mavuno life - volume 005 - february 2014

ORDINARY PEOPLE – EXTRAORDINARY LIVES • FEB 2014 • 005 • FREE

2014Step

W H O W E A R E | L E A D E R S ’ L O G | W H AT W E D O | C A M P U S V I B E | C H A N G E T H E W O R L D

DAISYEJANG

TPF’sHope Child

MEETRUGBY’S

FearlessInfluencers

Behind the LensGROOVETHEORY

our year to

Out!

WHO WE AREA Word from the Senior Pastor’s Desk ................... 32014: Our Year to Step Out! ..................................... 6Hill City… and the God of the Impossible............. 30

LEADERS’ LOGFinding Your Way in a Crowd ................................. 8Expanding Mavuno’s Ministry ................................. 20A Different Year ......................................................... 24We Set Out To ‘Occupy’… and we did! ................... 40

WHAT WE DONever Walk Alone ..................................................... 4Learning on the job ................................................... 21

CAMPUS VIBEStepping Out: Easier Said Than Done..................... 10Daisy Ejang: TPF’s Hope Child ................................ 1612 Days of Christmas ................................................ 32

CHANGE THE WORLDOne on One with Rigga ............................................ 12Africa Fashion Week’s Rising Star ........................... 25Lokhem – Creating a Fearless Generation ............. 26Giving to a Vision ...................................................... 28Behind the Lens: Groove Theory ............................. 34Rugby’s Fearless Influencers ..................................... 37

C O N T E N T S

MAVUNO LIFE is published and distributed by the Mavuno Church. © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

THE TEAM

www.mavunochurch.org

COVERSenior Pastor Muriithi WanjauPhoto by Robert Mutua

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Design & Layout: Vikki Keingati - Under the Baobab Productions Ltd.Email: [email protected]

PhotograPhy: Mwangi Kirubi, James Quest

eDitor: David Kuria

assistant eDitor: Enock Chinyenze

Contributors: Muriithi Wanjau, Frank Ondere, Linda Ochola-Adolwa, Daniel Flechsig, Njeri Ngige, Kyama Mugambi, Carol Wanjau, Wangeci Kanyeki, Esther Mwaniki, Chris Lyimo, Marcus Olang, and Anthony Mwaniki

3216

12

37

WORDPst. Mfrom

Dear Fearless Influencer, Ever had a nagging feeling you just

cannot shake? Ever felt that there is something big coming, like God is setting you up for the impossible and you cannot quite put your finger on it? That’s my feeling for 2014. Big things are coming.

The writer of Corinthians said, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” I believe God is about to do something in and through Mavuno in 2014 that will be completely unheard of.

Maybe this is why He gave us such a powerful word for the year. 2014 is our year to STEP OUT! This is a year when God is calling each one of us to step out and fearlessly influence the various spheres around us, be it our families, workplaces

or neighbourhoods. As we do this in obedience, I believe we will experience God in ways we never have.

We have stepped out to Hill City as a congregation. It is a huge risk to relocate our main campus from its current location to an entirely new place, where our global headquarters is to be positioned. But I believe God is setting us up for greater things this year.

From Berlin to Kampala, and Nairobi to Lusaka, 2013 saw a record number -1,350 - come to faith though Mavuno’s ministry. For the first time, we were able to plant three churches in the same year – Kigali, Blantyre and Lusaka. We also saw a dozen fearless men and women drawn from Kenya, Uganda and Germany enrol in our Discovery (internship) program.

In addition, our congregation raised a phenomenal amount of money towards moving to our Hill City headquarters – at last count we were at Ksh 183.7 million (US$ 2.12 million).

All these were unprecedented and we take none of them lightly. God is at work. I really believe this is just the beginning.

So I pray that as you read the stories unfolding in this edition of Mavuno Life, your own faith will be built up and you will be encouraged to see 2014 as a year of great opportunity. The God of the impossible is on our side.

Buckle up! Things are about to get interesting.

Muriithi Wanjau,Senior Pastor

This is a year when God is calling each one of us to step out and fearlessly influence the various spheres around us, be it our families, workplaces or neighbourhoods.

MAVUNO LIFE FEB 20144 MAVUNO LIFE

Dominic Rono would have never imagined himself in a Christian small group, known as a life group, let alone step in church. He was introduced to Mavuno Mashariki by a friend in 2012 and thereafter heard about Mizizi. He became curious and decided to try it out.

Dominic was a reserved guy and would have normally sat back quietly in such a group setting. “But when I heard a man talk openly about his sexual issues in a group of both men and women it changed me. Whoever invented this Mizizi thing is a genius,” he says. Dominic opened up too, and started to share about his life. Soon he and his Mizizi class began to bond.

After completing the Mizizi course, they transitioned into a life group and Dominic would have never guessed what that would mean for him today. They named their group Fanaka (Swahili for ‘prosperity’), coined from Jeremiah 29 verse 11, and so began an incredible journey.

The Journey Begins

Fanaka has 16 members, some of whom are married. Today they look at themselves as family, but it wasn’t always that way. “When we started off, I for one felt that we were in each other’s space a bit too much. It felt like meeting every week was excessive. Yet as time went by, this became the norm. Now if a week goes by without seeing my LG members - that feels strange.

NEVERAloneWALK

BY ENOCK CHINYENZE

They say ‘you can’t miss what you’ve never had’ but if you knew what it was you didn’t

have, HOW THEN would you then miss it?

MAVUNO LIFE 5

This is my family now,” said Charles Kimani.From the beginning they agreed to be

real and vulnerable with each other, and have since stood together through life’s issues. “When I finished Mizizi, I was still struggling with my love for clubbing and alcohol. However, these guys literally hand held me through it. Every weekend they would check on me and each week they would ask me what I am doing to rid myself of these habits. With time, I gave up on the clubbing and no longer struggle with alcohol,” said Rhonnie Ekesa.

Time For more

In 2013, Fanaka felt like they wanted to do more. They put together a small kitty that they contributed money to. Dominic said, “We wanted to fearlessly influence society but we had no money.” Sometimes they would have little money they’d use for community outreach activities but more often than not it was never enough. Frustrated, they decided they needed to raise more.

It was then that a media advertisement by the government caught their attention. In a bid to increase food security, the government was offering loans towards groups interested in farming. With some members already involved in farming, this seemed brilliant, and they took it on. They’ve gone on to register Fanaka as a self-help group and are looking forward to reaping benefits from it.

Building on that success, in August 2013 they organized a family fun day for Mavuno Mashariki’s outreach initiative in Buruburu, an area earmarked for a Mavuno

church plant. They secured the services of various sponsors, some corporate and others individuals and ran a hugely successful fun day, with nearly 400 people participating.

Asked why Fanaka goes out of its way to help others, their leader Vincent Oyaro said, “We believe in the vision God has given Mavuno and we all play a part in this. For example, members of Fanaka serve as ushers in church, media, Greehouse (children’s church) and problem solving in many ways.”

It doesn’t stop there. Fanaka recognized their success as a

consistent life-group, and wondered why certain groups fizzled out. They decided they would do something about that and began a life group-mentoring program. For up to a year, they deploy members of their group to walk with other life groups that are new, and do so until they are strong enough to stand on their

But when I heard a man talk openly about his sexual issues in a group of both men and women it changed me. Whoever invented this Mizizi thing is a genius

own. Fanaka also adopted Ward 9 at Mathare

Hospital as one of their community service activities. Currently they are looking into supporting kids in Eastlands with school fees. Dominic said that in line with the church’s mission, they want to be the fearless influencers of society.

So what exactly makes Fanaka successful? Vincent summarizes them as follows: being vulnerable and accountable to each other; consistent communication using various platforms (email, private Facebook page, WhatsApp, etc); serving together (in church and in community service); rotating leadership (allows all members to appreciate the main leaders’ efforts); and plugging in to the church vision helps ensure they remain grounded.

Dominic says he’s grown immensely and has no idea what his life would be like without this life group.

We believe in the vision God has given Mavuno and we all play a part in this.

Dominic Rono

Members of Fanaka LG

Beyond our dreams to get rich and see the world, every one of us had great dreams of who we would

become and what we would accomplish with our lives. Yet for many of us, life took a different tangent.

We got a job. Got married. Got kids. Got busy. Got overwhelmed! Maybe we tried something and it didn’t

work out, so we gave up altogether. Or we shared our dreams with others, but they discouraged and convinced us to play it safe – now was not the time. Most of those dreams remained exactly that: dreams!

I am convinced that some of those dreams, that longing we had to change something, to make the world a better place, was not just a dream but things that God was and still is calling us to change or to influence in some way or other. God has called us to a life of significance and purpose. Every one of us has a role to play in making our community, city, country and continent a better place.

Eight years ago when we began the Mavuno journey, we felt that God had given us an exciting dream as a church. Our mission was clear - ‘Turning Ordinary People Into Fearless Influencers Of Society’. It meant that our focus was to reach out to people who did not like church or find it relevant and to help them

ADAPTED FROM PASTOR MURIITHI WANJAU’S SERMON SERIES ‘STEP OUT’

become a revolutionary force that would bring God’s influence into their families, their workplaces and their society.

