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PCEA Imani Church Celebrates Second Annual Convention, Raise $14,000 for Church Building Project

A section of worshippers during the well attended PCEA Imani church Second Annual Convention that took place last week.The church held a mini fundraiser today, Sunday November 14, towards purchasing a church building where over $10,000 was raised. by H.Maina/Ajabu Media

By Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News, posted November 14 , 2010 .Updated 8 pm.

LOWELL, Mass.The new and fast growing PCEA Imani church in Lowell Mass. held what many called a very successful second annual convention last week, and raised about $14,000 today Sunday, in a mini fund raiser towards purchasing a church building.

Started three years ago by several visionary leaders seeking to provide a new place of worship and leadership for Kenyans who used to be members of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) back in their motherland now living in the area of Lowell and environs, PCEA Imani church has gradually grown from about 10 members to an average of 80 members in attendance during Sunday services.

The church is splinter from the larger PCEA Ushindi church, also located in Lowell.

However the church also “welcomes members of other denominations who are looking for a church to attend”, said Evangelist John Nyaga, one of the frequent preachers at the new church while speaking to Ajabu Africa News in a pre- convention interview.

During the 2 day convention last week that took place on Saturday October 30 and Sunday October 31, worshippers were treated to powerful praise and worship sessions followed by speeches and sermons from several guests of honor, with Kiswahili/English interpreters providing lively interpretations to the diverse audience, reminding many of the fiery weekend preachers in villages across Kenya.

Among the guests of honor who attended the ceremony included Lucas Kimani, president of the National Executive Board of the Kenya Christian Fellowship in America, from Baltimore Maryland, Joseph Mburu from Worcester, Ma and Johnson Kinyua from Atlanta, Georgia

Brother Lucas Kimani, president of the National Executive Board of the Kenya Christian Fellowship in America (right) listens as David Ndungu "Brown", the interprets the introduction of Kimani's wife, Martha, during the final session of the PCEA Imani church Second Annual Convention held recently in Lowell, Mass..

Speaking during the final session of the convention on Sunday evening, Lucas Kimani , the KCFA president, said that he was glad to have an opportunity to visit the people of Boston and share a few words of inspiration with them .

Accompanied by his wife, Martha Kimani, and the assigned interpreter, David Ndungu "Brown" of Lawrence, Mass., Kimani said that the KCFA chapters were increasing in many areas all over the US and asked Kenyans in Massachusetts to support the work of the growing Kenyan Christian’s network in the Diaspora.

“We are happy to be here to celebrate this important milestone of growth with PCEA Imani church”, said Kimani. We wish you all the best in the continuous growth of the church”, he added.

While conducting a short sermon at the fund raising ceremony held on Sunday, Novenber 14, the chairman of the church, Peter Gaitho callled upon all the Kenyan faithful in the US to realize that they are here in America at this time for a reason.

He said that Kenyans have a void to fill in the American faith system because majority of Americans have turned away from the word of God, yet they were the ones sending many missionaries to Africa during the early years.

"God wants us to own and inherit good things right here in America.But before we get to inherit them, we must first of all examine our hearts to make sure they are right with God", said the chairman.

He added that the things that we do as parents of young Kenyan Americans will determine what our children will inherit.

"We have to build churches in America while people here are closing down and selling church buildings for lack of congregations, so that we can leave the right kind of inheritance to our children", said brother Gaitho.

He asked guests that when they give to build a church "give out of the abundance of your heart, and do not despise humble beginings".

The well attended mini-fund raising event collected over $10,000 towards the purchase of a church building.

Among the guests of honor present were Sarah Mbogo, a well known Kenyan gospel musician from Lowell, Harrison Maina, the publisher of Ajabu Africa, Daniel Mwangi, the treasurer of the PCEA Imani church and John Gachuki, a tax preparer from Lowell who represented David Mwaura (Ithe wa-Njau), a well known Kenyan elder from Nashua, New Hampshire.

Speaking to Ajabu Africa News about the recent convention, Moses Mugo, the vice chairman of the church, and the secretary to the evangelism committee that coordinated the preparations of the convention, thanked all those who attended.

He added that the entire church leadership was very excited at the success of the convention.

“Our first convention last year was a trial. This year, the convention went beyond our expectation with a very high attendance and people saying that they were happy with the outcome”, said Mugo, who is also the Sunday school coordinator.

Mugo added that the church was doing very well in spite of what many people said when it was started three years ago.

He said that all the departments of the church were very active and fully operational, with leaders who are elected to serve only for a year before fresh elections are held.

Evangelist John Nyaga

Moses Mugo, Vice Chairman

According to the officials of the church, the next annual church leadership elections are slated to be held later this month on the 21st November for the various church groups, and on the 28th November for the church board.

“Our men’s fellowship, women’s guild, the youth group, and the sunday school are all very active and fully operational.The elected leaders serve with one heart”, said the excited Mugo in a post convention interview with Ajabu Africa.

The church has amazed many people at how it has managed to keep growing even without an officially ordained pastor, but with a team of leaders serving as an evangelism commitee dedicated to serving God and man first, they always meet to delibarate on who is to preach at what time. Their recommendations are then passed on to the church board for final approval.

Evangelist Nyaga closed the fund raising event with a vote of thanks to the guests of honor and all who attended the ceremony for their generous contributions.

"We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.May our God bless you", said Evalngelist Nyaga.

"This was a big success", said John Mbuthi, chairman of the finance commitee of the church. We felt that the goal that we had planned for at this time was met, and more money is still pouring in from others who could not make it here today". We are happy for all the support we got from everyone and we thank you all", he added .

Ajabu Pictorial of the 2nd Annual Convention