Hello Dear Friends and Brethren,

God is so Good! We are doing very fine here in Kenya, preparing ourselves for a big Harvest for Christ. The ministry is expanding fast. I have never been as busy as this year. We have hosted folks from Australia and New Zealand, from another ministry, for a revival in our church. I traveled to Moshi, Tanzania, the opposite side of Mwanza for a week’s revival. For seven days I preached there every evening. The people were quite receptive. I also went to a place called Mutuati, very far from Nairobi.

We held a very powerful conference in a place called Maua. The camp was well attended with people from as far as Ethiopia. We ministered to one another. We also had a group from Tanzania. At least three countries were represented. I was told there is a great revival in Ethiopia. We had to use an interpreter since the Ethiopians speak Aramaic; English is very rare there. I introduced them to Vision Africa.

We co-hosted a conference with Pastor Carol Mwangi, with very many pastors in attendance. Afterward, I went to Eldoret, 400 kilometers away for a mission. As the ministry grows, so do more opportunities and greater responsibility as well. I am also learning much.

I have worked without much rest for the last one year and I have seen the fruits. VAEM, Inc. is a very big ministry in Africa today. We have Clinics, Schools, churches and projects which are positively changing the communities in Africa. As we labor in conjunction with other ministries and ministry/prayer partners, we come into greater unity, “thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.” 

I was blessed to return to America this year for VAEM’s Third Annual Mission’s Conference. Two of my friends in ministry, Pastor Benard Machua, and Pastor Carol Mwangi accompanied me from Kenya. It was good to be able to see all my friends who have partnered with us in Kenya through the years of ministry, who I have come to love, know and appreciate in Owensboro, KY. The conference was very successful, and we made new divine connections, which are expected in mission’s conferences. My stay in Kentucky for two weeks was good. From there I went to Dallas, Texas, to be with the Kenyan community, who welcomed me very well. Over 70,000 Kenyans are permanently settled there.

While there, I saw a program about Jews who were abandoned in Ethiopia because of their Christian Faith when the evacuation of Jews from Ethiopia took place; the majority of them live in abject poverty.

This year is the year of great turning in our ministry. We have an Ethiopian Jew at CFK centre, built by a charitable foundation. Her name is Tigist, and she is studying English at the centre. Through the funds that have been sent, a portion has provided food, accommodations and anything that this student needs. Ethiopians speak Aramaic.  After one year in the centre she will have learned fluent English. We hope to penetrate Ethiopia through this powerful woman of God as soon as she can speak English fluently.  You never know, we may soon penetrate the Jews in Ethiopia through this woman.

In Nairobi, I have built a sanctuary which can seat 400 to begin with in Makuru Slums. This church was just recently launched in the month of August.  We believe in a big God. We have bibles for each new convert. The ministry is going strong. I have a lot of favor. IN CHURCH PLANTING THERE IS NO FAMILY PLANNING. Soon we are opening more churches. I want every corner of this country to have a church.

 

The Leadership at Word and Spirit Ministry Center, have helped us open another clinic in another slum in the city of Nairobi. Dr Elias Nyagah is in charge. We are thankful to those who have provided much needed Medications and Microscopes through them for the work in our clinics here in Kenya. We are grateful to God for every ministry partner and prayer warrior.

We shall soon have a new congregation in Kigali, Rwanda. We have just recently commissioned a Pastor to Juba, Sudan. You can be sure he needs a lot of prayers; Sudan is not easy.  Now we have penetrated Sudan with the Gospel.

VAEM IS THE UMBRELLA BODY THAT SUPPORTS OUR CHURCH PLANTING ACTIVITIES IN AFRICA. It is not registered as a church but as a society. We now have a national board that is in charge of running financial activities within the ministry. The national team will always work on PRIORITY projects and feed you with necessary reports. 5% of the funds that comes into the ministry are tithed to Word Explosion Ministry and another 5% goes to World Harvest Church here in Nairobi. Both churches are in the city. World harvest has over 1000 members.  My daughter sings there and my son is a dancer in the same church. Our family also tithes there.