DON’T DREAM. DO!As I prayed about God’s word for us

in 2014, I sensed God saying the same thing to us … ‘This is your year to step out into fearless influence.’ I believe that God is challenging us to Step Out and to actually change our society: to move from dreaming of a better society and to start doing something to see it become a reality. 2014 is the year to Step Out and to take responsibility for our society.

In Joshua 1: 1 – 9, the words ‘be strong and courageous’ are repeated at least three times. When someone tells you, ‘you’re going to have to be brave’, what they are implying is that what you’re about to face is not going to be easy! Being a fearless influencer is not easy. There are demons that are assigned to keep you from being who God created you to be. There are enemies that are determined to keep your family from being who

You are God’s plan A for the deliverance of your family, your workplace and society. So be strong and courageous!

MAVUNO LIFE FEB 20146

MAVUNO LIFE 7

God created them to be:Alcoholism. Selfishness. Children out ofwedlock. Materialism. Strife. It’s going to take courage to evict these

strongholds. Someone is going to have to courageously stand up against them.

You! Yes, you! You are God’s plan A for the deliverance of

your family, your workplace and society. So be strong and courageous! I know you don’t have your act together. You haven’t arrived yet. You still have issues. But you have God on your side.

God has not promised that we will always succeed as we step out to influence for Him. But He has promised to be with us. We would rather be in a place of difficulty with God, than in a place of ease without God. And this is His promise in 2014 – vs 5 ‘I will not fail you or abandon you.’ (vs 9) ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We would rather be in a place of difficulty with God, than in a place of ease without God.

My 2014 Prayer

My prayer this is that every member

of your family will encounter

God this year because of you.

Broken marriages will be reconciled;

alcoholics delivered; hopeless people will

find hope because of you.

I pray that Mavuno people will bring

God’s influence into every major corporate

company of this nation.

You will change the rules of the game in

business, media, education, politics

We will educate thousands of

children from poor families.

Many of us will continue to impact our prisons.

People in our city will talk fondly of Mavuno

as the church that has brought light and hope.

That in the next few years, people from

across Africa and the world will travel

here to see how a city can be

changed when God’s people dare to step out.

It's 2014. Dare tostep out!

When life is holding together we do not feel the need to seek personal or spiritual

development. Life, however as we often put it, ‘happens.’ For many people it has already taken its toll and they are now seeking to disentangle from where they find themselves. Some are perhaps not even aware how tousled their lives are. This is where the Mavuno Marathon encounters many. In numbers they come to find themselves in a church crowd.

The Marathon, as it is affectionately referred to in Mavuno, is a discipleship process that is designed to help people commit in faith, and connect with God’s will and a community of His people. What makes the Marathon different is that it is a very deliberate step by step process that has been given great thought and built on a successful track record. The key to the Marathon is acknowledging that people come from different walks of life and therefore cannot all be helped to connect with their purpose in a typical Sunday church service crowd. The Marathon is therefore a series of customized tools that will meet and grow people individually, in God, and with their families and community.

UNTANGLED For Mavuno, this process starts with

Mizizi – a ten-week transformational course designed to help people connect

with their purpose. Beyond Mizizi there are five other experiences (Simama, Ombi, Hatua, Ndoa and Lea) that all help transition you from living in the moment, for yourself and with personal satisfaction, to being driven by a bigger cause, a better understanding of yourself, your gifting and how that fits into a larger picture.

However people do not progress through life in a linear fashion. The Marathon should be, and is, a solution for people. Much of this intentional thinking, which characterized the Mavuno Marathon Department in 2013, was

meant to better meet the needs of all these personal life changes. A lot of strategic adjustments were made in staffing for the various Marathon programmes. Pastor Michael Onen focused more on improving the church services experience, for example, while Pastor Grace Ndege moved from Teenz Konnect (Mavuno’s youth church) towards her passion – outreach. With these transitions and others that took place, the Marathon is now poised for growth. The team is more in sync, in terms of working together and building on each others’ strengths.

Last year the Marathon saw over 700 people go through Mizizi, 350 took Ndoa classes and 100 went through Lea.

HILL CITYWe are looking forward to 2014 both

for growth in people’s lives and in the Marathon itself. But we are more excited for the opportunities that moving to Hill City, our new home, will bring. Mavuno Hill City will bring on board new people that will have a novel experience and embrace a new church. Likewise the Marathon will bring new models

of discipleship, transform families, bring children and teenagers to faith, create role models for communities and help people

better organize their finances.If moving church in 2006 from the

South C Club to the current Mavuno Bellevue is a precedence to go by, this fresh experience will not only be for newcomers. As before, we can expect innovation and growth in many ways that we do things. Those that are already a part of the Mavuno family will therefore have opportunities to step out and begin to apply the experiences and skills they have acquired. We are expecting a new momentum with new dynamics that will only lead you to growth.

Finding CROWD

your way in a

Last year the Marathon saw over 700 people go through Mizizi, 350 took Ndoa classes and 100 went through Lea.

BY PASTOR LINDA OCHOLA-ADOLWA


WWW.MAVUNOCHURCH.ORGMarch 2014

From the makers of ‘HAPPILY EVER AFTER’

and ‘WOMAN WORTH FIGHTING FOR’“a story of how to find and keep the ONE”

2nd The Morning After 9th Tujuane 16th No More Don Juan 23rd Devious Maids 30th The Launch 6th (April) Facing my Past 13th (April) Chukua Control-

findersKEEPERS

enabled them to connect a little more with Mavuno’s mission and vision. That is when the big call was made. The Glöckner’s made the decision to uproot their family and relocate from Northern Germany all the way to Berlin, in order to join and serve in the soon-to-be-established Mavuno Berlin. For a family man, this was a massive step of faith.

When speaking of this step, Pastors Daniel and Nancy Fleschig of Mavuno Berlin say, “We saw God’s calling upon their lives and prayed intensely for several years. Both have authentic and genuine motives: a serving heart and great leadership capacities. They love God and people. But we knew that this step would have to be a brave one.” Understanding the gravity of the situation, they add, “Leaving a promising career in the aero engine industry, giving up a good living standard and fully trusting God to supply the family with all their daily needs is huge.”

God rewarded their faith by allowing Ole to get a job at Rolls-Royce aero engines

STEP PING

in Berlin, permitting both he and his wife to pour their heart, time and energy into serving at the church. Since then they have flourished.

Andrea has been leading Mavuno Minis, the kids’ ministry for 1 to 4 year-olds. She also leads the life-groups ministry and assists with the purchase of supplies. Ole on the other hand not only provides preaching support and leadership for the media team, he is also part of the management team and helps lead significant projects. These include leading an exciting renovation of the church, and creating and constructing a tailor-made toddlers area.

Second Step Out Moment

In November of 2013 they innocently attended a conference where Nairobi Chapel’s Pastor Oscar Muriu was speaking. He made a powerful challenge to the delegates to step out into the unsafe and follow God’s call.

Who doesn’t love a good against-all-odds story? You know, the kind where the hero or

heroine steps out of their comfort zone and does the unthinkable – all in a bid to follow their convictions. Especially if it comes at great cost to themselves and their loved ones. That is the stuff Hollywood is made of.

We love them and we quietly cheer them on from the sidelines.

But what if, through blood sweat and tears, the star finally makes it? They beat the odds, and survive against great adversity. What happens if they are asked to do it all over again?

Grab the popcorn. This is going to be good!

Meet the Glöckner’s. In August of 2011 Ole Glöckner was thriving as an engineer in a leading aeronautics firm in Berlin. His wife Andrea was helping raise their two kids, Moritz (4 years) and Linnea (3). Life was good.

At the time Andrea and Ole had been supporting a German couple (and now Mavuno Berlin pastors), Daniel and Nancy Flechsig, both financially and in prayer as the Fleschig’s served in Mavuno’s Nairobi church. A visit to Kenya three years later

I knew it was the right thing to do, and it would be wrong not to step out now. I realized that I needed to let go of my fear and worries for my family provision.

BY DANIEL FLECHSIG • ADDITIONAL WRITING BY DAVID KURIA


MAVUNO LIFE 11

In one of the sermons God spoke directly to Ole, asking him to follow a call he had heard before but always postponed to ‘later.’ The call? Leaving their careers and joining the church in full time ministry as pastoral trainees. Ole says, “This was the first time since I gave my life to God in my teenage years that I felt His call so directly and unmistakably. I wanted to obey. I knew it was the right thing to do, and it would be wrong not to step out now. I realized that I needed to let go of my fear and worries for my family provision.”

He adds, “To my excitement, Andrea was expecting that the conference would challenge our family. Before I returned, she had prayed that God would speak and that I would follow His call.”

Of this move, the Flechsig’s say, “When we looked at Ole’s eyes after Pastor Oscar’s sermon, both of us knew that the moment had come. His body language and the tears in

OUTSTEP PING

his eyes said it all. We were extremely excited, yet thoughtful at the same time. God calling not just a single guy, but a husband and a father of two, into ministry is a big step.”

Next StepsOle and Andrea were well aware

that Mavuno Berlin would not be able to pay any more salaries, as it would increase expenses by a whooping 75 per cent. This did not deter them. They are now embarking on fundraising to meet the cost of their living. Andrea says, “We are very confident and now trusting God for a financial miracle.”

