My name is Kennedy Kamau Mwangi. I was born and brought up in Kajiado County, Ngong division, specifically in Upper Matasia. I am a fifth born in a family of 6. My family comprises my parents, three brothers, and two sisters. My Dad is a businessperson while my Mum is a farmer. I started school at Upper Matasia Primary in 1998 and PCEA Upper Matasia Mixed day Secondary School in 2011.
While growing up, I joined a bad company in Primary school. We were involved in stealing pumpkins, potatoes, and maize to make some money for movies (Video). We could also run away from school and come back at games time. Today, most of my friends back then are drug addicts, but thanks to God for saving my life that I may reach to others. I pray that the rest of my team will come to know the Lord.
Journey of salvation
From childhood, I was brought up in a Catholic church. From 2005 I stopped going to church up to 2012 while in high school form 2. My friends then who were Christians had for a long time been inviting me to attend an interdenominational fellowship they used to attend a church next to our school. On a Tuesday I joined them just to make them happy. Little did I know that it would be my turnaround day. After the fellowship when I was about to leave, the leader of the group (Paul) asked me whether I wanted to give my life to Christ. I accepted it as a joke and he prayed for me and told me I was born again. It was a shock to me because I did not know how I was supposed to behave, but thanks to God the leader of the group walked with me together with other people who helped me grow. University Christian Union (CU) also gave me a platform to grow more. I become a more grounded Christian through Bible study meetings, Best P classes, prayer, and worship ministries with the help of FOCUS Staff and peer mentorship. I served in various positions while on campus i.e., BS Pastor, vice-chair, Chair, Resource Mobilization Committee Chair, RSEC, and NASEC.
Journey to FOCUS
The call to join STEM 1 did not come as a surprise because I had a conviction, and I also expected that they might call me. I remember Pauline informed me as a by-the-way after a meeting to plan a regional Kesha with RSEC leaders. My 1st year in STEM was great. When I was called for STEM 2, I did not hesitate to accept because I had a conviction within me to continue serving. I had also experienced a transformation in my life during my 1styear in STEM i.e., in my devotional and prayer life, my reading, leadership skills, etc.
Due to the impact I had seen through my ministry, I knew this was an opportunity that I could not let go of. I am looking forward to 7 months of holistic growth and impact among students.
I pray that God will grace me as I pioneer the work in KCA and also as I serve with Utalii together with my team leaders.
I also pray that God will give me a favor as I do the resource work and that I will be faithful throughout the journey.
Lastly, I pray for my brother, for his marriage is not doing well and for the members of my family to know the Lord.
I am Philip Mungai a Former Student of Meru University of Science and Technology where I pursued a Bachelor of Commerce; Finance Option.
My Journey in Salvation
I am neither a Jewish religious leader nor a Pharisee but like Nicodemus, in John Chapter Three I too went to see “Rabbi” at night. I received Jesus as the Lord of my life on the night of 24th December 2011, on a Christmas Kesha after hearing the word and being convicted in my heart that Jesus is the answer to my transgressions and my iniquities. At the beginning of my walk with God, I walked with emotions, but slowly I started learning that all the steps I take in life with God are by Faith. I learned how to pray and with time I started waking up in the morning to pray and meditate on my life and commit my day to the Lord. As I kept walking with the Lord, my trust and faith became firm in him and my life was transformed. I started loving hanging around born again brothers and sisters, and later I started attending Bible study meetings in Church and school and spent more time in prayer. The more I got to know God, the more I realized how much I need to know. The journey has been wonderful and the Lord has been faithful.
Catalyst of Growth
In 2016, I joined the University and luckily, I found some like-minded evangelical Christians. They introduced me to University Christian Union, which organized small Bible study meetings and regular meetings. In the same year, I attended Ezra Conference, a triennial-one-week-program on discipleship and scripture engagement training organized by FOCUS Kenya. This conference equipped me with the attitude, passion, and skills that have enabled me to grow as an effective student of God’s word. Ezra changed my approach to my devotion and now I read the Bible consistently, study the word thoroughly and inductively and apply it faithfully as I proclaim it effectively. FOCUS Kenya conferences including Commission 2017, National Leaders and Mentorship Summit, and Ezra 2019 also formed a catalyst to my growth. My interactions with senior Christian students, associates, STEM Staffs, and Campus Ministry Facilitators have also helped me grow, especially in mentorship.
My Journey to STEM
The invitation to join the STEM program came one week after I sat for my final exams at University. The consideration to join the program was overwhelming, because of the expectations, especially from home that after school I would probably look for a job and become a breadwinner. However, I considered joining the program because to me it was a prayer answered. I remember in my third year on Campus expressing my desire to serve for one year before I could join the corporate world to my roommate and a few friends, and now immediately after clearing school, God brought this opportunity my way. I also felt that I need to be part of what FOCUS does, which is incredibly wonderful; Reaching Students Transforming Nations. I want to be part of this life-transforming movement.
