Orthodox Christian Mission Center
Traveling From: 8/20/2016 to 8/30/2016; Team Cost: $1315*
KISUMU, KENYA – Participate in a youth leader retreat in Nandi, Kenya this summer and be inspired by and encourage the dynamic youth leaders. One thousand youth have been invited from over 500 parishes for this Archdiocese national event, which will be held in the newly established Diocese of Kisumu and Western Kenya.
The 2016 Kenya Mission Team has been invited by His Grace ATHANASIOS Bishop of Kisumu and West Kenya [photo, from here] to participate in a four-day youth leader retreat. The retreat will focus on providing a deeper understanding of youth ministry, teachings on the Faith and evangelism. The Team will offer encouragement to youth leaders who come from large cities and rural villages.
At the end of 2015, Fr. Athanasios was elevated to Bishop by His Beatitude THEODOROS II, the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. In his speech at his enthronement, the Patriarch said: “The hour of missions in the vast and great country of Kenya “has indeed come”. The fullness of time has arrived; the time of sowing has come as has the time of reaping. Teach them to love Christ’s name above all.” The Diocese of Kisumu and Western Kenya includes over 18,000 faithful, 200 parishes and 100 clergy. It is made up of four different tribes: Luhya, Luo, Nandi and Turkana. About 9% of Kenya’s population belongs to peoples only marginally impacted by the Gospel, but a large number of people have been exposed to the Gospel.
Orthodoxy arose in East Africa without the influence of foreign missionaries. The Church was founded by two charismatic African men searching for truth and ‘orthodoxia’ in the 1920’s. The Orthodox Church in Kenya was received into canonical Orthodoxy in 1946, and the Makarios III Patriarchal Seminary was opened in the 1980’s to train indigenous priests from Africa. OCMC has supported the work of the Orthodox Church in Kenya for over 30 years and continues to provide support for theological and catechetical training, and works with church leaders to address issues of self-sufficiency for the church. Presently, the Church in Kenya has three hierarchs, His Eminence Archbishop MAKARIOS of Kenya, Bishop NEOPHYTOS of Nyeri and Mount Kenya Mount Kenya, and Bishop ATHANASIOS of Kisumu and Western Kenya.
Share the teachings of the Orthodox faith and be a part of laying the foundation of the Faith for many. Be a part of this dynamic youth outreach of the Church in Kenya. Participants should be well-grounded in the basic teachings of the Church and prepared to offer basic Orthodox catechism, religious education and youth outreach.
Dates: August 20 - 30, 2016, Cost: $1,315 (+ airfares)
Travel – Members make flight arrangements: a one-way domestic flight to Jacksonville, FL (JAX) Saturday, August 20 (by 4 pm for orientation). Team Members are to fly on the itinerary schedule that OCMC provides for the international flights: depart from JAX for Kisumu, Kenya on Monday, August 22; and depart Kisumu, Monday August 29. Airfares and visa are not included in participation cost.
Fund raising - Each Team member is responsible for the participant cost and airfares. Team members raise funds to cover the cost of their participation. Participants are encouraged to let others know that they will be sharing in the work of missions through their tax-deductible donations, and invite others to participate through prayer and financial support. The cost includes room and board, local transportation, orientation costs, ministry expenses, excursion and materials.
Share in a journey of faith… Orthodox Mission Team members are challenged to view the world with God's eyes and seek how He wants to use them to fulfill His plans. This cross-cultural experience, combined with outreach, offers participants a life-changing learning experience. This experience is about people, culture and missions. It is also about prayer, for you and others; it is about God, those you serve, and about yourself, as you serve Him.