The church’s plans for 2014 have now started to turn their vision into concrete steps. What role are Andrea and Ole going to play in Mavuno Berlin and in God’s Kingdom? No doubt, an exiting and faith-building venture is coming up.

It is time to step out!

Easier Said Than Done

Ole and Andrea Glockner, with Moritz (4) and Linnea (3)

One

withon

BY NJERI NGIGE


MAVUNO LIFE 13

Who is Rigga?My real name is Charles Righa, thoughmy stage name is Rigga. I am a rapper, singer, songwriter, recording/performing artiste, worship leader and a proud Nairobian. My artistry and entire life is informed by my faith.

I’m an only child from a single parent family. I love chapatis and pizza. And though I now work as an artist, I studied law at the University of Nairobi and at the Kenya School of Law.

Music and law… How do you strike a balance?Well, to be honest, I haven’t been doing much balancing. I had an amazing internship experience at a good law firm (Ranja & Co. Advocates) but soon afterwards I knew I was meant to do music ministry full time. That’s what I’ve been up to for the past year or so. Music is my passion and my intellectual stimulation; it has both my heart and my mind. But I’m also thankful that I got to study law. It’s broadened my mind and is very much a part of how I carry out my affairs as a musician.

What do you do for fun?I absolutely LOVE movies! I spend a lot of my free time watching movies, at home or at the cinema. I also spend lots of my time listening to music.

Your music is very conscious, how come? What genre would you say it is? I always want my artistry to embody two things: creativity and content. It should be food for your heart and your mind. I believe I have a responsibility in my lyrics to say something meaningful. I find meaning in my Christian faith applied in my everyday life. That’s what my music is about.

In terms of genre, I’d say that I’m an eclectic. Rap/Hip Hop has been my base but I am always dabbling in other styles as well.

How many languages can you fluently rap in? I heard 5, is it true?No… it’s not 5 languages. I can fluently write music in two languages (English & Kiswahili) and I can struggle to write music in a third (French).

Ring Finger, one of your most recent singles, has become such a big hit – both the song and the YouTube confessionals you did. What inspired the song?Ring Finger is my earnest prayer for Godto keep me in purity until the time I’m able to enjoy sex with His blessing. There’s so much sexually stimulated messaging in the media that’s fighting our attention these days. But God assures us that He’s given us grace to live godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-12).

Looking at your profile, I can see you have two amazing albums, and they’ve been feted at award ceremonies such as Groove Awards, Kubamba Music Video Awards and African Gospel Music Awards. With all your fame, you still serve diligently at your church in the worship team. Tell me about that.Yup, I’ve served in the worship team non-stop since 2010 and I’m a firm believer in serving in the local church. Few things, like serving, grow you as a musician and as a Christian. And even though it has its

ups and downs, I’ve come to realize that it is not an option. My purpose depends on it. You became somewhat of a social media phenomenon when you proposed to your girlfriend in the middle of a Mavuno church service. Yes, I saw your video proposal on YouTube! Tell me what was going through your mind? Had you always planned to do it that way? Yes it was exciting, and no, it wasn’t the original plan to get engaged in church. I’m glad that I had friends who nudged me to make a public declaration of love. Once I was in that frame of mind, writing the script for the video and planning the engagement event was fun.

Congratulations on your engagement, and I know you will soon be headed for Ndoa, Mavuno’s marriage ministry. What is the one thing you can tell the readers about your experience in relationships?The one thing I’d tell readers about relationships is there’s no such thing as “The One.” Find and pursue your own God given purpose. While doing so, if and when you find someone you are attracted to who shares your faith and is in line with your purpose, DECIDE AND COMMIT!

What is in the future for Rigga?Marriage in 2014! Musically, there should be a few new music videos from my album Urban Prayers, in addition to some top-secret projects that will soon go public. I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted.

(Above) Rigga Leading Worship at Mavuno, (Above Right) Rigga with fiancé Saiton


Services Team

Executive Team

MAVUNO’S TEAM

Family Ministries

Meet Mavuno’s Dream Team. These are our pastors and Discovery team members who drive the vision.

Pastors Rachel Maina, Angela Gatamah

Pastors Angela Gatamah, Nancy Mukabi, Muriithi Wanjau, Carol Wanjau, Linda Ochola-Adolwa, Kyama Mugambi (Missing - Anthony Mwaniki)

Pastors Mike Onen, Neema Ntalel, Dorcas Kariuki, Edward Ondachi

MAVUNO LIFE 15

Teenz Konnekt Team

Mashariki Team

Outreach Team

Pastors Kevin Ndoria, Cecelia Wamunyu, Janet Chogo, Gladys Nyaga, Richard Chogo, Janet Nzilani, Allan Kefa (MISSING: George Oyogo)

Pastors Jack Odeo, Louisa Mureithi, Lawrence Kavita, Towela Ngondi, Frank Ondere

“When I was growing up we were extremely poor. Even the poor people in our slum felt sorry for us”

Mavuno Kampala’s Daisy Ejang


Yes! Yes! Yes! That’s three yeses. Congratulations, you are heading to Nairobi!

After hours in the hot Kampala sun, queuing with hundreds of singers all intent on becoming East Africa’s next big thing, Daisy Hope Ejang finally got her moment. Her rendition of Alicia Keys’ 2007 hit ‘No One’ so floored the day’s judges that she soon joined four other Ugandans on a flight to Kenya to compete in Tusker Project Fame (TPF), East and Central Africa’s largest music competition.

Who would have guessed it? The humble worship leader from Mavuno Kampala with the big soprano voice would become an overnight sensation.

Her journey though is far from fairy tale. Born to penniless Ugandan parents in Nakawa Quarters, one of the poorest slums in Uganda, Daisy is flabbergasted by her own journey. “When I was growing up we were extremely poor. Even the poor people in our slum felt sorry for us,” she quips as she downs a passion juice at Kampala’s Cafe Mokka.

“I was born the last of six children, each with different fathers, and I never got to meet mine. We were never meant to make it out of the slums. Yet my mother worked as hard as she could to take care of her children. When I lost her to diabetes at only 15, I was devastated and sure my world was about to end.”

An unlikely candidate for fame, Daisy quickly found herself unable to meet even the simplest of financial obligations, and was soon living on the streets. Sometimes the poverty bit so hard, she had to make do with a public toilet as her overnight shelter. A benevolent pastor took her in and cared for her. But this was short lived

HOPE CHILD

as he headed out to Dubai nine months later. She hopped from one friend’s house to another and even looked out for overnight church services where she would curl up and get some shut eye.

All along Daisy knew she wanted to sing. At the age of seven she joined the children’s choir at Nakawa Baptist Church. A huge smile breaks out on her face as she recalls those early days, “I had the worst voice ever! When the music director heard me sing he broke into laughter. Somehow he persisted with me.”

Daisy was able to catch a break when she got introduced to Compassion International. There, Donald Lupuel, a kind gentleman far away in Canada, fell in love with the picture he saw of her in a sponsorship brochure and decided to take up the challenge. Sponsoring her through the next sixteen years, he supported her primary and high school education.

THE MUSIC BREAKBy this point she was seriously nurturing her talent. She had met Brian Ming, a local music manager who spotted her talent and invited her to join the music outfit Band Aroma. He initially arranged for her housing and helped her get on her feet, even as being a part of the band enabled her to start making a decent living. It was also around this time that she came across Mavuno Church.

Daisy’s uproarious laughter fills the room as she recalls this. “The honest truth is that

BY DAVID KURIA

TPF’S

I thought Mavuno was a cult. I had heard so many things about it that made me think it wasn’t for me.” Yet as fate would have it, she stumbled across the church one random

Sunday afternoon as she was strolling. One visit was all it took. She felt right at home. It wasn’t long before she signed up for Mizizi, a ten-week transformational course designed to help people connect with their purpose. She loved it!

“My Mizizi experience was amazing. Everything about it was so real. I had never encountered anything like it. It helped me understand who I was and taught me what knowing and following Christ was really about.” The people she met there eventually formed M16, her life group.

Daisy, who has been part of the rocking Mavuno worship team since 2010 adds, “Today they have become some of my closest friends and they have supported me through every stage of my life. Now we are a life group, and I can’t wait for Friday to roll by when I can meet up with them.”

In fact when it came to TPF, one of the driving forces behind her involvement was her church community. She says, “My church really rallied around me. When I came back to Kampala after TPF and turned on my phone, I was overwhelmed by the incoming text messages. My pastor really

“I had the worst voice ever! When the music director heard me sing he broke into laughter. Somehow he persisted with me”

MAVUNO LIFE 17

encouraged me, as did my life group and the rest of the community.”

THE TPF JOURNEY“How did you end up in TPF?” I ask.

She leans forward with a glimmer in her eye, “Don, my adoptive father, really got me to go. He had no clue how far I would reach but he was very supportive.” After successfully auditioning, she got a call from Nairobi informing her that the 25 shortlisted Ugandans had been whittled down to 5 and she had made the cut. Her excitement was short lived, as she entered the house and was put on probation on the show’s first week – an early exit a real possibility.

