I love the cheetah. Graceful and so fast. Can sprint up to 70 miles an hour. But then is exhausted and can lose its prey to a less speedy but un-exhausted rival
The Lion Meets our Gaze
29 Jan 2012 Leave a comment
I and my son in law, Chauncey and grandson, Josiah, toured the Masai Mara in December 2011. We were impressed but the lions were bored.
Talking with Children About Homosexuality
29 Jan 2012 Leave a comment
in Sexuality
Recently I was contacted by Sheldon Good, the editor of the Mennonite Weekly Review blog entitled: “The World Together”.
He said that he was planning to post a blog by Brian McLaren and he wanted me to write a response from a different point of view. I accepted this assignment.
Brian McLaren is a well known author, speaker and activist. He had been asked by a reader of his writings how to talk to his home schools children about homosexuality.
Brian responded that “the way many Christians respond to gay folks today is pretty far from what Jesus himself did or would do.” He said that gay folks have two moral options: celibacy and fidelity in the context of a committed relationship. By this he meant that it was morally appropriate for two persons of the same sex to marry but that they needed to remain faithful to their marriage partner. He added that he would make the comparison to young children that even as some people are right handed and others left handed, some people are attracted to the same sex and others to the opposite sex. He went on to emphasize the importance of love and of welcoming and befriending persons who had same sex attractions and relationships.
I responded to the blog post in the following manner:
A response to Brian McLaren’s blog about sexuality
By E. Daniel Martin
In the beginning God gave to humankind the gift of sight, a very good gift. But over the centuries following the “fall,” some have been born without sight and some have lost their sight. All types of issues have contributed to the absence of sight. Although the absence of sight very significantly affects life, it must not be allowed to define a life. The person without sight is first of all a person with an identity separate from the blindness. He/she is a person who happens to be blind, but the blindness is not allowed to define or ultimately limit the meaning and significance of his/her life.
In the beginning God created the Earth and said, “It is good this way.” Then God created man and woman in his own image and said, “I want man and woman to cleave to one another as one flesh in marriage and to produce offspring.” Then God added, “It is very good this way.”
Over the centuries following the “fall,” some have discovered that they are not attracted to the opposite sex; rather, they are attracted to the same sex. This attraction to the same sex appears to be caused by varied biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors. Some experience this as a very early awareness so that they feel they were born this way.
But whatever the cause, we do not define a person by his/her attraction to the same sex or to the opposite sex. We see each person as a human being with purpose and meaning and destiny. And we do not celebrate a person’s same-sex attraction any more than we celebrate blindness. Rather, we say we will walk with that person and assist that person in every way to have a joyful and purposeful life. We would no sooner reject a person with same-sex attraction than we would reject the person who is blind. Rather, we hold these persons closely and support them with our love and relationships.
God intends sexual intercourse to be between a man and a woman, a husband and a wife in a lifelong monogamous marriage. God says premarital, extramarital and homosexual behaviors miss his desired plan and are sin. These behaviors are “not good.”
But God shows to all that the sexual desire must be controlled. The married person must not have sex outside the marital relationship and must honor the desires, needs and preferences of the spouse. The person with opposite-sex attraction who is not married must seek God’s grace to lead a celibate life unless God provides a marriage partner. The person with same-sex attraction must seek God’s grace to lead a celibate life unless God should give to them a desire for the opposite sex in which case they could enter a heterosexual marriage.
It is the devil’s deception that if you cannot have sexual intercourse you cannot have a fulfilling life. Sex is elevated as a god that must be served at all costs. But God’s word says, “Stop thinking about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature; rather, clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ and think about how to please him” (Rom. 13:14).
So whether you have same-sex attraction or opposite attraction, your focus is not on how to gratify your sexual desires but on how to please the Lord within the context of your sightedness, your blindness, your opposite sex attraction or your same-sex attraction.
And above all, we celebrate the Gospel which proclaims that “we are all more wicked than we had ever believed but at the same time more loved and accepted than we had ever dared hope.”
