Bible Society of Kenya held a successful 53^rd Hybrid National Annual General Meeting on March 23rd, 2024, at Citam Valley Road.

This annual meeting is held for BSK registered members where they come to interact, receive reports of performance for the previous year, elect Council members and get projections on the upcoming plans for the year. The meeting was attended by members from different BSK branches.

The devotion was led by Rev. Tony Kiama who spoke Psalm 91.1 on the theme Wishful thinking. The sermon explored two key benefits of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High noting that God will be our refuge and our fortress and when we pray with sincerity, God hears our needs and answers our prayers. He encouraged members were encouraged to lead by example, stand for what is right in the eyes of God for we shall be accountable of what God has entrusted us with.

The NAGM provided a chance for members to network and introduce the Council to the members. The Council Chairman Prof. Mumo Kisau thanked the Council members and members for their commitment to steering the mission of the Bible Society of Kenya to greater heights. Branch officials who had served for long were appreciated for their tireless support to BSK.

The Council Chairman challenged members to actively recruit more members who will help in implementing BSK work in different Counties for enhanced impact in the Country. Staff who had served BSK for five years and above were awarded for their commendable service to the Society.

We thank all members for attending and participating in the NAGM.

Bible Society of Kenya branches continue to participate and implement various programmes that help the Society to achieve her mandate at the County level.

A summit was held for branch chairpersons on March 15th, 2024, where they interacted and shared ideas on how to improve and grow their respective branches.

Representatives from ten branches attended the meeting that was graced by the Council Chair, Prof. Mumo Kisau, and the Chair of the Programmes Committee, Mrs. Nyambura Musyimi. In the meeting branch leaders presented reports on the activities and progress of their respective branches, as well as to strategic plans for 2024.

The General Secretary Mrs. Elizabeth Muriuki emphasized the importance of collaboration, and effective communication among branches to achieve BSK goals. The Council Chair Prof. Mumo reiterated the significance of aligning branch initiatives with the overall strategic direction of the Society to enhance impact and sustainability.

In addition, Mrs. Musyimi provided valuable insights on best practices for programme development and implementation, encouraging branches to focus on outcomes and measurable impact in their community engagement efforts to make BSK known.

The branch leaders plan to enhance member engagement and retention in branches, enhance inter-branch communication, streamline reporting mechanisms, and leverage technology for improved efficiency and effectiveness.

Bible Society of Kenya held a Life Essentials Study Bible training on March 13th, 2024, at the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC) in Machakos.

The training aimed to equip the 44 Clergy who oversee 85 ABC Churches on the use of the Life Essentials Study Bible (LESB) and its essential teachings.

The Bible contains unique features that are beneficial to the Clergy members including, Interpretation of key biblical passages, application of biblical teachings in everyday life, understanding the historical context of the Bible and using the Life Essentials Study Bible as a resource for sermon preparation.

Interactive sessions and group discussions were incorporated into the session to encourage active participation and foster a deeper understanding of the material presented.

The Clergy actively engaged in discussion sessions and showed enthusiasm for learning and applying the teachings of the Life Essentials Study Bible in their ministries. They appreciated the training, noting that it was a valuable opportunity for them to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

The participants further indicated a desire to implement BSK programmes in their Churches and community at large. We thank God for the opportunity to empower Church leaders with resources to enhance their ministries.

The Society held a successful monitoring visit to the Thika Primary School for the Visually impaired on 11th March 2024 to monitor the use of Braille Scriptures that were distributed in 2019.

The visit involved checking the status of the Scriptures at the school’s library, accessibility by both the learners and teachers, their use, and the impact realized.

The Headteacher Mrs. Peninah Mutuku noted that the Braille Bibles have been beneficial to the children as they shape their moral values, and they can find answers to life questions as they individually read the Bibles. She added that the Braille Bibles have been a major boost to spreading God’s Word beyond the institutional level to the children’s families as the gadgets serve as a link between the children and their support system.

The Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers observed that the learners can read the Braille Bibles for themselves, the learner’s Braille skills have improved and there are increased Bible engagement activities such as memory verse competitions in the school.

Testimonies

“I first interacted with Braille Bible in 2021. I study the Bible every day and like the book of Genesis because it teaches about how God created the world. What inspires me to study the Bible is to know God more and develop good moral values. My inspiration comes from Daniel 6:21-22 which I can recite. CRE is my best subject. Since I began interacting with the Bible my performance in CRE has improved.” Quinter Kerobo.

“I first interacted with Braille Scriptures in 2016. I study the Bible three times a day. I like the book of Genesis and Philippians because of the creation story and the joy of salvation. The Bible has helped me to know how to pray and preach the Word of God. My favourite memory verse is in Hebrews 13:8.” Teddy Macharia.

The school is grateful for the Bibles and looks forward to partner with BSK to integrate other BSK programmes that will enhance more Scripture engagement activities that will help create more impact among learners and teachers, including Programme for Pastoral Instruction (PP1) and Open the Book.

We thank God for the opportunity to avail Scriptures to all.

It was a great day of celebration when the Bible Society of Kenya launched its 13th Branch, Embu branch! on March 2, 2024.

The launch of the Embu branch is a significant milestone for the Society as branches play a vital role in representing and implementing BSK programmes at the grassroots level. 

The colourful event was organized by the ACK diocese of Mbeere, led by Rt. Rev. Dr. Moses Masamba, Bishop of the Mbeere diocese. 

During the launch ceremony, the General Secretary of BSK Mrs. Elizabeth Muriuki expressed the commitment of BSK to run programmes in Embu County to benefit the local community. She reiterated that BSK will support and equip the Church to help people in the Embu community who are grappling with mental, emotional, and psychological trauma caused by alcoholism and drug addiction to find healing through God’s word.