She not only survived the first week but she thrived throughout the show, often trumping fellow contestants. Week after week she came out stronger, performing hits such as John Legend’s

‘If you’re out there’, Adele’s ‘Rolling in the deep’ and Zamajobe’s ‘Ye Wena Sani.’ She says, “By the end of the show I was the only lady in the house and that was a huge achievement.”

Daisy, who was destined for abortion, with only a last minute dream from her mum intervening, saw her faith grow in the house. “Being in the house really strengthened my walk with God. It is very different when you are out in the world, but in the house not only is religion and religious talk not welcome, you cannot make attempts to influence the faith of others. If you want to pray, that is fine, but do not disturb others. However I was allowed my Bible and got really good time to pray and connect with God.”

By the time the show reached its tail end, Daisy was the darling of Uganda and had warmed her way into East Africa’s heart. With an estimated production cost of US$2 million and a television audience

spread across East and Central Africa, it was a great feat to be one of only three contestants to make it to the TPF final.

When her name was called as the first runner-up, she was prepared for it. “I didn’t feel sad, hurt or disappointed. I didn’t feel like I had lost. After all, how can I lose something that I never had? I have gained an exceptional level of exposure, and there are many opportunities now coming my way. I’m so fortunate that producers want to work with me and record labels want to sign me up.”

Daisy is now working with renowned Ugandan producer D. King and she recently released a fantastic new single titled ‘Teko’ – Lang’o for ‘strength.’

She has also plugged back in to Mavuno Kampala as a worship leader. She says, “I am a fearless influencer and I am going to fearlessly influence the world. This is just the beginning!”

“My Mizizi experience was amazing. Everything about it was so real. I had never encountered anything like it. It helped me understand who I was and taught me what knowing and following Christ was really about”


BY PASTOR KYAMA MUGAMBI

LUSAKA REGISTERS After two years of running Mizizi classes, Mavuno Lusaka was finally registered in January 2013. Pastor Charles held fort, gathering the locals who had done Mizizi and organizing them into a community, all in readiness for their incoming pastor. For some months they met in one of their homes as they also looked for a more public venue. Pastor James Muchai, his wife Dorcas and their toddler son Jabali, arrived in October, just three weeks after the church had moved to a larger venue closer to town.

RWANDA ENGAGES: Pastors Jerry and Cynthia went into Kigali, Rwanda, in September after having spent some time learning the ropes from Pastor Njoroge in Kampala, Uganda. I was very excited to see the community in Kigali rally around Pastor Jerry as he has led them into becoming grouped. They had their first service in the first weekend of November 2013. Since then they have seen a number of baptisms and even began to gatherin a venue in town as they await theirfull registration.

MALAWI TRANSFORMS: I thank God for life change in Malawi as well. Pastors Wa and Evie, along with their daughter Alexa and their infant son Ayden, travelled to Malawi in September 2013. Immediately Pastor Wa began building

on the initial groundwork by Pastor Jack Odeo, through following up on the registration logistics and contacting the Mizizi community there. Like Kigali, they too had their first service on the first weekend of November. They have been meeting in a home, as they look for a venue closer to the central business district of Blantyre – the largest business city in Malawi.

INTO AFRICAA couple of other things have been

happening behind the scenes. First a group of fearless associates have come together to cheer on, support and even travel to the various cities that God is calling Mavuno to. This is the Expansion team of associates, affectionately nicknamed ‘Seal Team 7.’ Many of these have continued to make contacts, give resources and gather information about the different cities we are traveling to. I credit this team for being co-planters together with the pastors.

2013 was the most exciting year for me at the Expansion Department. We saw God’s hand in spiritually occupying our continent and we celebrated the launch of three new Mavuno communities. Expanding

Mavuno’s MINISTRY

Secondly, in 2013 we began sensing God’s direction on the cities he would like us to consider for next year. We are prayerfully considering launching out into Johannesburg, South Africa; Gaborone, Botswana; and Harare, Zimbabwe. In each of these cities we have people encouraging us to launch out there. We also have seen the potential there to reach out with Mavuno’s experience to the many young peoplein need of the message of Christ spokenin their language.

As a matter of fact, through a series of acts of provision and God’s favour, this January Pastor Toni Mungai travelled to Johannesburg to launch the first Mizizi there.

You can join us in prayer as we step out next year into these cities. If you have any contacts, leads or would like to participate, don’t hesitate in contacting us as we launch out into these cities next year!

Expansion Department – Pastors Tim Kaburu, Grace Ndege, Edward Ondachi, Kyama Mugambi / (Center) Campus Pastors – Kevin Nderitu, Kyama Mugambi, Richard Chogo / (Right) Expansion Pastor Kyama Mugambi


There are fantasies that come with moving from a developing to a first world economy: better infrastructure,

reliable and safe public transport, and of course shopppiiiing!!! Yet there is always something to win and something to lose.

When Caroline Openda moved to Australia, arguably the world’s most secular nation, she observed something unique. Many of her peers seemed to get lost in the new culture and became apathetic to matters of faith. Why was this?

She quickly understood that the newfound freedom, lack of accountability and tempting new cultures were a bit too much for many to resist. Being far away from family, friends and other support networks took a toll on even the best of them.

Caroline wanted to solve this problem, and after trying out a couple of options she stumbled on Mizizi, a ten-week transformational course designed to help people connect with their purpose. Slowly she started meeting old friends who told her they had rekindled their faith as a result of Mizizi. She became curious to learn more about it and eventually met someone dying to do it. He managed to get his hands on a bunch of

Mizizi books and a facilitators’ training manual. Caroline was starting Mizizi Australia, yaaay!

But wait! She had never done Mizizi herself and

had no clue what to expect. Now she would be leading and introducing this 10-week life changing experience to a bunch of people in a few days! Nevertheless, she soldiered on and recruited five members for her first Mizizi class.

After the ten weeks, testimonies started pouring in. Her Mizizi graduates said that they had begun tithing and serving in their respective churches. They had learnt how to manage their monies better – paramount as they lived far from home and needed financial sustainability. Misconceptions about Christianity were corrected. They had bonded with each other over the ten weeks and had formed a life group that acted as a support network for each member. One of her graduates even spawned off a new programme from her Mizizi experience – Building Bridges, where she helps people in Sydney to connect by doing both Bible Studies as well as having social activities.

Not long after, Caroline launched her

second season of Mizizi. This time her numbers tripled. But it was a very different crowd from her first season. Most of them were university students, wore sagging pants, had piercings, tattoos, and were from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. She didn’t know it at the time, but some of them were on recreational drugs. She had taken on more than she could handle. There was only one thing she could do – pray!

The success was overwhelming. She never expected it to be so satisfying to help others. Caroline says she knew there was nothing she could do to help any of these people and so she learnt how to pray and have faith that God was the one who would do the convicting.

She was desperate for God to work in their lives. “When I prayed, God would do something beyond what I could have accomplished,” she said. “If there is one thing I learnt from Mizizi, it’s the power of prayer. But beyond that there is purpose,” she adds.

She never expected helping others would be so satisfying. She has proceeded to train the small group leaders at her Sydney church, who have gone ahead and facilitated Mizizi in their respective groups.

Job:Learningon the

Mizizi Australia

BY ENOCK CHINYENZE

Clockwise: Mizizi retreat team-building activities, Caroline Openda, A group from Caroline’s Sydney church takes on Mizizi, Second Mizizi class breaking a half-day fast.

MAVUNO LIFE 21


Campus Pastors

Berlin Pastor Daniel & Nancy Flechsig

BlantyrePastors Evie and Waweru Njenga

Lusaka Pastor James & Dorcas Muchai

Mavuno Downtown Pastors

L-R: Pastors Daniel Flechsig, Kyama Mugambi, Waweru Njenga, James Muchai, Kigwi Njoroge, Richard Chogo, Kevin Nderitu, Jerry Rawlings

Connect DepartmentPastors Chris Mukuria, Jade Gichuri,

Wycliffe Ajuang, Robert Kemboi (Missing Triza Waiyaki)

MAVUNO’S TEAMMeet Mavuno’s Dream Team. These are our pastors and Discovery team members who drive the vision.

Pastors Kevin Kilonzi, Wangui Wanjohi, Grace Wanjiru, Kevin Nderitu (Missing Ian Kibet, Osayi Onen)

MAVUNO LIFE 23

Greenhouse Team

KampalaPastorsKigwi & MiriamNjoroge

RwandaPastor Jerry & Cynthia Rawlings

Discovery Africa Team

Lifegroups Team

(L-R standing): Lawrence Kavita, Kevin Muriithi, Baraka Kimani, Wamera Otieno, Moses Githinji, Gladys Nyaga, Victor Anudo, Grace Njoroge, Elizabeth Kungu, Rachael Mbogo, Enock Chinyenze, Michaela Dreyer, Jeneatte Munyae, Cecilia Wamunyu, Julius Mwei, Louisa Matu-Muriithi, Ajwang Gogni, Timnah Githinji (L-R seated): Beatrice Ndirangu,Timothy Rucha, Grace Kuria(L-R crouching): Mordecai Njoroge, Levi Gachanja

Pastors Charles Maina, Beverly Mlale, Sam Mwaka, Anne-Marie Nakimera, Thomas Omollo, Milton Jumba (Missing - Toni Mungai)

Pastors Kirigo Mathai, Mordecai Njoroge, Eric Masheti, Cythia Otieno, Mark Nduati, Grace Kemboi

2013 would be different. At least we prayed and hoped it would. It would be the year when we as Mavunites

occupied – conquered – in our faith (spiritually), our health (working out and eating right), in our families, and yes physically by becoming land or homeowners!