I am looking forward to growing in my leadership skills through formal and peer mentorship provided by FOCUS through this program, and through apprenticeship, as I offer Discipleship and mentorship to university and college students. I desire that by the end of one year in this program, I would have gained skills that will transform me into an all-round value-based leader who will be a responsible citizen and an agent of social transformation.
My Prayer
- May the Lord God almighty bless FOCUS as a movement, I pray for all the staff and stakeholders. May the Lord help FOCUS to accomplish and execute all the plans, objectives, and strategies set for the growth of the ministry.
- I pray for all the students in colleges and universities and especially those that God is sending me to minister to, may the Lord give them a teachable spirit and the grace of understanding His word. I pray that God will prompt them to desire to have a personal relationship with Him. I pray that God shall give us a good time of learning together, and I desire that we shall be compatible in Jesus’s name.
- I thank God for those who have stood with me in this ministry. I pray that God will keep them happy, healthy, and meet their needs as they continue to trust in Him. I pray that God will provide for those planning to support me in this Ministry.
I am Andrew Malele a graduate of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) with a Bachelor’s degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Having been raised in a God-fearing family, I used to attend the church and actively take part in church activities. From a tender age, I attended Sunday school sessions. When I was of age, I joined the youth ministry in my church, partook in most activities in the ministry, and took part in every youth program within the ministry and neighboring churches. This continued for years until when I was done with my primary school education, where my life took a transformative direction in the walk of faith.
It was not until one day, during the usual Sunday service, that the sermon delivered was so deeply felt in my heart. I was uniquely touched and challenged to reconsider my salvation status. I made a step of faith and confessed Christ as my Lord since I had never done that ever since I started attending church. This was in January 2011. I gained a new perspective of salvation, faith in God, and the walk of Christianity.
Since then I paid keen interest in the service of God by pursuing youth workshops, Missions, and night vigils. I embraced leadership positions in the church and got involved in life-changing programs- teaching the young generation the way of the cross. By God’s enabling grace I was able to live the Word and observe His commandments, just as I had always been taught from my tender age.
In High School, I encountered a group of students who were rooted in the Word. We joined the Christian union where we championed Godliness and Integrity among fellow students. By the grace of God, I was exposed to leadership skills by leading various dockets in the Christian Union.
When I joined campus, about four years ago, finding the Christian Union was at the center of my heart. I knew fully that this was the best place one could pursue Godliness. I, therefore, joined without hesitation, for I yearned for a more intimate relationship with God.
Right in the CU, there were many programs facilitated by the CU leadership in close collaboration with the FOCUS Staff, which were so relevant in shaping and molding us in our desire to be rooted in God. I was taught all Christianity basics and was brought through trainings that deepened my knowledge of God. I thereafter undertook roles in the Discipleship docket to nurture and disciple fellow students and converts, teaching them principles of Christianity and growth in faith. I was considered to serve under discipleship docket, from where I had a burden and strong desire to see God be unveiled to and be encountered by this generation, especially the youth.
Joining STEM came in handy following my desire and intention to actively serve the society and the church, right after campus before embarking on personal pursuits. I was therefore deeply motivated to embrace this chance as the very best opportunity to fulfill my vision.
My aspiration to join STEM is to be used of the Lord to reach out to and transform the lives of many who are still in sin, or ignorant of the great gift of salvation. And that by God’s help, my service will impact lives, nurture authentic Christians, and contribute to the growth of the body of Christ. I also look forward to moments of growth and personal establishment in all aspects of Christianity; character, leadership development, capacity building, social, financial, and my walk of faith.
My prayer to students in my station, partners, and FOCUS is that a more intimate relationship with God will be encountered, that they will be graced in all aspects of their lives, and in their desire to support the ministry. For the more lives being transformed and impacted under their influence means an unlimited expansion of the fellowship.
I am Simon Karanja Ndung’u formerly a student at Maasai Mara University. I studied BS. Education (Mathematics and Physics) with Special Needs Education (Braille option).
I received Christ as my savior in 2012 in a Teenagers conference, and since that time I have had great experiences with the Lord through Church discipleship and other ministry opportunities.
I joined Maasai Mara University in 2016 September and joined the Christian Union (CU) the same week. The CU at Maasai Mara has impacted my life positively through the many well-organized fellowships.
FOCUS Kenya has also played a significant role through its well-organized discipleship sessions, Bible study meetings, and mentorship program. Through FOCUS staff, I have also learned the value of opening up and balancing all aspects of life. This has greatly inspired me for student ministry.
I have always desired the life and growth that my friends got from the STEM program and the privilege of impacting young lives. They have shared their lives with me, and I have prayed with them that the Lord would grant them victory in their youthful years.
I look forward to great spiritual growth, growth in all aspects of life, and the privilege of God using me as an answer to the challenges that young adults face through their university and College lives.
My prayer for the students I will serve is that God will keep them safe through these uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic. I pray that God will bless all my partners as they prepare to support my ministry. I also pray that God will bless FOCUS for the great work among students.