Christian Education
The Christian Education Departments are largely a part of the overall Parish Church Ministry; It involves effectively planning, organizing, and coordinating the different committees/groups and parts of the Church Education learning through the Christian Education Committee. The value and function of the Christian Education Committee is coordinating the teaching and training in the Parish in the following areas: –
- Planning, coordinating, summarizing, and reporting of all group learning/training; Giving talks in the Teens classes, b) Theological Education by Extension (TEE)
- Helps in avoiding overlaps and omissions in the content of the program as well as assisting each group to fulfill its special role in the church program
- Theological Education by Extension (TEE) both within the church and exposing and sponsoring of those in prison
To date the Christian Education Committee has graduated a lot of students in TEE from certificate to higher diploma level
Other O & E Highlights
- A memorable anniversary marking 10 years since the inauguration of the Parish was held in the year 2008.
- A program aimed at training domestic workers was launched, which bore tangible fruits in the number of people trained.
- The Social Responsibilities committee composed and launched a collection of songs into a songbook to enliven worship as well as raise funds for the charitable work of the group.
- Evangelism – rallies, crusades
- Mission – Nendeni – evangelization/mission
- Partnership and Collaborations of the Parish
MISSION AND EVANGELISM
Ilpatimaru and Iikeek-Oigero – M & E was instrumental in establishing Church congregations. It was also instrumental in sinking a borehole at Iikeek-Oigero as an evangelism tool. Over the last five years has conducted various missions and partnerships in Rwanda.
The Ministry of Mission and Evangelism has experienced a marked growth over the years. This was further boosted by a session resolution that 10% of the total budget of the Parish be allocated to mission work.
Various outreach events were carried on around the Lang’ata area, such as the Kenyatta University mission, in which around 100 people made decisions for the Lord. Missions outside the parish were conducted, such as to Ilpatimaro and Ilkeek- Oigero leading to the construction of a Church and the sinking of a borehole in Ilkeek-Oigero.
Several medical camps have also been organized by the O & E as evangelism missions, i.e., in Southlands Kijiji, Kware, and also Ilpatimaro: A church school was also inaugurated in Kware village under outreach and evangelism, with an Elder Charity Githinji overseeing its operation, with the aim of one day opening a fully-fledged congregation/branch of the Parish
BOARDS OF COMMITTEE/GROUPS
Youth Ministry
The Youth Ministry is divided into six clusters meant to serve the youth by addressing socio-spiritual needs. The group is between the ages of 19-35 years. As of April 2018 the membership of the youth stands at 100- 60 youth and 40 teens aged 13-18 years
- The youth service,
- The teens’ service – High school students
- The pathfinders/Young professionals – between 20 – 25 years of age
- The pacesetters, between 26 – 35 years of age
- The young couples – income earners
- Special program – “The Tafsiri Program”- Marriage/Relationship forum of those between 20 – 35 years.
- Ropes program is in place where mentorship is domiciled for the 13-14 year olds.
The youth have attended various camps like the Y-National Summit, Parish annual youth camp, and have benchmarked with Redhill Parish in Ngeca Presbytery, and participated in the Christeen Camp in April 2024.
The youth have a district of their own, which was allowed by the Presbytery on a pilot basis for 3yrs effective January 2022.
The Office of the Youth Coordinator
The office of the youth coordinator has been effective since 2011, and the following have been employed to serve in the office since then: Rev. John Calvin, Rev. Jacinta Muthoni, Bob, Apollo, Antony Murigi Ngure, and currently John Maina
The role of the coordinator has been to offer pastoral care; give advice/counsel; conduct bible studies in both the youth and teen members, as well as promote ecumenism among the youth. The coordinator gives a monthly report to the Church Management Board for evaluation and direction.
4.3 Church School
To effectively drive the vision of the Parish and of the Children’s Ministry, it is divided into the following clusters: –
- Children below 2 years of age sit with their parents in the crèche.
- Ages 3-4: Focuses introduction of God to this age group.
- Ages 7 to 9: Focuses on learning bible characters and how to emulate them.
- Ages 10 to 12: Focuses on memorizing scriptures and building of faith in God. (Pre-teens).
- ROPES program: This is a transition class for class 8 age students, focused on building life skills that will enable them to overcome challenges of high school.
Over the years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of Children to the current 160.