Responses to this blog:
One respondent, a ‘minister of peace and justice’ in his church, labeled my above response as hateful speech. He went on to say that God did not say that premarital, extramarital and homosexual behaviors are sin but rather “these remarks are Mr. Martin’s interpretation of a set of scriptures that are complex, nuanced and rooted in the culture of its day.”
I respond here to these comments by saying:
First. it is clear that some draw from a source of truth that is different from a straightforward reading of the scriptures and an interpretation supported by the community of faith throughout the past two thousand years.
Secondly, Satan has blinded people’s eyes to the extent that a biblical perspective is viewed as hate speech.
Thirdly, Let us intensive our time in the closet , praying that God will open the eyes of the blind, both physically and spiritually.
E. Daniel
2012: The Year of the Syrophoenician Woman
14 Jan 2012 Leave a comment
in Journal
Last year 2011 I termed the ‘Year of the woman who touched Jesus garment.‘ I told that story dozens of times in prison and out. Each time I came to richer understanding of the story. Recently at the concert for Molly , Nicole Mullins sang a song about that biblical incident. I was told later that the LifeGate people immediately thought of me because I had told this story so often. The punch line of that story is: ‘You wanted to be healed from your ‘issue’ but I had a lot more for you than that; therefore I kept looking for you and I call you ‘daughter’ because I want a relationship with you.’This year I feel led to live with the story from Mark 7: 24-30. I invite you to join me in reflecting over a period of time on this passage. It deals with our approach to Jesus. It tells us how to negotiate ‘when we have no rights at all.’ As someone said, this woman immediately understood the gospel. The Gospel: “I am more wicked than I ever believed but at the same time more loved and accepted than I ever dared to hope.”
What is in Your Tent?
06 Jan 2012 Leave a comment
in Journal
Is your tent a museum of past failures and disappointments. or is it filled with living reminders of the goodness of the Lord.
Ruth and I visited a castle/museum in Ghent, Belgium and left feeling somehow depressed and anxious.
We had gone to Belgium along with our 14 year old granddaughter, Hannah, daughter of our oldest daughter Gwen and her husband Chauncey Martin to visit our son Vaughn, his wife Ilona and their three daughters Elisa, 14; Ruby, 12; and Julie, 7.
On Monday, January 2nd, we went to Ghent and toured a castle built in the middle ages. The castle has now been turned into a museum of the torture items used in the Spanish Inquisition. During that time Christians tortured and killed other Christians. It was truly a dark time in our history. We came out of the castle distressed with all we had seen and grateful that we did not live in those dark ages.
But somehow remembering all the evil that had occurred made us more sensitive to the evil that is occurring in our world today. We say we are glad things are better now in comparison to the Dark Ages but our prophets are predicting new dark ages. Some are saying that our economy will completely collapse in 2012 and that there will be violence in the streets in places that had previously been secure. So, where shall we turn and how shall we position ourselves for the darkness ahead?
I was encouraged this morning by the Holy Spirit through a word from scripture. In I Samuel 17: 54 we read that after David had killed Goliath, “David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.”
These weapons were a constant and daily reminder to David of the Lord’s faithfulness. David could go into his tent and see and remember all that the Lord had done for him.
Imagine with me what else David may have had in his tent. Possibly he had a bear skin rug and a lion skin rug. Possibly he had the five stones he had chosen from the brook as he prepared to kill Goliath.
Maybe in the evenings before he confronted Goliath, David recalled the history of the people of God. He recalled how as the flooded Jordan river parted and the Israelites entered the promised land through a dry river bed, God had instructed them to choose twelve stones from the river bed and carry them into the Promised Land as a reminder of God’s faithfulness. Maybe as David thought of challenging Goliath he thought again of those stones. And he then thought , “I need me some stones”. So he goes and chooses five stones; and as he handles those stones he can just see Goliath’s name written all over that one stone. And suddenly he begins to pray and praise the Lord as a “giant killing anointing” comes upon him.
After the victory over Goliath, imagine David sitting in his tent. He would rub his feet on the bear skin rug, gaze at the armor of the defeated Goliath and roll those stones in his hands. He would recall that he himself was the greatest trophy of the grace of God. Then David would remember and remember and he would shout and praise the Lord. And so David would become a full time worshiper and and a part time warrior. (inspired by an article by Bill Yount)
We may go to a museum on rare occasions, some more frequently but few of us live in a museum. We need daily reminders of the faithfulness of the Lord to get us through the gathering storm.
