They say nothing succeeds like success. The bible study discipleship program literary lifted the believers and the local community members from a pit. In the pastor's own words, it was the first time that they undertook to go through a specialized work of discipling and mentoring the flock systematically, and in the process managing to study the entire bible.
John C. Maxwell rightly observed that " A leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." For over 20 years Bishop David Thagana has been leading GOA ministry and all who have interacted with him can testify he is the kind of a leader described by Maxwell’s statement. Last year while he was doing his masters degree in leadership he undertook a research to find out some of the leadership needs in GOA ministry. Mentorship topped the list of the leadership needs in the ministry and Bishop Thagana being a leader who shows the way swung to action to meet this need.
Bishop David's research highlighted the need to mentor the youth to being responsible leaders in the church and in the world. After wide consultations with other ministry leaders a group of university and college students together with alumni came into being. The group aims at mentoring the students through the alumni and in turn the students to mentor other young students in high schools and primary schools. In the month of November GUSAA (GOA University Students and Alumni Association) was launched.
The group so far has attracted more than 40 members and they have vowed to recruit more members. The group meets every last Sunday of month at Kahawa Wendani Church where they minister to the church. The group has seven spiritual objectives which include, leadership training, mentorship, outreach missions, evangelism and discipleship, fellowship, prayers and intercession, sports ministry, community development, bonding activities.
The group being non political and non profit making has the following objectives.
a) To effectively participate in the spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Kenya and all parts of the world through leadership development, mentorship and sports programs.
b) Dedicate hours of fellowship, prayers and intercession for the land and the people of Kenya and the rest of the world with a view of spiritual revival and stability of every Christian all over the world.
c) To help Christians, especially members of the Association in their efforts:
- To pray, study the scriptures, fellowship and promote maturity in the Christian Faith and life among members.
- To witness and present the Lord Jesus Christ with a view of personal commitment to Him.
- To Network amongst themselves, empower, create and or look for jobs.
d) To print and publish any pamphlets, articles, newspapers, periodicals, books or leaflets that the Association may from time to time deem desirable for the promotion of its objectives.
e) To work with, promote or assist in the promotion of any Association, company or association having objectives similar to the objectives of this Association, and whose fundamental beliefs of faith are in agreement with those of the Association.
f) To liaise with the clergy and members of local congregations of churches in all denominations in a bid to achieve the objectives of the Association.
g) For the members of the Association to identify themselves with the problems in the local counties and residential areas and to contribute to the social and spiritual development of the same.
h) To purchase, take on lease or by any other means acquire any movable or immovable property in Kenya or elsewhere or any estate or interest whatever, and any rights, privileges or easements over or in respect or any property or any building or things whatsoever.
i) To acquire, build, maintain, alter, enlarge, pull down, remove or replace any buildings or nay approved use to clear sites or the same and to join with any person, firm, company or group in doing any of the things aforesaid and to work, manage and control the same or join with others in so doing.
j) To enter into any agreement with any authorities, municipal, local or otherwise that may seem conducive to the Association’s objectives and to obtain from anybody any contracts, rights, privileges, or concessions which the Association may deem desirable to obtain.
GUSAA group members are enthusiastic to follow the mandate of the group and help in the great commission and to them the sky is limit. You can join the group on social media,
Page - http://www.facebook.com/GusaaInternational
Group - http://www.facebook.com/groups/447422098647178/
Twitter: @Gusaa_intl || https://twitter.com/Gusaa_intl
Website: www.gusainternational.org
TUMAINI COUNSELING ON 15TH AND 16TH FEB 2013
The plan was to counsel the entire community of Tumaini, both the children and the staff. We put them into groups according to their classes as well as to various needs. We were a team of three, Ann Chege, Joyce and Mare Dushe.
Miracle of bread- GOA Kieni west children’s home
GOA Kieni west children’s home is located in Nyeri County in Kieni West District. The home was re-launched in August last year after closure of the former Kieni home. Land was purchased and buildings- two dormitories, constructed and a manager- Tabitha Wangari was commissioned to manage the home. The home has 22 children and has progressed quite well in spite of a number of challenges. The challenges included water, school fees, food and clothing. Water issue has been sorted out through purchase of two 10,000 liter tanks for the storage of water kindly purchased by GOA Switzerland who also purchased the land and constructed. We really appreciate and thank God for this support.
Mukinduri GOA church lies at the foot of Mt.Kenya in central province. Mukinduri is the name of a local tree and it gives the village where the church is located its name. When the news of I.C.M and GOA church programme first reached the local congregation, many interpreted it as a divine intervention and a way of God's confirmation that this, indeed is the year of God's favour to His people.
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BISHOP THAGANA'S 2013 MESSAGE OF THE YEAR
May I belatedly bring you my New Year greetings.