Boys and Girls Brigade
Boys and Girls Brigade is a disciplined, uniformed organization based on the twin pillars of religion and discipline. It is a Christian International and Interdenominational organization. The lessons given to children by officers are based on a four-square program comprising of Education, Social, Spiritual, and Physical learning, all comprising of both theoretical and practical learning. PCEA Lang’ata Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade was started in 1999. The PCEA Lang’ata Brigade was commissioned in October 2011 by the then Parish Minister, Rev. Albert Karanja.
Woman’s Guild
It is a women’s ministry of the Church which works in partnership and all encourage women of 20 years and above to join, be dedicated and serve God in the following areas: –
Physical Care of the church in cleaning, furnishing, and developing church utensils; mentoring young ones, the needy in the community; participating in education and counselling of the young; and outreach and evangelism ministries. As of July 2024, full membership of the WG stands at 160 dedicated and 23 followers.
Presbyterian Church Men’s Fellowship (PCMF)
PCMF was introduced to Langata PCEA by Elder James Githaiga (now deceased) towards the end of 1998. The first fellowship was held in his house at Ongata Rongai with Dr. Dan Gikonyo as the guest speaker.
The Computer College was established in 1999 by dedicated members of the Presbyterian Men Fellowship (PCMF). The centre is a modern and well-equipped (state-of-the-art) centre for learning, which offers beginners and users courses on IT.
As of 2017, the college had graduated 936 graduates to the glory of God.
The college’s plans are to offer other courses which include: Business Administration, Computerized Secretaries, Languages, and Accounting.
Board Of Social Responsibility Committee
- They came up with Song Books, which were sold to the members of the congregation as an income-generating project.
- The presence of the Board was felt during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they were able to feed and clothe families that were in dire need. Recently in the month of June 2024, the members partnered with PCEA Nairobi West, whereby they donated clothes and foodstuffs to victims of the El-Nino floods. Rev.________________ of Nairobi West Parish shared the word of God during the occasion. The members have come to the aid of our own members who have been fire victims in our Macedonia District.
Health Committee
- It runs Medical Camps and medical talks touching on various topics
Hospitality Committee
– Hospitality and care of visitors
Lang’ata PCEA Primary School
The School was started in 1992 as a nursery school with only 5 pupils and one teacher. It is now a full primary and secondary school with 600 Pupils,45 teachers, and a support staff of 12. The school has grown over the years with some establishments of different co-curricular activities and support activities: – Part of these activities includes: Sports and games; An active I.C.T centre; Library and library facilities; Swimming lessons; Music lessons; Scouts movement. The school also offers cheap and reliable transport for the children. Expansion is ongoing. The school’s first K.C.P.E. candidates sat for the exam in the year 2013.
PCEA Lang’ata Parish SACCO
The PCEA Lang’ata Sacco was started in 2003 and registered the same year in line with the PCEA Lang’ata Church Strategic Plan goal of economic empowerment of its members. It was humbly started with 20 members and has since grown to 310 members with a loan portfolio of KShs. 30 million.
The SACCO has empowered its members to buy land and build their homes therein, pay school fees, medical bills, and others to start their own businesses.
The SACCO is managed by a team of seven members of the Management Committee, together with the support of a Supervisory Committee of three members.
One of the core values of PCEA Lang’ata Church is to enhance ecumenism with the neighbouring churches. Towards this value, the SACCO has been exploring opening up its common bond to its neighbouring churches.
PIC (PARISH INVESTMENT COMMITTEE)
The Committee was initiated to look for ways and means of generating income to help the church meet its financial needs.
Achievement
- Participated in the purchase of the Parish manse in Ngei 1
- Bought land in Isinya for sale to members
- Out of its income and proceeds, it has bought 3 Flats in Lang’ata.
– Build a session board room, among other developments.
The Job Creators – TJC
TJC is a platform that aims to produce job creators and thereby solves one of the biggest causes of social problems in our society: unemployment. TJC is set up and run by local churches for employed and unemployed people who are considering starting their own initiatives, businesses, or becoming self-employed, etc. Lang’ata PCEA Parish Session, during its statutory meeting of 20th January 2012, approved the formation of The Job Creators-TJC with the objectives of identifying support for job seekers and harnessing the talents for mentorship, coaching, and role modeling. The TJC also builds capacity for the business orientation of the youth.