Grace International Church to Launch New Sanctuary
The newly built Grace International Church on 229 Steadman street in Lowell, Ma.The church will be inaugurated on Sunday, March 6, 2011.Pic by H.Maina/Ajabu Media |
by Harrison Maina , Ajabu Africa News, posted MAR 4, 2011
LOWELL,Mass.,_ Grace International community church (GIC), a mainly Kenyan International church is set to launch a new and more permanent location in Lowell, Massachusetts.
The highly anticipated celebration will take place this Sunday, March 6, 2011 at the newly built church located at 229 Steadman Street, off Westford Street 01852.
Speaking to Ajabu Africa News during an interview, the pastor of the church, Rev, Jeremiah Githere said that the entire church congregation is exited at the developments and are looking forward to have a happy celebration come Sunday.
“We have been holding our worship at a hotel every Sunday since we relocated form the Chelmsford location we had been at one year ago”, said Rev. Githere.
“Now we have managed to have our own permanent location, and this Sunday will be our day to officially inaugurate the sanctuary”, he added.
Inviting members of the Kenyan community as well as other communities to the celebration, Rev. Githere said that GIC welcomes anyone who is still looking for a place to worship and does not have one now.
He said that there are many people in the area of Lowell and environs who still do not have a church to call home, or any pastor to guide them spiritually.
The church currently has members from a variety of communities.
GIC was started in 2005 by a handful group of people and launched in Chelmsford MA.
Since then, the church has gradually evolved and now comprises various church groups like the Men fellowship, Women fellowship, the Youth ministry as well as the Children’s ministry.
GIC has also been actively involved in missionary work, particularly in Kenya, Africa, where they have been helping churches and upcoming pastors The church supports a children’s Orphanage in Naivasha with funds largely donated by organizing the well known Grace Race that has been taking place annually at the Chelmsford location.
GIC also puts an effort to raise funds for the mission work from other well wishers. To date, the church has raised over $50,000 for the Naivasha children’s orphanage project.
“Our mission is to establish an international church with a multicultural concept. We shall respond to the increasing ethnic diversity in Lowell city and the neighboring town, as we consider the purpose of the Church and the great commission. There is a notable interest on promoting gospel that embraces people of all cultures and ages”, Rev. Githere told Ajabu Africa.
Rev. Jeremiah Githere and his wife, Veronica Githere |
Last year, Rev. Githere earned the respect of many young Kenyans in Lowell when he joined them at the Ajabu Africa Offices in Lowell to plan and raise funds for a homeless young Kenyan man who was found dead in a Lowell canal.
Popularly known as Pablo, the young man had fallen into hard times and unknown to the community, Rev. Githere had been trying to help and support him to return to normal life.
Reports by Ajabu Africa News indicated that the pastor, without finding the need to get credit or publicity, had provided the late Pablo with a weekly stipend for a long time to purchase food and basic needs.
He had also paid for some piano classes for the late Kenyan and gives him some spiritual dimension in effort to rehabilitate him.
Pablo eventually attended Rev. Githere’s church occasionally and played piano with the praise and worship team before disappearing mysteriously, only to be found dead three weeks later.
At the time, GIC church did not have a permanent place to meet, but eventually, over $25,000 was raised at a fund raiser held at the saint Stephens’s church to transport the body to Kenya. Wanting to see the process to the end, Rev. Githere accompanied the body for burial.
The pastor has also been actively involved in other community activities. He is the current General Treasurer to the Kenya Pastors’ fellowship (KPF), a group of about 40 pastors of Kenyan community churches in New England. He has also preached in many other churches upon invitation.
“I just try my level best to live up to my calling to serve the people”, Rev. Githere told Ajabu Africa during the interview.
Together with my wife, Veronica Githere and others members of the GIC, we will minister the gospel of the kingdom to those in our community with a faith approach, addressing all areas of Human being that is body, soul, and spirit. We believe the Holy Spirit will use this ministry to charge, challenge, and change the region of Massachusetts, and ultimately the world”, he added.
Pastor Jeremiah, as he is popularly known in the Kenyan community, graduated from the East African School of Theology in Buruburu, Nairobi, Kenya in 1997. He was ordained as a pastor by the Kenya Assembles of God (KAG) in 1996 at a function that took place in Nairobi
Upon relocation to the USA, Pastor Githere pursued masters in Divinity (M-div) at the Trinity Theological Seminary in Indiana where he graduated in 2005.
He says that one of his main desires is to see GIC; people of all ages join in worship to the Lord.
According to the pastor, he believes that from the youngest child, to the oldest person, Jesus is there to transform us, to help us grow in Him.
“We have fellowship with each other on a regular basis, to keep us connected with others. We serve our community in various ways to show forth Christ’s' love. And always, we seek to please Jesus, who has given us this great opportunity of New Life in Him.” he added while welcoming everyone to join others at the GIC on Sunday to launch the new church.
“Come join us, it is the greatest decision you could ever make”, he humbly passes an invitation.
The celebration starts at 10.30am.
Venue:229 Steadman Street, ( off Westford Street) 01852. (Get directions)
For more information, contact Rev. Jeremiah and Veronica Githere at:
Rev.Jeremiah Githere: 978-726-6710
Mrs.Veronica Githere: 978-726-6292
Email: githerejn@yahoo.com
The all new Grace International Community church in Lowell, Mass. |
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