With the support of key stakeholders and community leaders, BSK plans to implement programmes that will enhance the quality of life and promote the spiritual growth of the people that will benefit from BSK programmes such as trauma healing, tackling alcoholism, and Bible distribution, among others. 

To form a branch, contact us at 0704448917.

Bible Society of Kenya hosted a consultative meeting for Chief Executive Officers and Board Chairpersons from 43 African Bible Societies from 26th February – 2nd March 2024 in Westlands Nairobi.

This meeting aimed to discuss the access, use and impact of the Bible in Africa. The forum also brought together stakeholders from Church and Parachurch organizations that work together to see the word of God transform lives in Africa.

The forum aimed to empower and equip the leadership in Africa to address specific challenges in their communities. The Bible Society of Kenya Council Chairman Prof. Mumo Kisau reiterated that the Bible Societies not only print and publish Bibles but also do Bible engagement to encourage people to read the Bible.

Mr. Dirk Gevers, the Secretary General of United Bible Societies, noted that Africa encounters several challenges including affordability of Bibles, multitude of languages, political instability, conflict areas, and migration between African countries, hence noting that Bible translation is key as it provides an opportunity to avail the Bible to all.

The General Secretary Mrs. Elizabeth Muriuki challenged the Church and Christians at large to work together to address the challenges facing our Country.

We thank God for a successful meeting.

Did you know that children raised by parents with little or no formal education end up performing poorly?

Did you know some of these children and teens end up dropping out from school due to lack of fees because well, financial constraints are huge due to high poverty level?

Did you know FGM also leads to school drop out in some regions such as Kuria community in western Kenya?

Imagine being in such an environment as a child or teen? How can their parent even comprehend the place of the bible? Such children feel helpless and hopeless but see this, we can join God in redefining this narrative by providing hope through the word because they too are god’s creation, and their circumstances must not and will not determine their future.

Yes, that is why from 19th to 26th February 2024, Bible Society of Kenya visited 34 schools reaching 16,756 children and teens in 5 days in Migori County yet again!  In 2023 we lit a flame of providing bibles to 29 schools and wisdom to those girls who were at risk of FGM or had already been cut https://www.facebook.com/groups/240197529331215/search/…a school after another! Praise God!

Just like Jesus created a movement that has become multigenerational, we too, desire to see movements everywhere for Christ in the schools, homes, and churches that these young one’s step into! We believe for it! From growing into the knowledge of god’s word to embracing positive values, we trust God that these ones will be a force in their generation!

We took time to visit schools where girls have run to as a haven and refuge for them because home is battleground for FGM! We listened to their stories, hugged, smiled, cried, sang, and prayed in thanksgiving to God for sustaining them. They too received bibles!

We thank God for the place of network that allowed BSK to meet and partner with team Jesus into spreading his love to the children in this county! Not only did we distribute bibles, but we also planted trees because #creationcare is paramount! We took time to inform children, teachers, workers and even parents on the importance of trees in bible course and their role in fighting for environmental justice!

Our partners, you support the unlocking of the faith of many children in Kenya through your generosity. Thank you. Those who pray for the least such as these, thank you.

Bible Society of Kenya held a successful graduation for 29 mentees who went through the Catalysing Leaders Training on February 24th, 2024, at All Africa Conference of Churches.

This is a seven-month training and mentorship programme that equips young leaders with Biblical values, skills, knowledge, and mentorship to become authentic, relational, and transformational leaders with integrity.

For seven months, the youth were challenged and nurtured to be servant leaders that would influence their leadership spaces guided by Bible-based principles.

The training sessions were conducted by renowned Professors like Mumo Kisau, the BSK Board Chairman, Dr. Girma Mohammed, Dr. Joshva Raja from British and Foreign Bible Societies and other guest speakers from who shared their knowledge and expertise in leadership.

The General Secretary Mrs. Elizabeth Muriuki lauded the youth for their dedication in learning and urged them to be agents of change in their spaces of leadership. She encouraged them to get mentors who will hold their hands and guide them through the journey of leadership.

The program wasn’t all lectures and discussions, community leaders were interviewed so that the youth could learn from their successes and failures. In addition, the group interactive sessions were full of energy as participants debated the application of biblical wisdom to real-world problems. 

The Catalysing Leaders training is a movement that will inspire the next generation of leaders to make positive change in Kenya and beyond. All the graduands received a certificate and Bible from BSK, a reminder that they should always seek Gods guidance in all they do.

To register for this programme, call 0722205843 or email ochami@biblesociety-kenya.org

Trusting is to have a firm belief in the reliability, truth or ability of someone or something. When we say we are Trusting God, we mean we believe in His reliability, His Word, His ability, and strength. God is a promise keeper.

Ever been in a situation where you trust in God for something magnificent, grand that it will only take God? Be it Trusting for healing, job or something.  The Lord is faithful to His word. He says He won’t withhold anything good to those who love Him.

God is all knowing. He knew us even before the world was formed. He knows our plans, desires, wishes and all about us. Even the most impossible thing we expect. He makes ways in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Is there anything too hard for Him?

God is faithful in keeping His promise of provision. When we seek His kingdom, He’ll add us all the other things. When we believe in our impossibilities, we free God to do the impossible in our lives.  We are not to limit God by our imagination and fears.

Look at Daniel, when everyone thought He’ll be swallowed up by the lions, God shut their mouths. God at any point of time, when we trust Him, He’s able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or imagine.

We need to trust God for all we need. His plans for our lives will succeed when we align ourselves to His will and direction. His name is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.

He’s a great and mighty God. We need to trust Him and not rely in our own understanding but acknowledge Him in everything.

By: Catherine Khayali – ABLI Alumni 2020