And the stories started coming in… God enabled a couple to build their house in a shorter time frame than originally planned. After the series on parenting, a parent cancelled their cable subscription when they realized the undue influence of the tube. Through ministry involvement at Teenz Konnekt, a couple of our teenagers are now television hosts in our local media stations.

To top this up as at December, we had 1,350 people who had given their lives to God!

The Vision and Alignment office does exactly that: provide vision and create alignment with the whole organization. So whereas the vision (to plant a culture defining church in every capital city of Africa and the gateway cities of the world by the year 2035) and mission (turning ordinary people into fearless influencers of society) do not change, the yearly goals do as we work towards the overall strategic plan.

As a result of finding ourselves in a very precarious tenant situation, it became self evident that this was a threat serious enough to sabotage God’s call on Mavuno. It was obvious that certainty of home ownership would free the leadership and pastors of the Church to focus on the vision and mission that God has given us.

Consequently, land acquisition and moving became one of our key

goals of the year. While that did not happen in December as planned, we celebrate the fact that this is still on course for March 2014. We also celebrate the giving of the Mavuno church family, whose generosity enabled both the ministry and land acquisition processes to happen in tandem.

TransformationBut as we all know, church is not the building, land or a dome! It is the men and women – Mavunites, who faithfully attend Sunday after Sunday. The Vision and Alignment office is not only interested in the growth of the church but also in the transformation process of all those who attend and serve at Mavuno.

So in addition to the 52% growth goal for 2013, a process was put in place to ensure that more people go through our life transformation experiences fondly referred to as the ‘Mavuno Marathon.’

For our associates (volunteer leaders), we held three key annual leadership events

where they were envisioned and equipped for engagement. These are Leaders Day (usually held in March), Fearless Summit (July) and the Fearless Awards (November), a glamorous ceremony that appreciates and recognizes their achievements. I am happy to say that these events have borne fruit, managing to attract about 30% of our congregation members into active ministry engagement.

2013 was different. More people’s lives were transformed, many more gave their lives to Jesus and an even larger number became involved in ministry. What more can we say than our God is awesome, He can move the mountains, keep us in the valley, hide us from the rain?

To God be the Glory!

ADifferentYear

BY PASTOR CAROL WANJAU

(L-R) Pastors Darius Okolla, Nyambura Kamau, Enock Chinyenze, Emma Sawa, David Kuria, Carol Wanjau, Susan Mwangi


At 21 years of age, she is the youngest designer to ever grace New York’s Africa Fashion Week. She owns her

own successful fashion label and has been featured in some of Kenya’s most glamorous fashion events. Meet Sarah Mugambi, a fourth-year student at the United States International University and a worship leader at Mavuno’s teen’s church.

Throughout high school, Sarah enjoyed her art classes and drew a lot in her spare time. From abstract art to portraits, the sketches of outfits emerged as a constant in her artwork. In 2007 Sarah designed an outfit for a contestant of the Miss Msongari’s beauty pageant.

“The contestant wanted an elegant dress with good fitting. The dress also needed to be decent and modest given that the event was in a Catholic Church setting. I designed an off-the-shoulder outfit with cuff sleeves and a mermaid shaped skirt, and she won the second runner up position,” says Sarah.

InspirationSarah joined Teenz Konnekt, Mavuno’s youth church in 2011, serving in the worship team. She says, “I was attracted to the sermons and they were real topics that directly related to my life. There, we were challenged to become fearless and be the best we could be. I soon got inspiration to develop a fashion line.”

Sarah started designing clothes for her mum and her friends. Sponsored by her parents, she organized the launch of her first SaraKaray Collection at the Hilton Hotel, Nairobi, in May 2012. It consisted of thirty ladies’ outfits and six designs for men. “My friends supported the vision and volunteered to be the models, and we even managed to sell four hundred tickets,” says Sarah.

The Four Elements ThemeThe event was a great success and opened up doors for participation in Nairobi Fashion Market, Naivasha Fashion Weekend, Africa Fashion Week in New York and Fashion with a Difference in Naivasha – all full of glitz and glamour. SaraKaray fashion collections evolve around the themes of earth, air, fire and water.

“In New York I used all four themes and a lot of tribal prints for the designs. During the Naivasha fashion weekend I used wild themes, birds and flower power,” Sarah says. She has now been invited to exhibit in glitzy shows in Paris and Singapore, and has been invited back to New York’s Africa Fashion Week. She also intends to launch her 2014 collection in Nairobi, this time including a men’s line.

“Being a designer is costly and the fashion shows are expensive and require a lot of work. I pray a lot before designing my collections. I learned to pray from my mother who was my Sunday school teacher and who led me to ask Jesus into my heart when I was 13 years.” Sara has dressed personalities such as Tusker Project Fame presenter Joey Muthengi and contestant Daisy Ejang. She has also dressed Kenyan musicians Alemba and DK. Looking ahead she says, “Ten years from now I see a big SaraKaray brand store with custom made outfits as well as off-the-rack designs.”

Sarah’s tips on dressing: “Dress for your body size. Wear clothes

that flatter and hide the flaws.” Her advice to those with ideas they want to implement is, “Do not postpone and do not give up starting on your idea. Implement your ideas so that you can live a life without regrets.”

RisingStar

BY WANGECI KANYEKI AfricaFashion

WEEK’S

Sarah MugambiMAVUNO LIFE 25

Theatre, dancing, singing and painting are expressions of art that are fast becoming the centre of

today’s children’s education. This is a far cry from the kind of learning

that renowned actress Sue Wanjiru went through. Although she fell in love with the arts at a young age, her parents had other ideas for her career. She ended up studying to be an accountant, and is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya.

Sue’s return to her passion began back in 2009, after she had been invited to Mavuno Church to audition for a role in the annual Christmas musical –Village

BY ESTHER MWANIKI

Christmas. She later signed up for Mizizi, a ten-week transformational course designed to help people connect with their purpose. It was there that she discovered her love for children and it wasn’t long before she started volunteering at Greenhouse, Mavuno’s children’s church.

There she noticed how creative the children were and desired to harness these talents. She wanted children to have the opportunity to explore the love for art. This led Sue to form a Greenhouse drama club, known as Lokhem (Hebrew for warrior), whose vision is to discover, equip and help children achieve greatness.

As a first activity, the club organized a concert that was received very well by audiences. With that success, the club planned a second concert with the proceeds this time going towards Count Me In (CMI) – Mavuno’s invitation to settle into its own home. This wasn’t at all easy, after leaving her accounting career, stringing businesses had been tough and she found herself living from hand to mouth. She needed the money.

GIVING WHEN IT HURTSShe gave anyway. “Mavuno is home for me and this is where I have grown spiritually from being religious to having a

personal relationship with God. As a result, giving towards CMI felt right. If it is for other people like me to discover God and their purpose, then that’s why I did it,” said Sue.

The show was the beginning of greater things. They have since had a series of other concerts. Lokhem has also launched a kid’s magazine that tells the stories of how the children are discovering themselves and engaging their talents. Sue says, “My highlight is when a kid calls me in the middle of the day just to tell me that they love me.” One parent says that her children’s exposure to art and being nurtured in talent has led to better academic performance in school.

Sue, who is an exceptional stage, television and film actress, renown for her lead role in the critically acclaimed ‘Something Necessary,’ is appreciative of her church family. She says, “What still amazes me is the support I’ve received from the Mavuno family. Lokhem has so many volunteers who help coach the kids and are all from Mavuno.”

Her team is growing, and has everything from volunteer writers for the magazine and psychologists who work with the kids, to tutors who nurture their talents. Her dream is to reach all kids in Kenya and Africa and equip them for greatness.

Sue has come to realize that when we step out in obedience and surrender our dreams to God, He takes our small dreams and makes them bigger than we would have ever imagined. She knows this is just the beginning.

Lokhemgeneration

fearlessacreating

Sue Wanjiru

Sue with the Greenhouse kids


to aVISIONGiving

BY CHRIS LYIMO

(Top left) Mavunites preparing for Hill City; (Above) Wangui Kagiri and her daughter Joy

MAVUNO LIFE 29

She returned home in 2008 after studying in the United States where she had a memorable church

experience that deeply impacted her spiritual growth. On her return to Nairobi, Kenya, Wangui Kagiri, a.k.a. Kagz, began hunting for a similar church that would inspire and invoke faith. Several of her friends told her about Mavuno but all she heard from them was ‘hype and more hype’ and therefore did not bother to attend.

One evening, an old friend visited her at home and shared Mavuno’s mission – turning ordinary people into fearless i nfluencers of society – and that the target was to reach the un-churched ordinary folk who did not find church relevant to their lives. She was quite intrigued and decided to visit… and she liked it! Some of the highlights were time keeping, beautiful decor and excellence in service delivery. “I’ll be back,” she said to herself.

