2012 GOH Leadership Conference ACC&S

Dr. Julius Karanja, Moderator of the African Christian Church & Schools, opening CBM's second ACC&S Guardians of Hope Leadership Conference at the Jumuia Centre in Kikambala, Kenya

This past week, we had the pleasure of leading our second ACC&S GOH leadership conference with our colleagues Wayne and Maureen Morgan. We travelled to the coast with our children for intentional time of reflection on the ministry of the Guardians of Hope with members of the ACC&S executive and leaders from each of their nine GOH projects.

Erica and Maureen facilitating a session on strengthening

the leadership role of women in the GOH

This year's conference focused on the effectiveness of HIV & AIDS awareness, strengthening the role of women, and sharing best practices in the self help group approach. Over the conference, the groups also worked on refining a self assessment tool that the groups will be using to set measurable targets and track their progress.

Wayne Morgan sharing during the closing panel discussion

responding to the group presentations on their successes

in HIV & AIDS Awareness and Prevention

It was encouraging to hear how many groups have begun partnering with the local government in voluntary counselling and testing projects. In the community of Embu, 23 people who tested positive through their VCT have joined their GOH support groups in the past few months. "We are working together so that everyone in our community knows their status!" shared pastor John, "Stigma is being reduced and those living positive are finding support and acceptance!"

Worshipping under the shade of the trees

The ACC&S leaders deeply appreciated the support of Canadian Baptist Ministries that made this gathering possible. "Please thank the Canadian Churches for us," shared ACC&S General Secretary Joseph Miana. "You do not know how great it is for us to have this gift to come away, and step back from our busy ministry and responsibilities in our home communities. This time away together greatly enriches our ministry and is such an encouragement for us!"

We also want to thank all of you for your prayers and generous support for our family and the ministries that we are providing leadership. God is using your help to strengthen the ministry of the Church in Africa as it seeks to bring about transformation in the lives of so many!

One of the great challenges that the ACC&S is facing is encouraging and empowering women in leadership. Within the GOH we are intentionally working to over come gender inequality and long standing patterns that have held women back from sharing their perspective and potential. Please pray for the courageous women leaders of the ACC&S GOH who are reaching out to their sisters and mentoring others in their church and communities.

A further challenge facing the ACC&S GOH is a generational gap between current leadership and the growing youth population of Kenya. Presently over 60% of the Kenyan population is under the age of 25. Please pray for the Church as they seek ways to reach out to the youth of their communities and involve this next generation in the leadership of ministries like the GOH. Having multiple generations represented in leadership is one key way of strengthening the ministry of the Guardians of Hope that has been caring for AIDS orphans for the past seven years.

Emma enjoying some quiet time at the conference

ACC&S GOH Leadership Participants

Thank you for remembering and praying for this ministry!