The only way a minister can prosper is by paying tithes and offerings. That’s why we tithe every money that comes from America, so that the destroyer may not have a place. We tithe to other ministries. Few pastors tithe here, only the few who are faithful to do so receives a lot of blessings.  

Pastor Jesse Gathuru is in touch; The money we had given them for a church in Mwanza has finally been utilized to purchase the plot and they are in the process of building.

In December we are having a camp meeting crowned with my consecration. In Kenya one cannot be a recognized as a bishop by the authority until other bishops consecrate you. With this regard, on 13th December, 2009, other bishops and senior government officials will come to consecrate me. Ten bishops, two cabinet ministers and other government officials plus the press will be present. We shall give a report on everything I have done now and before I even entered ministry. I really appreciate your prayers for this great event.

Our college is doing great; we recently received new students. By September we hope to get 25 bible class students, most of these are pastors. We are preparing materials as we wait for curriculum and connections to some other colleges across there. Kenyans are very particular on what they learn.

God does not use perfect vessels. He uses available vessels. God uses us because of our availability and commitment to him. God is able to take us through. We as leaders develop shock absorbers to handle pressure.  He has good plans for all of us especially the saints of God. The saints of God shall take the Kingdom and posses it forever more.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO TAKE TO HEAVEN WITH US. SOULS, SOULS AND SOULS.

Following is an overview of all the work that is going on in Africa under my supervision, in conjunction with ministry partners. 

 

 

Christ for Kenya Center Ndagani, Kenya

CFK Community College commenced 12th of January 2009 – The Ministry of Education which is the arm of Kenya government gave the go ahead to start the college. My sister Emis finished doing her masters Degree in Education. She is now the College Principal. All the tutors are Masters Holders. I am the director of the college.  We shall be having our graduation every August every year. Already we have 9 students who will graduate in other community based courses next year August.

1. A.      Farming project – start a small holder crop farming. CFK Centre is the demonstration area. “People perish because of lack of knowledge”. We believe God for proper farming methods which can improve crop production. Tomato & Onion Project is doing great
2. B.      Community Assistance Program
3. C.      Water Drilling Project (was too expensive – instructed to purchase more goats, chickens, help Pastor Zuma)
4. 2.       Healing House Ministries– (not VAEM) Women’s’ Medical Clinic – distributing medicine for a small fee, that pays the nurse and the lab technician. The clinic is run by the women.
5. 3.       Evangel Tabernacle, Marimanti, Tharaka District – Pastor Joseph Nguli.
   1. A.      Goat & Chicken Project
   2. B.      Canaan Land Project: Generator, Irrigation System
   3. 4.       Kitengela, Kenya – Pastor Paul Nyingi
   4. 5.       Thika Fellowship,  Pastor Arnold Mutembei
   5. 6.       Destiny Christian Academy – Pastor Frank Raini
   6. 7.       Port Victoria – two churches under Pastor Zuma
   7. 8.       Pole Pole Church, Chogoria, (Meru district) Kenya – Pastor Eric Kaburia
   8. 9.       Muthenge, Nairobi
   9. 10.    Kieni Kia Ndege
   10. 11.    Nyahururu  - Pastor Maina
   11. 12.    Kyangombe
   12. 13.    Githurai
   13. 14.    Plot of land in Makuru Slums, Nairobi not far from my house, for the church which can have 500 people comfortably though my desire is 5000. 
   14. 15.    Kenya VAEM Board: Official Certificate 8/08

We now have four new churches, 5 new pastors, making the total now 15 Evangel Tabernacle Pastors

Other churches which we have assisted: Makindu, Olandi in Oloitoktok and Maua.

 

Bishop Franklin M. Ragwa

P.O. Box 9809-00200 Nairobi, Kenya

Tel. +254-712-974115 or +254-734-489110

email: bishopragwa@yahoo.com