SERVING THE LORD IN KENYA AND TANZANIA

Letter from Rev Dr Mark Kim

 

 

BCEA Kenya

Dear Co-Laborers in the Lord,

An issue that has always burdened my heart while serving at the Campus Church at BCEA, is whether our current system of fellowship with members, only through the Sunday worship and Saturday home fellowship, is sufficient. We are unable, while juggling the work of training ministers at BCEA, to attend to the whole needs of our church members. I do also worry that our church model cannot be a good example to the College students who are training for full-time ministry. A question that I repeatedly face is whether it is better, as faculty to worship with our students on Sundays, or to open our service to any outsiders who may wish to join us.

Last month, a member of our congregation said goodbye to our church, as she was leaving Nairobi for her home. We have always called her “Mama Timothy.” She had been worshipping with us for over a decade, but had to say goodbye, with plans to return to her birth-place. Mama Timothy lost her sight as a result of a brain tumor a few years ago, and although she underwent surgery to correct her vision, she never recovered it. Over 40 years old and blind, she could hardly do anything without the assisting hand of another person. Yet she never missed a Sunday—at times led by her daughter’s hand, and at times led by the hand of another church member. City life became increasingly difficult, and so she made the decision to return to her home in the country-side. After blessing us with a song during her last service with us, she said the following words: “I praise and thank God for giving me eternal life and maturing me through the services at this church. I am especially thankful for Pastor Kim who enabled me, through the teaching of the Word, to overcome with faith, the hardship of losing my sight. I will miss you, Pastor. I will miss all of you very much. Goodbye. I love you.” Jesus said that a soul is worth more than the whole world. Through Mama Timothy, I realized that it is right for us to welcome anyone who may wish to join the College community for worship on Sundays. May the Lord enable us to continue serving to the best of our ability.

Starting next weekend, BCEA is in recess for the summer holidays. One hundred and five students enrolled to study this past term. As each term begins and ends, I ask myself whether I am doing things out of routine. I hope that the students that God has sent to this place will not become professionals but passionate ministers of the Lord. I pray that through their feet, the Gospel will be spread and souls will be saved. I pray that God will use them for such a blessed miracle. I pray that BCEA will be a school of prophets where such ministers will continue to come and be trained until the Lord’s return.

We are looking forward to, and resolved to starting the next term in September with a refreshed heart. Rev. Eben Yoon will on sabbatical leave in the USA, and my daughter Deborah will be in the UK for doctoral study. Preacher James Chen from Singapore, who served at BCEA a couple of years ago, wrote to say that he wished to come back next year. I praise God for moving his heart and pray that God will enable his move to be made smoothly without setbacks.

It is through your prayers and support that we continue to serve on this field. God bless. I will write again.

In the Bond of Christ,

Mark and Hannah Kim

July 2015

[The Rev Dr Mark Kim is Principal of the Bible College of East Africa (Nairobi, Kenya) and a missionary of The Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions (Bible Presbyterian Church USA). The above is his July 2015 prayer letter through the IBPFM. Mark Kim holds a EdD degree from FEBC.]

Email from Rev Dr Park Seung Kyu

Dear Dr Khoo,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Bible College of East Africa, Tanzania

The new semester started on August 3, 2015 with 20 students. We do not know the exact number of students yet because some students come later during the two weeks after the school’s opening day.

This semester we reorganized the college system from 3 years curriculum to 4 years. If it is possible, we are trying to follow BCEA Kenya and FEBC. I recommend lecturers to use FEBC books.

We offer students Hebrew Elementary course for this semester. This is the first time since the College was established. I am teaching the elementary courses of both Greek and Hebrew. Apasia was teaching Greek Elementary last semester, but she could not come for this semester for her personal reasons. I think I was a good student of Mrs Tow.

So now the College has only 4 lecturers. We need more faithful teachers. Please, pray for this also.

I am also teaching Homiletics with My homiletic Swimming Pool by Rev Dr Timothy Tow. I follow Rev Tow’s style to encourage the students who preached in the morning.

In addition, I brought graduation gowns for lecturers and students from Korea.

Kindergarten

The kindergarten is running well. We are trying to teach them the knowledge of salvation. Please pray for salvation of the students of the kindergarten. Now the children are enjoying their one month holidays. The kindergarten shall reopen on the 1st day of September.

A few days ago, we bought a photocopying machine. Of course we will share it with the College. It brings us great convenient because we are spending several hours when we have to copy something.

And I need your permission. Few days ago, Pastor Judah has asked me to help one kindergarten under his denomination. One Korean missionary started that kindergarten, but now he says he will stop to support that kindergarten. If we are not going to help, it would be closed down soon. I am not asking you to send us more money, but to allow us to share what you have already sent us. We are saving money to build one more kindergarten class room in necessity. But I think it is better to help another kindergarten to save the souls.

Prayer Requests

For the College: 1. For new students – settlement. 2. For lecturers – wisdom and health. 3. For renovation project – residences for lecturers and guest house. 4. For 9th Anniversary on September 2.

For the Kindergarten: 1. For new term from September 1. 2. For Vacation Bible School with the Sunday School of the church in December under Miss Bae Eun Young from Nairobi, Kenya.

For Glory B-P Church: 1. For Vacation Bible School in December. 2. For good interpreter from Kiswahili to English for worship service.

For myself: 1. For car. 2. For school for children in Tanzania. 3. For internet access. 4. For teaching as main speaker for Alumni Conference of BCEA Kenya, August 17-21. 5. For wife returning back to Korea on August 24.

In Christ,

Park SK

August 10, 2015

[The Rev Dr Park Seung Kyu is a ThD graduate of FEBC and now serves full-time in BCEA Tanzania together with other FEBC graduates Judah Pallangyo, Joseph Amos Mbise, and Apasia Moshi.]

FEBC GOSPEL MEETING

Please invite your family and friends to FEBC’s gospel meeting to be held on Thursday September 24, a public holiday, 7 pm in the church sanctuary, 9A Gilstead Road. The Principal will be the Lord’s messenger. Message will come with Chinese interpretation.