On the Global scene, 2012 was the year when shocking economic and
business news seemed to lose its power to shock. Kenya withstood
another difficult year in 2012 as policy tightening and weaker global
demands slowed economic activity. With decisive fiscal and monetary
policies, the government managed to restore confidence in Kenya. The
year 2012 in Kenya was almost a mirror image of 2011. In 2011 the
economy started out strongly, but by mid-year, high fuel and food
prices led to a rapid rise in inflation, a weekend exchange rate and
ultimately a radical increase in interest rates towards the end of the
year.
The implication of these economic and business trend on GOA ministries
was that we had to not only make tough stewardship decisions in 2012
but also daily prayed for God’s Grace to complete the year. With
decisive ministry policies under the governance of an extremely well
educated and experienced GOA board of directors and a dedicated team
of staff at GOA head office in Nairobi we managed to restore
confidence in all stakeholders and continued to change lives and
impact communities.
As we head into 2013, Kenya is expected to stimulate growth by
loosening monetary policy. The Central bank of Kenya has lowered the
Central Bank rate (CBR) over the last several months to encourage
investment and economic growth. As a result, the second have begun
the year by seeing economic activity increase without inflationary
pressure. The Central Bank of Kenya is expected to continue these
policies in the first quarter of 2013 with investors expected to delay
major projects while waiting for the outcome of the elections.
GOA’s theme for 2013 “To proclaim the year of the Lord’s
favour”-Jubilee Luke 4:19. In the last three weeks I have been
blessed with opportunities training senior ministry leaders in
Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda with the eight core values of ILI/HM. I
can boldly proclaim that GOA is out to experience great favour from
God in 2013. This is the year that Kenya will celebrate her Golden
Jubilee-50 yrs since independence. It is also the year that GOA’s
Executive Director is celebrating his Golden Jubilee-50th birthday.
I’m double excited. To be a Kenyan who is celebrating Jubilee
together with his nation.
The World Bank in their December 2012 Kenya Economic update dubbed
“Kenya at work-Energizing the economy and creating jobs” highlighted:
Kenya withstood another difficult year in 2012 as policy tightening
and weaker global demand slowed economic activity. With decisive
fiscal and monetary policies, the government managed to restore
confidence in Kenya’s medium term prospects. 2013 promises to be a
better year. Yet hard realities remain –Kenya’s growth rate is still
below its potential and its peers, external balances remain which
threaten its future growth, and the pace of economic growth is not
generating enough modern sector wage Jobs. With the passage of the
new constitution in 2010 and its implementation, stronger institutions
are emerging, putting Kenya on a sound footing ready to take off. In
the very short term, what remains to be done is for Kenya to deliver a
credible and peaceful election in March 2013, and thereafter a smooth
transfer of power. In the medium term, Kenya will need to start
building a stronger foundation for growth, and undertake structural
reforms to correct the external imbalances. To generate more jobs for
the burgeoning educated population, Kenya will also need to reduce the
transaction cost for firms, by reducing job-smothering corruption and
the cost of doing business (particularly in transport and energy).
In the first half, we expect the Government to keep its focus on
controlled liquidity as it seeks to keep the cost of living at
manageable levels. We expect less easing of the monetary policy with
politics dimming the outlook with political pressure expected to
increase as the country gears up for the general elections. We expect
the outcome of the elections to have a major impact on the economy.
Following the elections, we expect the Central Bank of Kenya to head
back to the low interest rate stance as it seeks to propel
post-election economic growth in the coming years in line with the
vision 2030 objectives. With the Central Bank of Kenya expected to
ease monetary policy, we expect the stock market to stay on a recovery
path. The bond market is expected to see improved activity with
concentration expected to shift to the long end.
This is the time to invest in Kenya. GOA is looking for investors who
are interested in not only reaping good business returns but also
kingdom value through change lives in our four vision areas of Church
Growth, compassion, conflict Resolution and leadership Development.
The focus of the GOA board of directors is to move GOA towards a
sustainable future. With this goal in mind, GOA’s next 5 year
strategic plan has business ideas on investments that may initially
require high capital investment but eventually lead GOA towards
sustainability. We invite you to partner with GOA in 2013.
With you in this year of our Lord’s favour
Bishop David Thagana
Our Core Values
- Embrace People: Because people matter to God, and Christ died for all people; we treat all people as His children while fulfilling the Great Commission – making disciples of all nations.
- Compassionately Serve: Jesus has given us the model of caring for the poor and suffering, which we strive to follow to the best of our abilities.
- Pursue Peace: We will strive to bring an end to conflict in our communities.
- Embody Godly Leadership: Our leaders will practice ethical and accountable governance and management, governing and managing our ministries with excellence.