PLUGGING INKagz soon learnt about Mizizi (a ten-week transformational course designed to help people connect with their purpose) and, though skeptical about the difference it would make in her life because she had been a Christian for many years, she signed on anyway. Mizizi was no ordinary Christian experience. The realness and openness of her facilitator and classmates changed her attitude completely. Before she knew it, Kagz attended yet another life changing experience offered at Mavuno – Lea – an intentional parenting course, and is now serving as a facilitator.

Mavuno made her appreciate excellence around ministry. The church has continually exemplified all these and more for her. Kagz was therefore already sold to the vision of the church when it was announced we would be moving to a new property in Hill City.

COUNT ME INKagz pledged her first amount in the Count Me In campaign (aimed at helping Mavuno acquire a property and begin to position the ministry towards greater influence in the city) and she planned to pay it off in five monthly installments. While she acknowledged that fulfilling her pledge would not be easy, the last thing she needed to hear was a sermon by Reverend Kwame Rubadiri on ‘giving will cost you.’ Following this sermon, she realized that though her pledge was a large amount, one she had never given before, it was still not stretching enough. For this reason she decided to double it!

Even as she did this, Kagz had what she thought was a solid plan for fulfilling her pledge. Unbeknown to her, God had already scripted it differently. Her plan was to pay off her pledge through her annual company bonus. But lo and behold! For the first time in over 25 years of the company’s existence, there would be no bonuses that year.

At about the same time she felt she needed to resign from formal employment to pursue other interests. She had several discussions with her line manager on the same and even took a 3-week holiday to reflect on her decision. When she returned back to the office, she was even more convinced she wanted out and was glad to hear a rumor of an upcoming retrenchment. Kagz prayed to God for her name to be included in the list and she was delighted when it happened. Several senior managers tried to convince her to stay on including offering her other attractive roles but she declined. She was later to receive a severance amount larger than her anticipated bonus and immediately gave the one million Kenya shillings (US$11,600) she had pledged.

SEEDS OF DOUBTLater in 2013, the church leadership

approached the Mavuno congregation again

with an appeal to fulfill their pledges and, if so compelled, to also consider giving an additional amount. Kagz was moved by the sincerity and honesty in the appeal and she concluded that if she was able to give a million, God would enable her to give yet another million so she quickly filled out a new pledge card.

A week later a wave of discouragement swept over her. She felt that perhaps she had filled the pledge card out of emotion rather than logic. Doubt began to creep in and at this point Kagz started questioning the rationale of the move. Did we really need the 20 acres? Who moves from a rented property to own such a huge property in one go? Had she really heard from God? She did not feel like giving and in prayer she acknowledged she was grappling with the obedience issue.

Kagz, recipient of the Servant Leader of the Year award at Mavuno’s 2013 Fearless Awards, sought counsel and prayer from one of the pastors. Soon after she felt a sure and certain peace settle in her heart.

To fulfill her second pledge, she resolved to recall a deposit she had paid on a house she really liked. Fortunately, she hadn’t signed a sale agreement. The property agent thought she was insane because the then off-plan property had already appreciated in value. He gave her some considerations to think through and while at it there was a temptation to delay payment, given the church relocation date had also moved from December 2013 to March 2014. However she felt that delaying the payment would also delay blessings to the church, the community and also to herself. Kagz returned to the property agent to get her refund and on 26 January 2014 she fulfilled her second pledge of yet another million.

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS“I’m amazed God has enabled me to give such a huge amount! I am truly humbled,” she says. “I believe in Mavuno and what God is doing here. I also believe in transformation.” While at university over 10 years ago, Kagz remembers fervently praying to God to enable her become a kingdom financier. That it has come to pass in her life is the work of an awesome and faithful God.

Impractical. Absurd. Impossible. Three words that encapsulate the journey Mavuno Church embarked on in early 2012. In order to accomplish the vision God gave us to ‘Change the City - Take the Continent - Win the World,’ we would require a base of operations – a space from where a fearless army would be trained

The Conversation

BeginsThe senior pastor

and leadership share the vision to settle into our own home and create a global headquarters for

the movement with Mavuno’s associates and congregation.

and deployed to the ends of the earth to fearlessly influence the world.

Requiring the goodwill and participation of our entire congregation, and needing to raise an astronomical amount of money, we embarked on our most challenging project yet: purchasing a property for our global headquarters

and relocating our central campus there. There began the journey to the impossible!

Here now is a snapshot of that journey. This is our year to Step Out! And our prayer is that as God calls you to accomplish great things in your life, your own faith would be bolstered to trust in the God of the impossible.

2012 SNAPSHOT

Leaders’ DayMavuno’s leaders from the various

Nairobi campuses meet and

engage in robust conversations regarding the

future of Mavuno, and how to raise the resources for

the vision.

Vision NightsCongregation

members readily attend numerous intimate evenings hosted by Pastor

Muriithi to engage in candid

conversations regarding our

future as a church.

A Month of Highs and Lows

In the same month we celebrate achieving the

Ksh50 million(USD 580,000)

target in our capital campaign, we receive the disheartening news that

the landowners have withdrawn the

sale offer. We enter an intense season of prayer

and fasting.

New OfferTabled

At the culmination of #3For3, our

season of prayer, the Development Team returns with

a new land offer that is, in terms of price and location, significantly better.

The God of the impossible is

at work!

TWENDE Mavuno3.0 Tours

Three successful tours to our

potential home are organized involving the staff, Mavuno

associates and the congregation.

JAN MAR APR-JUN AUG OCT NOV-

DEC

HILL CITY…AND THE GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE


MAVUNO LIFE 31

100 Million… and Counting

We continue to be astounded by

the faithful giving of God›s people, as we celebrate

the Ksh100 million (USD1.16

million) milestone in our capital campaign efforts. Surely the Lord is with us!

OccupationDay 1

Over 650 men, women and

children from our various campuses (Central, MDT, Mashariki and

Kampala) attend a workday on the property where

they clear the land, plant trees and pray over our new home.

Land ownersat last!

We celebrate a real God moment

in our services when Pastor

Anthony Mwaniki presents the

recently acquired title deed to the new property.

#NameYourCampus

The #NameYourCampus campaign involves the congregation

in selecting a name for Mavuno’s Central Campus. Welcome, ladies

and gentlemen, to Mavuno Hill City.

GroundBreaking

We celebrate another milestone during our second Occupation

Day, as we finally break ground at Hill City, and commission the

contractors to start the work. However with

time winding down we hit a major snag, as we are unable to receive the relevant building

approvals.

US$ 1.74MAnother celebratory moment as our fund

raising efforts hit the Ksh. 150M (US$

1.74M) mark. It’s the same month the contractors get a go to start, as we finally receive the necessary

approvals to begin development. March

2nd is set as our relocation date

D-DayThrough numerous ups and downs, the journey to Hill City is set to climax with our launch service in March 2014. Not by might, nor by power, but by Spirit says the Lord - Zechariah 4:6

2013 SNAPSHOT

2014 SNAPSHOT

JUN JUL JUL AUG NOVMAR

MAR

COUNT ME INCapital Campaign Target (Ksh)

350 millionAmount raised to date (Ksh)

183,777,343.55

Having attended church for a long time, 24-year-old Nduta Waidhima had reached saturation point in her spiritual life. She got the conviction that she needed to start doing something. “I was tired of constantly receiving and never giving out,” says Nduta. “I was restless. I felt compelled to give back to society.”

“The sermon series Haters No More by Pastor Kevin Nderitu and Finishing Strong by Pastor Kyama Mugambi at Mavuno Downtown (MDT) seemed tailored for me, and the conviction grew bigger and bigger. Reading through the book Engaging the City by Reverend Linda Ochola-Adolwa inspired me to understand how to effectively meet societal need.”

As a result she examined what she had in her hands. She adds, “I liked working

It started as a strong burden to do something for the community. It ended up being the most amazing Christmas for many children across Nairobi.

Nduta Waidhima

12Days ofChristmas

BY WANGECI KANYEKI


with children so I decided I would help children’s homes and work with friends to fulfil these needs. Even though I felt small, I told God that if He really wanted me to do this He would need to bring the right people into my life.”

TEAMING UPIn 2013 Nduta began acquiring the necessary leadership skills by getting involved in Simama Outreach, a program run by television presenter and MDT’s own Faith Muturi, which provides mentorship and career guidance to teenagers in informal settlements.

The Simama team leaders, together with six other committed friends formed the core team for the 12 Days of Christmas initiative, a venture that would seek to make a difference in children’s lives by visiting 12 children’s institutions in 12 days and catering to their needs during the Christmas season.

After three planning meetings and a number of pre-visits, the team identified 12 underprivileged homes in Nairobi and listed down their main requirements.

The needs included food items, clothes, schoolbooks and stationery, uniforms, toiletries and sanitary towels. The 12 homes were Mama Fauzia’s home (Kasarani), Good Samaritan’s home (Mathare), Mama Fatuma Children’s home (Eastleigh), Soul Mercy Home (Kariobangi) and others in Zimmerman, Kinoo, Limuru and Gumba.

