Self -Proclaimed Pastors a Growing Problem-Rev. Kihato

Pastors from different denominations and cultures cheer as Rev. Wesley Teixeira Alves, center a former criminal lawyer in Brazil was ordained as a Reverend to officially preach the gospel. The event took place last Sunday at the ANTOR church in Rockland Ma. where the new pastor will be based. pic by Jean -Simon Labady

by Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News, posted FEB 22, 2011

ROCKLAND, Mass.,_Kenyans and Christians everywhere need to be wary of the increasing number of self- proclaimed pastors who pose a grave danger to the propagation of the true gospel of Jesus Christ and the correct spiritual stewardship of the flock.

 The warning was sounded by Rev. Carl-Philip Kihato of the ANTOR Christian Church in Rockland, Massachusetts last Sunday (20th February 2011) during the ordination of Rev. Wesley Teixeira Alves, a former criminal lawyer in Brazil who now joins the ANTOR church as a pastor.

In his sermon derived from Nehemiah 1 & 2, Rev. Kihato said that there was a divine need to carry our ministry work in the right and true way. He defined ministry as “The process of helping people from where they are to where God wants them to be; helping people from being who they are to being who God wants them to be.”

Rev. Kihato said that there was need to deal with the problem of self-declared ministers in the church which is very prevalent in the world today. Rev. Phillip argued that ministry is a profession like any other and those who desire to do it must meet the requirements.

“If you cannot wake up in the morning, claim to be a doctor and start treating people, so also you can not  wake up in the morning and declare yourself an apostle, reverend, pastor, bishop, cardinal  or any other minister”, said Rev. Kihato.

 “Like any other profession, there are standards, qualifications, training and relevant process and documents needed for one to be a minister”, he added.

Rev. Carl Phillip Kihato

He pointed out that true ministry must be borne from concern for Gods people; and, seeking God through prayer and fasting must be done before anyone got into any Christian ministry.

 During the ceremony, Wesley Teixeira Alves officially became Reverend Wesley Teixeira Alves after an anointing process conducted by the Pastor of the church, Rev. Carl Phillip Kihato.

 The ordination was  attended by  pastors from various denominations including  the President of Kenyan Pastors‟ Fellowship (KPF), Bishop David Karaya, Rev. Dr. Joseph Kimatu (Tumaini Community Church, Springfield, MA), Rev. Joseph Ngotho (St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Lynn, MA), Rev. Peter Kiama (St. John’s Anglican Church, Leicester, MA), Rev. Joseph Waiyaki (Faith Service Ministries, Lowell, MA), Rev. Joseph Nyamoki (Springs of Victory Ministries) and Rev. Jeremiah Githere (Grace International Church, Lowell, MA) who was also the Master of Ceremony in the occasion.

 Other guests who graced the ceremony were Rev. Bill Harding (United Church of Christ, Quincy, MA) and Rev. Alex J. Lu (Chinese Nazarene Church) both of who are military officers in the US Army. The latter attended in full military uniform. Sergeant Patrick Kennedy also of the US Army attended too.

Mrs. Anne Phillip, the pastor’s wife, led the congregation in lively praise and worship session with “Prince Monilez Mosh” (Enock Wambugu) on the keyboard.

The ordination candidate was presented by Rev. Joseph Nyamoki and Mr. Symon Peter Maringa. Before being ordained, Rev. Wesley signed a 2-page legally binding document commonly known as “Ordination Vows.” This document was also signed by a witness Ms. Sharon Houlahan.

The main event of the ceremony involved the biblical anointing with oil; and a charge made to the candidate by Rev. Phillip, followed by the laying on of hands by all the pastors and an ordination prayer made by Rev. Dr. Kimatu while Rev. Jeremiah Githere gave the Holy Communion.

The prestigious and most coveted Certificate of Ordination which is the legal document that qualifies one to be a Christian Minister was signed in the presence of the congregation by Rev. Phillip and Rev. Jeremiah. It contained the official seal of ANTOR Christian Church which makes it valid.

Rev. Wesley Teixeira Alves received a certificate of ordination from Rev. Carl Phillip Kihato and Rev. Jeremiah Githere

Tears streaked down his cheeks as he was presented with the certificate and introduced to the congregation for the first time as the newly-ordained Rev. Wesley Khristopher Teixeira Alves.

The new Reverend gave a touching speech and expressed his joy on being ordained a Pastor.

Guests were later treated in a warm reception which was climaxed by the cutting of a cake in the church hall.

Guests expressed joy and happiness after the occasion which was the first of its kind in the Church and the Kenyan community in the South Shore area.

Few ordination ceremonies have taken place within the Kenyan community in the New England region, where many people have witnessed an influx of many pastors with unverified credentials, who set up churches that are seen to operate with impunity for the benefit of the pastors and a clique of supporters looking to serve more of their self interests rather than propagating the true gospel.
 
Recently however, two ordinations took place in broad daylight, to the delight of many in the close knit community.

Rev. Catherine Mwangi , a daughter of renown Kenyan International Evangelist, Teresiah Wairimu, was ordained to serve as a preacher serving at the  Faith Family Center, in Boston  together with  her husband Felix Mwangi .

 The ceremony was conducted by Bishop Francis Kamau from Kenya. Also, the ordination of Pastor Sarah Wanjiku Kibiri of Jamhuri Gospel Church, Worcester, MA took place recently in a ceremony conducted by Bishop Stephen Chege from Kenya.

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