What is in your tent? Is your tent a museum of past failures and disappointments or is it filled with living reminders of the goodness of the Lord.
I do believe that God gives us the Holy Communion as a daily reminder of his faithfulness. “As you take this bread, remember how much I love you. I loved you enough to die for you. Eat this bread and remember and celebrate my love.”
“And this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Drink this cup and remember and celebrate all that I have given you for the living of this day. All that I have is yours. I give you my strength, my Spirit. I give you my garments of righteousness. I give you my sword, the sword of my spirit which is the word of God.
So turn your tent into a cathedral of remembering and of worship and praise, 24/7, and then in your left over time go out and do mighty exploits in your family and in your work place in the strong name of Jesus!
Reflection on Celebration of the Father’s Love Concert
25 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
in Journal
On Sunday evening, December 18,2011 the LifeGate Congregation of Elizabethtown partnered with Don and Kathy Hess and family in a birthday celebration for Molly Hess who turned 18 on the 18th of December. The grand celebration was held at the Leffler Auditorium of Elizabethtown College at 6:30 pm. Nearly 600 people joined in the celebration. Nicole C. Mullen, a nationally and internationally known Christian musician conducted a one hour concert as part of the celebration. Members of the LifeGate congregation participated in many ways: on the planning committee for the event, in publicity for the event, in ushering, in producing a video of Molly’s life; in writing and performing a special song for Molly, in leading the worship as a team, in ministering in word and song during the event and in praying for the event.
We prayed that first of all the Lord’s name would be lifted up, that His love would be celebrated. We prayed that the evening would be about Him and not any of us. We prayed that Nicole C. Mullen, in spite of her great fame, would minister in a spirit of humility that lifted up the name of Jesus and not her own gifting. We prayed that even mistakes would turn out to the glory of God and that there would be a strong sense of the presence of God in the meeting. And yes we prayed that Molly would be healed; that she would speak a word indicating that she does understand the love of the father and the mother and the brothers and the sisters.
And God did answer prayers. There was a strong sense of the glorious presence of the Lord in the meeting. People were encouraged, inspired, lifted up with new faith and love. Molly did not rise up and walk or talk but somehow there was a peace about being in the presence of God with her and knowing that God loves her and will not withhold any good gift from her or from us. We are content knowing that in His own time He will make all things clear and no good thing will be withheld from Molly or us. And in the time before all things are clear or mended, we continue in faith and hope and love.
We all sang in our hearts with Sonya Pena as she sang the song she had composed over Molly which she entitled, ‘Molly’s Song’:
You were sitting on the edge of the crowd
Feeling cold and a little left out;
The Father’s eyes scanned the room
And gently fell upon you;
He drew you out of the many And said, “I have a special plan for you, Molly.”
Molly, did you know That your weakness lets His power be shown?
And, Molly, did you know That your worship makes your heart His throne?
And did you know that in all these years He’s never left you alone?
Did you know… His love, like a fire burns to make you whole His arms,
They enfold you through the questions of your soul
Molly, did you know,
That your destiny was planned before your birth?
And, Molly, did you know there’re no words
To express your great worth?
And did you know that in Christ’s kingdom
The last become first?
Did you know?
Now on this your 18th birthday
Surrounded by friends and family
Can you hear your heavenly Father say,
Molly, did you know that I sing, I sing—
Molly, I sing over you‛
As Sonya sang this song over Molly, as Molly sat in her wheel chair next to the piano, a tear was noticed in Molly’s eye. And as the tear slowly trickled down Molly’s cheek, Sonya’s voice broke as she sang, for she thought, “Molly does understand; she is moved by what is happening tonight.”
Don Hess, Molly’s father gave a moving tribute to God and Molly. He testified that “We are an ordinary people …holding hands with an extra-ordinary God”. And the evening continued with strong and joyous worship led by the LifeGate worship team, followed by the powerful worship experience through the voice of Nicole C. Mullen. Nicole ministered passionately, humbly and very evangelistically. People were touched by Christ’s presence in her ministry.