Homes like Future Hope Children’s Home in Marurui needed movers to facilitate their relocation to Thika, where they also required construction material such as iron sheets and nails to build their new facility for the children. A non-governmental organisation called Kunavijana committed to help them build sustainable structures using partitioned containers.

FUNDRAISINGThe experience of raising funds was amazing. God showed up and touched people’s hearts to give towards meeting the needs. Each home required an average of Ksh12,000 (US$140) with bigger homes requiring a lot more. Tour

guide Alfred Mainye donated his van to help carry the donated items to the various homes while others gave cash and gifts.

Nduta says, “The targeted needs for each home were met as they received favour for each visit. Receiving the Mavuno Down Town’s fearless Influencer award 2013 gave me a lot of publicity. The highlight for the 2013 event was the Christmas party at the Kenyatta National Hospital children’s ward. I even got a television interview on AM Live with Koby and Sheila Mwanyiga who donated a cake for the Christmas party at the children’s ward.”

Nduta recalls fondly, “We may not have managed to pay their bills but we sure cheered them up. As we continue the 12 days of Christmas events we hope to make it bigger and better with more opportunities for corporates and individuals to sponsor. Our inspiration comes from Hebrews 6:10 which says, God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

Assorted images from the various Christmas activities

MAVUNO LIFE 33

Olang’: Allow me to get straight to a question that has been burning me for a very long time…

Mwendie: (laughs) Go ahead!

Olang’: At the start of all this, were you ever so slightly worried that you may have been ahead of your time with the idea behind Groove Theory?

Mwendie: It was definitely a first of its kind in Africa. The key thing for us was not about being the first. For us, it was more about executing a new concept – new, yet not unfamiliar. The idea behind having a musical drama is something that we’ve been exposed to, although no one had stepped up to take it on for the Kenyan audience. It was more about being a pacesetter, seeing as we as Kijiji have been called to define culture.

BY MARCUS OLANG’

Olang’: Why a musical drama in particular? What made you believe that you could actually pull off such a production?

Mwendie: It actually began 8 years ago with the very first Village Christmas, which was essentially a talent show for all: musicians, singers, poets, actors, etc. From the very beginning, we’ve sought to take anyone we interact with on a journey that would allow us to communicate kingdom values in an entertaining way. The fact that Kijiji’s roots are firmly in music sees to it that everything we do has a musical touch to it.

Olang’: Having mentioned Village Christmas, was Groove Theory a natural transition or was it part of the plan from the very beginning?

Mwendie: It’s been a God journey, really. I can’t say that we saw it coming. In all this, God has ordered our steps – even evidenced by how we came to this partnership with Zuku (a local TV and Internet service provider). One thing people do not realise is that Zuku are the largest content producers in the market. They are big believers in what we have. Such is their belief in this production that the team is Kenyan. They also love big ideas, and the idea behind Groove Theory proved to be a natural fit for both of us.

BEHIND THE LENS:

Groove Theory is a musical drama series directed for stage and shot for television. It is a co-production of Kijiji Entertainment and Zuku, and airs on Zuku Africa every Wednesday at 8:30pm, on Channel 100.

I recently caught up with Mwendie Mbugua, Head of Production at Kijiji Entertainment. Here’s a snippet of the chat we had.

Kijiji Entertainment’s Mwendi Mbugua


They have the medium, they can choose and define content, and they chose to partner with us. It was nothing short of a God transition.

Olang’: Thus far, I’d imagine you’ve encountered a good number of obstacles along the way. What has been your favourite challenge?

Mwendie: Oh, the planning. Definitely the planning. We’re bringing together two worlds – theatre and TV – and fusing them into one. Despite this, it’s been absolutely fantastic especially because of the hugely talented cast and crew that joined hands with us on this. At the same time, bringing

all these minds together to understand ‘the what’ and ‘the why’ behind Groove Theory was a challenge in itself. It took a lot more time than expected, but the end result was absolutely worth it.

Olang’: Is there a particular endgame with Groove Theory?

Mwendie: We have incredible hopes for local, continental and international consumption of Groove Theory. We have the foundation, the excellence, the skills… and we want it to be HUGE! I mean, The Bold and The Beautiful has been running for as long as any of us can remember – there’s absolutely no reason why the same can’t happen for Groove Theory! In fact, we already have a few other networks expressing interest in working with us, so we see it only getting bigger and better!

Olang’: Why such faith?

Mwendie: Groove Theory is a story about life, a story filled with emotion. The infusion of music into the very life of the script allows us to communicate in an unlimited number of ways. And it’s not just about TV – we’re also hoping to put such a production up on stage at least once a year, as we grow our

pool of talent as well as give other audiences a chance to interact with these stories of life.

Olang’: I’m sure some people have come to you asking, “Can’t you do something different with Groove Theory? Like something a little more Kenyan?”

Mwendie: Every time we do something new, we are open to have people come and contribute their thoughts. We listen to them, yet we also know that the fact that they have something to say means that there has been some sort of connection. Being in media, it’s all about making that connection. As long as we have you talking, we know we’ve achieved some level of connection – which is always better than nothing!

Olang’: Excellent! Now, you have one chance to sign off. Take it away!

Mwendie: We’re stepping out, and we’re not easing off until we’ve taken over! We’re living by one drive alone: “To create culture-defining entertainment for all!”

Images of the Groove Theory cast on set MAVUNO LIFE 35

@KWELIMediaKWELI

Magazine KWELI TV KWELI

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All words you would associate with rugby. But the picture is not complete without words such as booze, late nights, partying and bars galore.

So you can imagine my surprise when I discovered that Mavuno is home to top-flight rugby players and administrators who are influencing how the sport is played and managed. My jaw dropped when I learnt that they all serve in high impact areas in Mavuno’s life-group ministry. I had to interview them and find out what makes them tick. How does their Christian walk align with a seemingly contrasting sport? Has rugby made them who they are or are they shaping rugby?

Fearless InfluencersRUGBY’SRough, sweaty, testosterone,action and adrenaline.

BY CHRIS LYIMO

Perhaps out of common courtesy, or plain curiosity, let’s let the lady go first. I have heard of women’s rugby, though I am yet to watch them play.

For Nekesa Were, her brothers let her go for rugby as long as they were there. The camaraderie between the players gave rise to a character reliability that even Nekesa’s mum could count on. She could and would trust that Nekesa was in good hands when in the company of her brothers and rugby friends.

Nekesa has been the team manager of the Women’s National Rugby Team, both the 15-aside and 7-aside squads in 2008, where her mandate included adjudicating any problems that may arise amongst team members, parents, the coach and supporters, as well as ensuring availability of kit and equipment, and organising local and

LADIES FIRST: NEKESA Were

Rugby Highlights:Coach Kenya 7’s Ladies , Coach Kenya 15’s , tournament Director (Bamburi Super Series) , Chairperson (Mean Machine RFC Old Boys Alumni Network)

Mavuno:Life group Coach

international travel. It also included ensuring player welfare and safety requirements were met.

She has also provided leadership in logistical, venue and tournament support for various high profile tournaments, among them the 2007-2010 Safari Sevens (now Safaricom Sevens), Rugby Super Series, and the Junior World Rugby Trophy. Nekesa has also been chair of the Mean Machine Old Boys Alumni Network – 2007-2010.

She confidently asserts that her role is to provide solutions, get the job done and have mad love for the game.

“Any Christian connection?” I ask.“Several players are Christian and

unashamedly so. And there is no conflict or compromising their integrity.”it is at the same rugby circles where she met her husband, Daudi. >>

MAVUNO LIFE 37

He has often had to wade through queries of friends confused at having seen him at church and later on the same day at rugby. For him it is simply the love of the game.

Daudi Were started playing at primary school, where he captained St. Andrew’s Turi primary and high school rugby teams. He later moved to the UK on an academic scholarship for A’ Levels, and proceeded to play for Leighton Park RFC, where he was selected for the Berkshire County School’s squad. He also played for the University of Manchester RFC team before injury forced him to quit.

He is now involved and responsible for developing, planning and deploying the technology strategy for various rugby tournaments, including the Junior World Cup Trophy in Nairobi (the first International Rugby Board tournament to be held in Africa outside South Africa), Rugby Super Series, and for the last six years, the prestigious Safaricom Sevens.Let’s meet his life-group coach. >>

Ken Kimani appreciates that young Christians may grapple with balancing the conflict between the world of rugby and faith. Yet he sees the connection between rugby and his Christian walk as seamless and deliberate. He is involved in a rugby players’ fellowship where he implores team captains to ask the fundamental question of their role: “How do I become a leader of men and leavea legacy?”

To navigate this conversation, he believes one must be the best rugby player he or she can be, do what needs to be done to achieve that, and only then can one humbly boast of a great life. He has also impacted how the game is played. Ken recalls players always praying before and after major games, and they would always receive the payment of their allowances after the game weekend in order to keep them away from

The hubby: Daudi Were

Rugby Highlights:st. andrew’s turi, Leighton Park rFC, university of Manchester rFC. technological support (Junior Rugby World Cup, Rugby Super Series, Safari Sevens)


THE LG Coach: Ken Kimani

mischief.During the 2013 Safaricom Sevens,

a rugby spectacle with a record 40,000 fans, he and his life group, together with Kijiji Entertainment, a Frontline Initiative headed by Kanjii Mbugua, took on the challenge to influence the way rugby after parties were done.

