! It's simply breathtaking to see and experience the incredible rate at which God is transforming the ministry of PBC Eastgate.

“We are a Great Commission and a Great Commandment Church and the Lord has placed us in this locality to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom; to raise godly leaders who will mobilize the saints to influence our communities positively through the application of Kingdom principles of God’s Word. We want to see God glorified in all we say and do” said Pastor Bern.

Rev. Ambrose Nyangao, Rev. Samson Ojienda and Pastor Bern Otuma unveil the inaugural plaque

Speaking on the message Faith Confessions, Rev. Ambrose Nyangao said that “the reason why we are here at Eastgate is because we want to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom. And we want to release it, we want to speak it, we want to declare it, we want to say it because this word is the building block for what God wants to do” (see Hebrews 11:1-6). He urged Pastor Bern, the Pastor at PBC Eastgate, and the congregation to rely on the word of God to carry them through. “You will expand and grow and become bigger than (PBC) Westlands because of you depending on the word of God. God is taking you places in Jesus name.”

Rev. Ambrose declared that “everyday people will be joining this church because we are calling them forth. So that together we can look forward to a city that is made without hands, whose architect and builder is God. Amazing things will happen, greater days are ahead of us.”

He prayed that Pastor Bern and the leadership and congregation at PBC Eastgate will arise and focus their eyes to great exploits that are coming ahead of them. “…bring to them partners who will join them for this great task, bring resources from the east, from the west, from the north, from the south to cause this work here to

“God has been faithful and we declare ‘Ebenezer, this far the Lord has come with us.’ We believe that He who began this good work will bring it to completion. This celebration has given us new impetus to forge forward with confidence knowing that the Lord is with us.”

Rev. Ambrose Nyangao, Rev. Samson Ojienda and Pastor Bern Otuma cut the tape as they declare the Sanctuary opened

“We are very excited for the open door that the Lord has set before us. The opportunities are right before us.

The Lord has set an open door that no man can shut.

We must walk through this door. We must be godly leaders that God will use in this city and generation. We must set our eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith. This is the generation that God will use to usher in His Son. Be part of this breed of people whom God will use. PBC Eastgate is destined for great things ahead” Pastor Bern concluded.

What a breakthrough reality! www.parklandsbaptist.org\pbceastgate

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Rev. Simon Mwangi

Rev. Ambrose Nyangao

Associate Pastor

Senior Pastor

Parklands Baptist Church Revival Sunday 27th July 2014

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Thank You! To God our Father for His unmerited favor To our families for your consideration and understanding To our friends for graciously attending To our visitors for joining us in worship To our partners for your generous support and kinship To our service providers for your delightful effect To our leaders for your servitude and encouragement To our staff members for holding us up!

To our volunteers for filling the gap To our prayer team for your thoughtfulness To our caregivers for your kindheartedness To our worship teams for your faithfulness To our congregation for your hunger and thirst after righteousness To our counselors for your compassion To our youth for your passion To our children for your ministry To our online worshipers for your devotion and faithfully logging-in To each and everyone of you…Thank You, from the bottom of our heart!

We Could Not Have Done It Without You! And now…

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

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Ring Rd. Westlands / Sports Rd. |

14446-00800, Nairobi |

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www.parklandsbaptist.org |

2650239, 2642771 |

/parkiebaptist, |

0722845401 or 0737944379

@ParkieBaptist

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