On the 26^th and 27^th of November 2021, we held a two day seminar for grassroots church leaders in Mwembe area, Vihiga County, Kenya. Forty-five (45) church leaders from Riverside Pentecostal church and its neighboring churches attended the seminar. These included the pastors and church officials, most of whom are women leaders.

The theme of the seminar was “Healthy shepherd, healthy sheep.” Rev. Bernard Amianda and Ms. Florah Kidula facilitated the sessions. Rev. Amianda has been part of our TLAfrica Materials production team in Kenya, and has been writing a manual on ‘Evangelism and healthy church growth.’ He is a Missions doctoral student at Africa International University, Nairobi. The goal of the seminar was to encourage and challenge the church leaders to better their personal relationship with God and their church leadership skills, and to lead their churches towards pursuing the Great Commission. On Day 1, the two facilitators shared on ‘Qualities of a healthy shepherd’, ‘Personal devotion’ and ‘The Role of the shepherd in the health of the church.’ On Day 2, they shared on ‘Characteristics of a healthy Church’ and, ‘Financial health: Self-reliance for Churches and Ministries in Africa’.

The participants appreciated TLAfrica’s ministry to rural pastors. They expressed a few key thoughts: One, that the training was such a refreshing ministry to them, giving them new strength in the work of God. They said that as ministers, they are ever giving to the people and sometimes they run dry, but such seminars re-energize them. Two, that they would love if TLAfrica extended the sessions so that they sharpen their church leadership skills and basic theological knowledge. They thought the seminar was short. Three, that they desire to venture into projects to support their families and churches financially, but would desire more training on the same.

All the participants received certificates of participation, and the sessions ended with a praise celebration of traditional Luhya music and dancing.