Then there was an inspiring word by Lou Goszleth, a beloved pastoral friend of the LifeGate congregation, who directed many of his comments directly to Molly. Finally Doug Lamb sang a powerful song the Lord gave him entitled “This is the Hour.” and invited the audience to join in. An invitation was given for people to come forward for prayer and Don Lamb concluded the service by an invitation to contribute to the community through a free will offering.
The concert expenses had been covered by friends of the Hess family and by the LifeGate congregation so all of the offering could go to one of four community purposes: Cornerstone Youth Center, Love INC, Churches That Care and to build a community playground in the LifeGate community.
And God blessed this event and gave great favor in the community. We received free publicity about the event in an article on the Religion page of the local Lancaster newspaper, The Intelligencer Journal on Saturday morning just prior to the event. Then on Monday morning, the day after the event, there was a very positive front page article, again in the Intelligencer, reporting on the birthday event/ concert along with pictures.
What congregation would not wish for a positive front page article about a congregational event? So, yes, we were favored by God and man. But what shall we make of this? How shall we understand it? What shall we do with this?
In reflecting on this entire event, we can make the following points:
1. This event occurred in the context of the congregation seeking the Lord in an especially focused way in the ’90 Days of Transformation’. In this period there was increased prayer and fasting and longing to draw nearer to God. In this context the Lord came to Don Hess in the middle of the night inspiring him to plan this event. This is not unlike an event in Acts 13:1-3: “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers… While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Likewise, while we were worshiping and praying and fasting the Spirit came to Don Hess and said ‘plan this event to celebrate the Father’s love’.
2. The Spirit not only came on Don Hess, the Spirit came on the entire congregation with inspiration and giftings and a strong desire to contribute those giftings to the event. Everyone who heard of the event was moved by the Holy Spirit with the strong sense that this was ‘God’s doing and it was marvelous in our eyes.’
3. The Holy Spirit stirred up a spirt of prayer throughout the congregation. Prayer was made persistently and corporately for Molly, the Hesses and this event and all who were a part of the event. There was special prayer for Nicole C. Mullen, not that she would be gifted in song, but that her gift would totally lift up the Father’s name.
4. The Holy Spirit stirred a spirt of humility. No one participating wanted to draw attention to themselves or to their gifting either individually or corporately. LifeGate as a congregation was mentioned in the publicity but did not use this as an opportunity to promote their own congregational interests in the community.
5. The Holy Spirit gave a strong love for the larger body of Christ and a strong desire to bless and serve the community and larger body of Christ. Although LifeGate is committed to developing a community playground and could use every penny we could get for that purpose, there was the strong sense that the proceeds from this concert should serve the community and not primarily LifeGate.
6. The Holy Spirit gave the congregation the grace to die to self interest.
7. The Holy Spirit gave the congregation a spirit of unity and joy in working together.
8. The Holy Spirit gave the congregation a stronger sense of identity as a part of the family of God. This clearer sense of who we are as a congregation allows us to relate more effectively with persons of other congregations in the community be they denominational or nondenominational. May the Lord use this to build up the whole body of Christ.
So, in light of these blessings of God, how shall we proceed from here:
1. Continue to seek God’s grace to die to ourselves and our selfish interests every day. Jesus said, “If any man (or congregation) would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
2. Stay focused on Jesus and not on the favor we may or may not receive. He said if we follow him we will not always be favored, in fact we will be persecuted if we faithfully bear HIs name and proclaim His will and word. So we will continue to seek His favor and let him take care of whether or not we receive the favor of others.
3. Continue to seek to serve others. Continually ask, “How can I come under a brother or sister or other congregation and lift them up so that they shine brighter?”
4. Continue in worship and prayer and fasting, confident that the Spirit will again speak, directing us as to the next event He is calling us to do for Him, be it individually or corporately.
