Celebrating 40 Years of Partnership

Celebrating 40 Years of Partnership in Kenya
between Canadian Baptist Ministries and the Africa Brotherhood Church.

ABC Katelembo Church Choir performing traditional Akamba folksongs
at the ABC headquarters in Machakos, Kenya

Over the weekend, we travelled to the green hills of Ukambani, in Eastern Kenya, to participate in a time of celebration and worship as we remembered God's blessings throughout this journey of partnership. 

The partnership was born out of a strong friendship formed between Dr. John F. Keith (former general secretary of CBOMB) and the late Bishop Nathan Ngala (former ABC Bishop) in 1978. Their mutual trust and respect opened a door for Christians from the Canadian Baptists Churches and the Africa Brotherhood Churches to work together in education, evangelism, agriculture, and in response to health issues like a lack of clean water and HIV/AIDS.

"This journey we are celebrating," shared Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki during his closing sermon, "is a moment to reflect back and see what our forefathers did in laying a foundation for our generation to build upon... Their long-term goals have been fulfilled today through a spirit of unity and the sustainability of the church."

Erica, Carla, and Mary dancing with the ABC Mutituni Choir

Kamba Cultural dancing

Under the leadership of Ndambuki, the ABC has been intentional to reclaim its Akamba heritage and to strengthen its identity as an indigenous African Church. Reclaiming Akamba traditional music, oral history, and values is bringing great pride to the church.

CBM executive director Rev. Dr. Terry Smith presenting a stained glass maple leaf to Archbishop Ndambuki and his wife Mary Nzyoki during the 40th Anniversary Celebration.

Bishop Mishack Mikwilu leading the singing of Kiswahili Hymns

CBM executive director, Rev. Dr. Terry Smith addressing the gathering.

During the celebration, CBM board president Rev. Dr. Malcolm Card and executive director Terry Smith shared about the value of the partnership, recounted the work and sacrifice offered by so many people in the course of 40 years, and shone a light on the transformation that has happened in the lives of countless people through the shared ministries our two communities of faith.

As we move into the future, CBM and ABC will continue to seek to encourage and invest in other African denominations that are struggling in areas of great need. God has blessed our two Christian communities with the resources and experience to bring hope and healing to people impacted by war, insecurity, and poverty. 

We are so thankful for the journey of the past decades and the knowledge that God will be faithful as we seek the good of others. 

Erica with ABC director of community development Geraldine Nduku

Over the past year, Erica and Geraldine have worked together with our friend Peter (The assistant to the Archbishop) in planning and organizing this event. Beyond the celebration, we are so thankful for the opportunity to visit with beneficiaries from several of the activities from the past four decades.

Patty Card with members of the Guardians of Hope

One of the most successful community development projects of CBM and the ABC has been the Guardians of Hope that has assisted local churches in responding to HIV and AIDS in their congregations and communities. Patty Card was instrumental in launching this program across Africa in 2004 and managing the GOH until returning to Canada in 2009. In recent years has Erica has built on the GOH program by establishing Kamp Tumaini a program for the children of the GOH.

Dr. Carla Nelson with a beneficiary of the CBM/ABC Teachers Program

In the early 2000s, Carla Nelson worked with CBM and ABC to develop a teachers training program that has had an immense impact on the denomination and the schools of Kenya. The counselling component of the program has now become a standard for educational training in Kenya. The counselling training for teachers was later used to strengthen pastoral counselling in the church. During the celebration, pastors who had completed this program were asked to stand. Immediately hundreds of pastors rose to their feet applauding the work of Carla and leaders of the teaching program.

EKIC President Mary Nzyoki giving us a tour of the 

Eastern Kenya Integrated college in Mitaboni.

The greatest investment of CBM with the ABC has been in the area of education and leadership development. It is inspiring to see the ABC continue to build on this legacy by working to build up young people in faith and professionalism.

Rev. Dr. Gary Nelson dancing with the Katelembo choir

Photo Credit: Garrett Bruinsma May  19, 2018

Over the forty-years of partnership, there had been many CBM staff who were embedded with or worked closely with the Africa Brotherhood Church. Some came for a year or more, others remained for over a decade, and some continued to return to guide and support key initiatives that stretched over many years. 

We certainly do not want to forget any of their names, so please send us a note if you know of any people whom we may have accidentally missed. 

Included in this list are general secretaries who have dedicated time to encourage and mentor the leadership of the ABC in many different ways. As we look back on key people that have walked with the ABC, we want to recognize and honour each of the following people.

John and Virginia Keith, Randy and Elizabeth Legassie, Hans and Alison Van Nie, Judy Webb, Marilyn Smith, Bob and Grace Berry, Elwood and Myrtle Bannister, Bryan Hagerman, Brian and Caryn Stelck, Gordon and Nancy Patterson, Aubrey and Diane Trail, Patricia Smith, Robert and Ann Swan, David and Cathie Phillips, Gary and Carla Nelson, Anne Drost, Robert and Sarah Patterson, Alden and Tracy Crain, Gordon King, Sam Mutisya, Malcolm and Patty Card, Timothy and Diane Bannister, Aaron and Erica Kenny, Sam and Cindie Chaise, Ruth Munyao, Pauline Kariuki, and Terry and Heather Smith.

Beyond this group, there have been hundreds of short-term volunteers who have come to assist in the dozens of ministries, projects, and training programs that the ABC has been a part of over these many years. 

These include pastoral training, the certificate of ministry program, teacher’s training programs, agronomist exchanges, food security projects, the diploma of integral mission, the Carey Masters of Divinity program, the Carey Doctor of Divinity program, the certificate of integral mission, Guardians of Hope, Praxis, Kamp Tumaini, Women in Focus, and many others.

Aaron, Gary, and Terry with Reverend Emeritus Dr. Julius Karanja Kimani 

of the African Christian Church and Schools.

We are very thankful for members of the ACC&S and the NCCK, that also participated in this celebration. We pray that God continues to bless and strengthen the witness of the Church in Kenya as denominations work together to further the Kingdom of God.