It was about entertainment rather than the usual debauchery and decadence often associated with rugby tournament after parties. In the long term he concedes that more will need to be done in that area.

Ken has played at the highest club level, both with Barclays RFC and later Nondies RFC, where he has served as club vice-chairman. He has also been the chair of the SDV-Transami Cheetahs, a conglomeration of elite clubs such as Impala RFC, Homeboyz RFC and his beloved Nondies RFC.Let’s meet his best man at his wedding. >>

Rugby Highlights:Lenana school, barclays rFC, nondies rFC., Vice Chair-nondies rFC (2007-2009), Chair sDV transami Cheetahs (2010-2012)

Mavuno:Life group Coach; Development Team


Kanyi Gitonga’s sporting CV convinced me that rugby is a career, a vocation, a calling, and a passion in motion. Being a life-group leader is certainly not accidental.

He, like Daudi, begun his rugby career at St George’s Primary School albeit without a coach. Thankfully he joined Strathmore School where rugby was compulsory but had to shelve it at Alliance High School to concentrate on his A’ level studies.

Kanyi joined the University of Nairobi to study architecture and also signed up to play for the University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine rugby team. In what seemed to be a trending theme, he played again without a coach. He and his teammates had to rely on watching videotapes of games – a trait that has made him one of the most technically and tactically sound coaches today.

THE BEST MAN:

THE TEAMMATE:

KANYI GITONGA

ALAN HICKS

Rugby Highlights:alliance high school, Mean Machine rFC, Kenya 7’s, Kenya 15’s, Coach nondies rFC.


Rugby Highlights:st. Mary’s, Kenya 7’s, Kenya 15’s, nondies rFC (Club Secretary), nondies rFC (Assistant Coach)

Mavuno:Life group Zonal Leader

A pillar of excellence, he accomplished the delicate balance of passing his exams and maintaining a regular training and playing schedule at Mean Machine. Rugby has not only availed an opportunity to travel but also to appreciate what the game means to different people around the world. He went on to play for the national team in both the 15s and 7-aside formats, with the crowning moment of his international career being the World Cup qualifier semi-final game against Namibia in 2000.

Kanyi went on to acquire coaching certification in 2003 and is now the coach for Nondescripts RFC. Coaching became the avenue to give back to rugby what he had received. Let’s talk to his former Kenya 7’s teammate. >>

Alan Hicks found that engaging in the game made a significant difference in his outlook on life. It was an avenue to expend his excess energy, and St. Mary’s School proved to be just the place for that. For Hicks, rugby has been an access to leadership development, has trained him in effective teamwork and holistic discipline, and has been a stepping-stone to a fulfilling Christian walk.

Having played for the Kenya 7’s and 15’s sides, he is well known for being the youngest player at the Rugby World Cup Sevens Tournament. Alan surmises that his attitude towards training largely formed his value of commitment and punctuality. Rugby provided an opportunity to travel, and though he no longer plays full-time, he is involved in providing administrative support for Nondies RFC, where he has served as the longest serving club secretary, and is now the assistant team coach under Kanyi Gitonga.

At Mavuno, Alan is not only responsible for 15 Life Group coaches, he is also in the life-group strategic team.

MAVUNO LIFE 39


In 2013 we hit several milestones in our journey to purchase and move to our new home.

Key amongst the milestones was the completion of the land purchase process in May. Words cannot fully describe the joy of holding in my hands the title deed for Mavuno’s first property, our Hill City Campus. It was a joy to have our members go out to the property to plant trees and to celebrate the ground

We set out to

BY ANTHONY MWANIKI

breaking in August of 2013. We definitely fulfilled the 2013 mandate to ‘Occupy.’

We have continued to be amazed at the generosity of God’s people here at Mavuno, which has sustained our journey. To date we as a community have raised Ksh183.7 million (US$2.1 million) towards our move. This is over and above tithes and offerings that have ensured that our ministry work continues. We thank God for this wonderful community.

‘occupy’… and we did!

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTHWe have also continued strengthening our systems and have been able to improve and grow them to support our vision. Though a year of great victories, it has not been without its challenges from an operational and personal level. I would like to commend this team not only

for exceptional results in stewarding our resources, but also for the unity of purpose that has enabled us to work together to overcome the challenges we have faced.

In 2013 we took possession of our land. I look forward to a 2014 of growth in all our campuses. It is our year to expand and to influence. I remain confident of God’s favour as we seek to be partners in the extension of His kingdom.

Mavuno’s Operations DepartmentPastors Peter Kabuki, Catherine Koki, Duncan Mukangai, Peter Musyoki, June Ranja, Joy Mutua, Grace Mwaniki, Nancy Mukabi, Lydia Jedlizza, (Across - John Mwisa)


Many Christians today move from church to church looking for an experience to help them become everything that God created them to be.

RESOURCESMAVUNO

The marathon series is a set of ten-week transformational courses that can help any church turn every member into a high-impact society influencer. As they go through the exciting discipleship pathway simply known as The Marathon, individual Christians experience tangible life-transformation. The result is high energy and passion in the church, high levels of ministry involvement and ultimately, major positive impact by the church on society. For those interested in learning about how to engage others in the marathon, please contact [email protected].

MIZIZI: Plugging Into Your God-Purpose The first experience in the marathon series, Mizizi (Swahili for ‘Roots’) is tailor- made to help people connect with God, their local church and their purpose. In the process, the believer forms genuine, lifelong friendships with like-minded people who will support their faith journey and builds personal practices that will continue to help them grow in faith. Mizizi is authored by Muriithi Wanjau.

HATUA: Raising Your Faith to RelevanceHatua is the fourth experience book in the marathon series. Even though many of us have a heart to influence society, our desires often remain at the level of sentiment. Hatua creates the basis for every individual to understand God’s heart for our society and to identify their particular area of engage. HATUA is authored by Linda Ochola-Adolwa

SIMAMA: Victory Over Personal Struggles Simama (Swahili for ‘Stand’) is the second experience in the Marathon Series. Done by people in their Life Groups, Simama is designed to help believers deal with the hidden personal & family issues that often sabotages leaders as they seek to make a difference. Simama is co-authored by Muriithi and Carol Wanjau.

OMBI: Making Prayer An Adventure Ombi (Swahili for ‘Prayer’) is the third experience in the marathon series. It is designed to help believers in their Life Groups engage the most powerful force in the universe in order to bring transformation in their sphere of influence including their families, workplaces, neighborhoods and churches. OMBI is authored by Simon Mbevi.

MARATHON RESOURCES

Sermon Series are available for download at www.mavunochurch.org

Exercising Your Way To Financial Fitness Every Christian needs to become an expert kingdom money-manager! Through this book, you will learn important principles such as? Why God wants you to be wealthy, how to get out of debt, how to take control of money so that it helps you to achieve your God-given purpose and how to build wealth steadily and surely. Let this book start you off on the journey towards attaining the wealth you need to carry out your Kingdom

MORE RESOURCES

Engaging The City This book challenges the middle class assumption that we can continue to be successful while the majority of the city languishes in poverty. Using contemporary examples, it helps believers see from scriptures that prosperity cannot continue unless we all take responsibility for the city we live in. Get this book and see how responsibility to turn the city around begins with our neighborhoods and our places of work.

NDOAA 10-week interactive and experiential marriage preparation and enrichment course. Filled with humor and lots of personal examples, and tackling practical marriage issues, this book and the accompanying course will equip both aspiring and married couples with the skills and knowledge it takes to build a strong and lasting marriage - the real ‘happily ever after’. Many couples invest a lot in their wedding which lasts for a day but very little in their marriage which should last for a lifetime. Ndoa seeks to change this equation!

Defining MomentThis book is about a journey with a beginning and an end, daring to pioneer: to begin well, progress well and finish well. Pioneering or initiating is not the work of ordinary and easy going folks. It is for those willing to make major contributions and leave legacies; a domain of those willing to sacrifice their comfort zones, to enter the hot spot in the church, organization or nation. Dare to pioneer.

by Mutheu & Akatsa Anzaya

LEALEA is a 10-week interactive course that helps you understand yourself as you parent your child, understand your child and understand fundamental parenting principles during the various life stages. The responsibility of spiritual nurturing lies with the parent, not the Sunday school teacher, youth pastor or school teacher. The role of the church is to support the parent. Lea teaches parents how to make the essential investments in order to build character, wisdom and essential life skills in their child.

BOYS 2 MENThis is a mentoring curriculum for boys who will grow up to be responsible men, and for their dads or dad-alternatives to mentor them through the transition. In here you will find a clear definition of masculinity, an explanation of the stages of manhood and a guide to transition from boyhood into manhood. We believe that healthy masculinity determines social stability. This is a course all boys and their dads/ mentors need!

Gideon’s Action God transformed Gideon from a fearful young man into a mighty warrior who not only led his family to freedom but delivered the nation from the oppressive hand of the enemy as well. Gideon’s Action will help you understand and deal with foundational and generational bondages at home. T his is a simple guide to praying effectively for our beloved ones. Read it and act on its content, and you and your family will be never be the same!

mavuno life - volume 005 - february 2014

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