-submitted by edm
Please Meet the New Happy Church Bishop
17 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
Reverend Boniface Rungi was raised in a Catholic family. He was the oldest living child to his father and mother. His father wanted him to become a priest. When the young man was confirmed into the Catholic church he was given the name Boniface, the name of three different Catholic popes throughout history.
When Bonifice was age seven his father took a second wife and in so doing became a polygamist. He eventually had 20 children between his two wives. When in his mid teens Bonifice learned from a Christian service conducted at his school that salvation was by belief in Jesus Christ and not by good works. This awareness and his later anointing by the Holy Spirit set him on a path to pursue intimacy with Christ and to active involvement in the church. As a committed Christian he was a man of peace and through his life and witness brought peace into his fractured family and led a number in his family to fatih in Jesus Christ. Unlike many who grow up in a polygamist family, he was equally close to his stepmother’s children as to his own siblings.
As a young man Bonifice was actively involved in itinerant evangelism. He became involved with Happy Chruch as a young man because of the dynamic spiritual life in this growing church. It was there that he met Cathy who was to become his wife. Cathy’s grandfather was a minister in the African Inland Church. She was very close to him. He was the first one she told about her faith in Jesus Christ and later about her anointing in the Holy Spirit. She promised to pray for him when he was troubled by her anoining iby the Holy Spirit. Later in his life after his retirement he was also baptized in the Holy Spirit. Her parents are both now Christians.
Bonifice and Kathy have three chirldren . Dorcan the oldest is training to be an oral surgeion. Steve the second is just beginning college and plans to specialize in information technology. The youngest, Joshua 13, wants to become an engineer. All the children have an active faithe in Christ and honor their parents as persons who live what they speak.
For approximately twenty years Bonifice worked as a miller. He rose through the company and became manager of a milling plant worth millions if not billions of dollars. He was being groomed to operate milling companies world-wide. However in his early 30’s he answered God’s call to go into ministry. He and Cathy a school teacher began a church in Eldorett. Cathy continued to taach ; however Bonifice gave up the security of a well paing job and gave himself fully to the pastoring of the church.
The church grew and became a strong influence for righteousness in the Eldorettt. In time he was ordained as the pastor and later his wife Cathy was ordained as a pastor as well. Together they made a very effective team. Bonifice as a result of his taining in management was a good decison maker. Cathy dealt especially with the women in the church. She would absorb the emotional aspects of conflicts or problems and then bring the core issute to Bonifice for his decions. This action by Cathy protected him from distractions and increased his effectiveness.
In the course of time bonifice completed a Master’s Degree in biblical Studies. He very loyally served Bishop Kamau. His favorite bible cahracter is David becasue David wias a common every day man with many problems. Like David Bonifice enjoys his private time with the Lord above all else. Bonifice’s integrity and gifts were recognized and he was made overseer of nine churches within the Happy Church network and participated in the oversight council for the entire network of churches.
Now at the age of 50 , Bonifice wants to lead the church to be a model of the family of God for the region impacting the nation with the life that is within the Christ-centered, Spirit-directed community of faith. One of his most painful challenges has been the devastation brought on by the psot election violence of two years ago. However he has not allowed himself to be polarized along tribal lines but has lived out the realtiy that he is part of a calling higher than tribal loyalties. In taking such a position he has been respected by all tribes and has played a healing role in the community at large.
Bonifice anticipates taking on the role as bishop in that he sences God’s increased anointing for this role will enable him to serve the larger church even more effectively
Thoughts While On The Masai Mara
17 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
in Kenya 2012
African Safari Report
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am still in Kenya. Tomorrow morning I preach at Nakuru Happy Church’s two morning services. Today I attended and spoke at a bishop ordination for James Karanja, at Molo, Kenya, about an hour from Nakuru. Earlier this week Chauncey, my son-in-law and Josiah, my 12 year old grandson, along with Bishop Joseph Kamau, our host, and Bob Nichols, my co-worker, spent three days in the Masai Mara Game Preserve. It was a good time and I will likely write more about it. For now I am just including the account of one incident with the hyenas. Chauncey, Josiah and Bob are coming home early and should be at Newark by about noon today.
