The ACC&S Making History: 70 Years of Ministry in Kenya

Celebrating 70 Years of God's Grace and Faithfulness

On Sunday, December 30, the African Christian Church and Schools commemorated 70 years of ministry which was founded in Kenya's central highlands in 1948. 

"We celebrate and recognize our founding fathers and mothers who were determined to move out of the AIM and start an independent Church that would address the issue of education to help their children move to higher levels of learning. They were mocked, frustrated, disliked, and their children expelled from the mission schools without notice... They walked to Fort Hall by foot without wavering and by God's grace, won the case on June 26, 1948."

Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Ngumo

Over 3000 people gathering at the grounds of the Thika Cathedral, December 30, 2018

Over the past two years, we have witnessed incredible progress within the ACC&S which has surpassed their own goal of planting ten new churches in three-years, by establishing eleven new congregations in less than half of that time.

Three other major milestones were reached in the past year. 

First, the denomination ordained 77 lay elders on November 4, 2018, a historical record for the church. Under the leadership of moderator Ngumo, the ACC&S has made major strides in empowering lay leadership and encouraging all of their members to utilize their gifts and talents for the mission of God in the world.

Second, the ACC&S ordained 88 full-time ministers on December 30, the largest ordination in their 70-year history. The denomination has three levels of pastoral ordination, namely, teaching elders, licentiates, and reverends.

Finally, for the first time in the history of the denomination, the ACC&S has acknowledged the gifting and calling of God for women to be recognized as full reverends. Their example will be a major contribution to other African denominations in and beyond Kenya.

Past ACC&S Moderators Rev. Samuel Mogo Mwangi, Rev. Joseph Maina, Rev. Jackson Mburu Njuguna, and Rev. Julius Karanja Kimani meeting in the office of Moderator Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Ngumo.

Moderator Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Ngumo Kiguru addressing the parade of the ACC&S Brigade during the 70th Anniversary Celebration

ACC&S General Secretary, Rev. Julius Kimani Kinuthia, leading in prayer

A historic day, as Moderator Ngumo ordains 26 women pastors

Erica participating in the service of ordination

For the first time ever in the history of Canadian Baptist Ministries, an African partner denomination ordained a female Canadian field staff. It was a great honour for Erica to have the ACC&S recognize her calling and gifts for ministry through this ordination, and for her to have the joy of standing with 25 other women, many of whom she has been working with over the past five years.

Reverend Erica Nicole Kenny being ordained by Moderator Ngumo 

and the general counsel of the African Christian Church and Schools

Aaron with Erica during her official robing

A historic day for the ACC&S

The laying on of hands

during the ordination of 28 licentiate pastors

The ACC&S executive members with the group recently ordained reverends

(Elder Elijah Wainanina Karanu, Rev. Julius Kimani, Rt. Rev. Jeremiah Ngumo, Rev. Luka Kuria Wachira, and Rev. David Kimemia Kamau)

Erica will fellow ordination candidate Rev. Martha Wairimu Kihika

Erica with her ordination group

Moderator Jeremiah Ngumo congratulating Erica

Thank you for keeping the ACC&S and the ministry of CBM in Kenya in your prayers.