My name is Rose Wangui Maigua, and I worked as a STEM Staff at Kisii CUs.
It took me some time to process the invitation to ministry, especially about going to Kisii. God clarified the call during Staff Orientation & Training in a devotion titled “A Call to Believe”. That was the beginning of my faith being rooted in Christ deeper. My prayer life has been molded and my devotions have become consistent. I am able to read the word of God with a better understanding. I have a conviction of living for Christ alone.
My public skills have been sharpened; now I have good composure and I can address the public with more ease. Before STEM, I used to panic in front of audiences and that would hinder me from delivering effectively. My training and writing skills have also been improved.
STEM has helped me grow a reading culture and be more disciplined to read books to the end. I have seen the fruits of this and I really want to maintain the discipline. Reading has continued to build my communication, and perspectives on issues useful for my life and ministry. The knowledge and skills I have gained will be essential in the next phase of career advancement and when I join the corporate world.
I want to thank Almighty God for showering me with His unending grace throughout this experience. He has kept assuring me of His unending love even when I wander from His presence. I am thankful to FOCUS Kenya for the opportunity to take part in student ministry. STEM gave me opportunities for exposure, experience, networking, and building friendships.
A special thanks to my team leader, who has continually mentored me. I am grateful to Kisii FOCUS Associate, Kisii University students, and KMTC Kisii students who became like family to me. I want to thank my partners and friends who have supported me financially, morally, and also with their prayers.
As I engage in transition out of STEM, I hope to fan these flames of zealous service. The Lord has been faithful in STEM and I am hopeful for the days ahead.
God bless you. Shalom.
I am Susan Kathure, the stem staff at Kitale and Kapenguria CUs.
I joined STEM with many expectations among them including growth in all aspects of my life. In my introverted nature, it has never been easy to initiate conversations. It was my desire to grow meaningful relationships with students, associates, partners, and colleagues for effective ministry. I thank God for my growth and improvement in my interpersonal, public speaking, personal organization, and communication skills. Engaging with students on matters affecting them in various aspects of their lives came in so handy in shaping my listening skills. God used the students to teach me to listen with an open and empathetic heart.
In the beginning, the eight months of STEM seemed like such a long time. Looking back, it was such a short time of great opportunities to learn and unlearn, train and be trained, mentor and preach the gospel. I have bonded with the students in North Rift Region and more closely with those in Kitale and Kapenguria CUs. I am convinced that these moments have shaped me into a better student and teacher of the word of God and put Christ at the center of every teaching. I believe that each skill and value acquired during my STEM Journey will help me be a better fit in God’s service in each and every sphere of influence now and in the future.
I have learned patience with other people and myself. Throughout the STEM journey, it has been a journey of embracing people of different personalities. This was greatly facilitated by a reflection from 1 Kings 3:9 during our staff devotions where Solomon asks God for wisdom to lead God’s great people. This gave me the conviction that I am serving God’s people and I should do that with a lot of patience.
I am grateful to God for my family, teammates, associates, students, and partners whom without, my STEM journey wouldn’t be a success. Their prayers and financial support throughout my STEM journey were beneficial. May the cups of my partners never run out but have an overflow. May they also never tire to support the ministry. I will forever be indebted for the opportunity to serve among students in FOCUS Kenya. I pray that the ministry to students will always bear fruits in institutions of higher learning and in the whole society at large.
A special prayer goes to my team leader for being very present and resourceful throughout my STEM Journey. May our good Lord renew his strength every morning and the zeal and dedication and the labor in God’s vineyard be highly rewarded. May God keep providing to FOCUS and expand the ministry among students.
Shalom.
I am Thomas Mwendwa Mutinda, the staff in Kabete CUs; UON Upper Kabete, Kabete National Polytechnic and AHITI Kabete CUs.
I had not foreseen the STEM program affecting all aspects of my life. It has transformed how I think and respond to life.
The apprenticeship program has made me a better leader and believer. I have learned to trust the Lord as the owner of the work and the workers. That has convinced me beyond doubt to trust in Him in every way and to depend fully on Him for He is faithful.
The principles and skills I have gained from STEM are immeasurable. First, I have learned skills of resource mobilization for ministry. Also, my leadership skills including lobbying skills, interpersonal skills, and communication skills have also been shaped in the best way. Dealing with Executive committees, sub-committees, students from the 3 CUs, and also associates has made me appreciate the diversity of life and of people. Knowing how to balance the diversities was a skill of leadership not taught but learned through experience. I was not exposed to public speaking as a student but now, my confidence has been raised to another level.
Being keen on sound doctrine has become fundamental in my life and ministry. This has transformed my perspectives significantly. My private world is more ordered and there is a clear vision of what awaits me after the program. These skills, convictions, and disciplines gained in STEM will be of great benefit to me, my society, and the corporate world.
I acknowledge the support from my family during my ministry. My team leader’s corrections, affirmations, rebukes, guidance, and concern have enabled great growth. Also, I acknowledge my partners who supported me morally, spiritually, and financially. You made my STEM journey enjoyable. The teammates in this cohort have been a gift from God. Above all, glory be to God who enabled me. Surely I can say, He is Ebenezer. I pray that the disciplines installed in my life will last forever and I will serve the Lord faithfully.
Thank you and God bless FOCUS Kenya.
My name is Sylvia Mutinda. I have served as the STEM Administrator and the STEM staff to KIST and KTTC Christian unions. My second term in STEM came with anxieties. I was uncertain about coping with the demands of administrative work, engaging with the new STEM Staff, and the change of environment. Looking back, I am grateful that God’s grace has been sufficient.
My term was packed with administrative support work in the STEM Office as the STEM Administrator. I have learned that I am God’s witness in every place God places me, even in an office. I spent Thursdays and weekends with students at KIST and KTTC. It was very exciting and fulfilling to engage in the gospel and watch them grow in Faith and Leadership. I enjoyed the BEST-P sessions in KIST, especially when students asked questions and we searched the scriptures for truth. The training sessions and meetings enabled more organizational effectiveness in the CUs. It has been a great joy to see leaders grow themselves and their service. I am grateful for the warmth and friendship of these teams. May they continue to be rooted and built up in Christ until the day of the Lord.
Among the networks that kept me engaged in STEM were my partners who have selflessly supported me in prayers and financial support throughout the year. Through their support, I was able to effectively handle my ministry tasks. The phone calls and their responses to ministry updates made me confident that I was not doing this alone. May God bless each of them and continue to meet their needs according to His riches in glory.
In the office, I got a chance to interact with many FOCUS staff. I admired their way of life. By watching them I was challenged to serve faithfully, surrender my will to God, pursue godliness, and seek fellowship in the community. I will dearly miss them. My team leader has been instrumental in guiding me. Her wise advice, conduct, and handling of God’s word have impacted my life. These interactions have enabled me to grow in bible exposition, to be diligent in service, and to reach out to others.
Through the STEM program, I have learned personal discipline, gained interpersonal skills and I have grown in my administrative and organizational skills. I have been stretched in different aspects but these pushed me on a journey of self-discovery and a reliance on God’s help to carry me through all circumstances. I know that ministry can only stream from a heart that has been with God and this made me treasure my personal devotions.
Indeed, the Lord is faithful, to call and to make men as He desires. The time I have been in FOCUS Kenya has shaped me into a better person, useful in God’s kingdom as He leads.
As the STEM term comes to an end, I rejoice for the Lord has been faithful to sustain me in the task of ministry. My prayer is that onward He shall guide me wherever He desires I continue in service and to the very end until I enter eternal rest.