I am enjoying the trip. I would love to have been with you tomorrow in the morning worship service and again with you for the evening concert for Molly. However God is with you and I will be with you in spirit. Just remember God is able to do far beyond what we can ask or imagine. So ask much and imagine big and be amazed at His greatness.
I love you and miss you. My prayers are with you.
Your brother,
E. Daniel
Of all the animals we saw, Josiah’s favorite was the hyena. I asked him why this was so. He said he did not know; he just liked the hyenas. Each evening at the lodge where we stayed, the hyenas were fed scraps of meat while tourists nervously watched from a balcony. At 10 pm sharp a lodge employee would walk resolutely to an open location part way down a hillside toward a surrounding woods. He held onto a bag of meat scraps thrown over one shoulder while carrying a stout stick with his other hand. A bright light illuminated the area where the meat was deposited casting eerie shadows into the surrounding woods. After emptying the bag onto a metal grate, the man struck the grate several times with his stick apparently signaling to the animals it was time for dinner. Then he turned and walked slowly away from the scene.
At this point first one and then another hyena would advance toward the meat. They would advance and then retreat; advance and then retreat and finally make a mad dash for the meat, grab a piece and then retreat back into the shadows. Then more hyenas appeared; up to six or eight repeating the same advance-retreat-advance scenario. Then one or two jackals appeared. The jackals actually were more goal directed and persistent and even though smaller than the hyenas managed to effectively get a share of the meat. However a large bush pig suddenly appeared and dominated the scene as the hyenas retreated with deference while he made his choice of the scraps and then lumbered away. The hyenas and jackals then returned to scavenge till all the scraps were gone. In the surrounding shadows one could see eyes reflecting the light suggesting there were many more animals that did not dare come too close to humans or who were possibly planning to wrestle the scraps from their weaker but bolder or more desperate comrades.
On the second evening as we stood on the balcony in the dark tropical night, again nervously awaiting the unknown responses of the ferocious animals, I said to Josiah, “Would you like to go with the man who takes the scraps out to the hyenas. He vigorously nodded his ascent. I checked with his father, Chauncey, who agreed and asked the man assigned to carry the meat if he would take Josiah along and he agreed. This man introduced himself as ‘David’. He instructed Josiah to stay close by his side and agreed that Josiah could carry his camera and video record the experience. Promptly at 10 pm David began walking to the grate with the bag of meat on his shoulders and Josiah by his side. The small light of Josiah’s video camera was visible throughout the episode. One of the Chinese tourists whispered loudly as the pair walked down the hill, “Oh, look! There is a boy with the man.”
The scene this second night was very similar to the first night except that the large bush pig did not appear and a mongoose appeared instead and managed to grab a piece of meat and disappear into the dark.
The main difference tonight for us was our focus on what was happening to Josiah. After emptying his bag of scraps, David hesitated a minute, giving Josiah more time to record the incident. Then he and Josiah walked slowly back up the hill unscathed and probably unnoticed by the hyenas. Later Chauncey gave David a handsome tip for allowing Josiah to have this experience.
David then said to Josiah, ” I want you to stay here with me. Tell your father and grandfather to go on home and I will take good care of you. I will teach you all about animals and I will show you how to kill a lion. Will you stay?”
Josiah thanked him but said he would stay with his father. We all smiled, aware that the boy was becoming a young man but not too fast. He was growing in confidence but not growing away from his father.
As I reflected on this experience I thought “The fear of the unknown is not as great as the fear of being separated from the ones you love.” Josiah could boldly face his fear of the wild animals because he knew that on the balcony nearby was a father and grandfather who loved him dearly and would not have allowed this experience unless they knew he would be able to survive it without serious harm. At the same time they were affirming and supportive of his taking on the challenge and risk of facing the unknown.
The Heavenly Father is looking down with pleasure as we face the hyenas and wolves in our lives. He will not allow us to face anything that we cannot handle but he will always make a way through it. At the same time he delights when we take the risk of faith and proceed into the scary unknown, confident that we will be victorious in the strength He provides us. As we come through our dark nights of terror and we turn to Him in gratitude, He also smiles that we are growing up in faith but we are not growing away from Him.
–E. Daniel
Happy Church Ordains a New Bishop
17 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
On Saturday April 23, 2011, Happy Church Ministries International celebrated the ordination of Reverend Boniface Runji to the office of bishop in Happy Church . Bishop Joseph W. W. Kamau, until this time the only bishop ordained in Happy Church since the start of the church in 1983, ordained Reverend Runji as bishop. Approximately 1000 people attended the ordianation celebration at the Potter’s Academy on the outskirts of Eldorett, Kenya. The celebration lasted from 10:30 am till 2;30 pm and was then followed by a reception.
Bishop Kamau stated that although he will continue as presiding bishop he will be joined in the leadership of Happy Church by the newly ordained Bishop Rungi and later in this year of 2011 by two additional bishops. Reverend Evanson Macharia of Thompson Falls will be ordained on September 10th and Reverend James Karanga of Molo will be ordained on December 17, 2011.
Bishop Kamau emphasized that all three of these pastors have been functioning in many ways as bishops in their roles as overseers of the five regions of churches within Happy Church. This bishop ordination was to confirm what they have already been doing. Bishop Kamau added that the ordination service is a time of divine empowerment in that as hands are laid on the bishop designate the Lord honors the faith and obedience of the church and releases on the candidate increased spiritual anointing for the new responsibilities as bishop.
Ordiantion as bishop is not a promotion so much as a spiritual empowerment for the increased responsibilites as servant of the entire church. As Jesus said ‘he who would be greatest should be the greatest servant’, said Bishop Kamau.
The ordination service itself was an experience of beauty and joy. The meeting was in a large field where five large tends circled around a central square in he middle of which was a raised platform with an awning to protect from the sun. The bishop designate drove slowly onto the gorunds in his car. A large group of women proceeded him in a joyful procession of singing and dancing.
The program began with multiple groups singing and dancing. Visiting pastors and college adminiatrators and professors of Bonifice were introduced. Bishop E. Daniel Martin, secretary of Kingdom Life Network and long time friend of the Kamau’s and of the Happy Chruch, brought the message.
Bishop Martin of Elizabethtown, PA, stated thea gospel is a mystery to be revealed in how the church community lives out its faith. The church is the household of God and is the piller and foundation of the truth. It is clear from scripture that the bishop is a shepherd of God’s people. Shepherds need to have a heart of the sheep; be present to the sheep , watch over the sheep and act to proctect and care fot the sheep.
Following the sermon, the bishop candidate were brought to the platform by Reverend Macharia and presented to Bishop Kamau. Bishop Kamau then insructed Bonifice on the role of bishop and Bonifice then stated his public vows to be faithful to God in the conduct of this office.. Following this Bonifice and Cathy were clothed in robes. Then a towel was placed around their necks to keep the oil off their robes. Bishop poured copious amounts of oil from a cow horn down over Bonifice as he ordained him to the office of bishop. The oil ran dow over his face and dripped onto the cushion upon which he as kneeling. Bishop Kamau likewise anointed Cathy for the increased responsibilites she will face as wife of the bishop. Bishop Kamau stated taht the flow of anointing oil is inviting the oil of Gold’s blessing and eempowerment to flow ounto boniface’s life and the Holy Spirit to abundantly fill the life; it is like the oil taht flowed down over AAron’s bear.
Following the anointing with oil several pastors were asked to lay on hands and pray. Then a bishop’s hat was placed on Boniface’s head and he gave a brief expression of gratitued to the persons attendign the service. The hat completes the uniform and isonly worn at the time of ordination.Following this attendees were invited to greet the new bishop. As each one greeted him and his wife thay gave him gifts. Following this a cake was cut and distributed to all the participanta. The crowd then began to socialize and to rejoice in the blessings of the Lord. This part of the service was finished by approximately 2:30. Then the new bishops and other chruch leaders were honored with a reception in the dining hall.
The ordiaation was attended not only by Happy Church leaders and members but also by Bonifice and Cathy’s families as well as a significant number of community pastors and other coummunity leaders. It was clear that Bonifice is well known and highly appreciate not only in the church communty but in the community at large.
theexpandingshrink 