Mission
Kenya
Our work in Kenya revolves around the support and teaching in a rural area in Siaya, situated in Western Kenya. This is comprised of two distinct aspects.
Peace Church has a leadership of six, and meets at the Home of Peace Orphanage. The church draws in people from the surrounding area and beyond.
Julie and Ray take it in turns to teach via an international phone line at the Peace Church service one Sunday a month.
Peace Church has also begun a new church plant near the border of Tanzania. Julie has taught at the new congregation on a number of occasions via mobile phone. We regularly hear testimonies come back of both decisions for Christ and of healing.
The second aspect of our work in Kenya involves the teaching of rural pastors.
Local leaders come together twice a month on a Saturday morning for the purpose of encouragement and study, with Julie and Ray taking it in turns to teach them once a month. The importance of sound Bible teaching for these leaders cannot be underestimated. These local leaders have not had the opportunity of formal theological studies, and yet lead sacrificially in their remote settings. The link we give them is a lifeline in training and leadership development.
We have also helped to support two homes for vulnerable children and orphans, which has involved direct mission work with Ministers from Life going out to Kenya. This work led to the setting up of Peace Church, and of the rural pastors training programme.
Please contact Julie Shimizu on 01403 218842 for further information.
Mission Reports
2010
In February 2010, A team of 10 (Alan George, Anna Pisani, Hilary Smith, John Milborrow, Mark Shimizu, Pauline Jepps, Ray White, Scott Carr, Stuart Parkins and Julie Shimizu) returned to Kenya to teach, and visit the orphanage and Church plants. Click here for the report (pdf) of what went on while they were there.
2009
In January 2009, Julie Shimizu, Pauline Jepps, and Anna Pisani went back to Kenya to teach, and visit the orphanage and recent Church plant. Click here for the report of what went on while they were there.
2007
In November 2007, A team from our church went to Kisumu, Kenya to build a playground for the Osare Orphanage. Click here for the report of what went on while they were there.
Later, Julie Shimizu and Anna Pisani went back to Kisumu to re-visit the orphanage and to visit the two churches that had been birthed during last year's trip. Click here for the report of what went on while they were there.
2006
In October 2006, A team from our church went on mission to Kenya to teach, pray, and re-visit Kisumu. Click here for the reports of what went on while they were there.
Moldova
Moldova is a former Soviet Union republic, and Europe’s poorest country.
As a result of high unemployment and very low wages, up to a quarter of the population work abroad. The social impact is enormous. Many children are left with relatives or abandoned, and with problems with corruption, alcohol and drugs; many young women fall victim to people traffickers.
Through our partnerships, we aim to provide support to local organisations and churches in their work in the community. This includes tackling the terrible people trafficking issue, and encouraging them through working together on specific projects, particularly with children and young people.
Our support for social, community and outreach work has included our youth groups going over to work with the Moldovans at the children's camps they arrange at Lacu Rosu, Romania. This involved organising children’s clubs and camps, supporting the Moldovan leaders, and helping to encourage and train emerging young leaders.
Our links have also included a church in the village of Malcoci, which has also organised summer youth camps and activities, and has involved our youth group going over to work with them.
We have helped the congregation erect a church building to serve as a community focus. One of their community projects is running a children’s Day Centre, called "Centrul De Ancora Sperantei" (translated "Anchor of Hope Centre"), for some of the poorest children in the area, which we help to support.
For more information contact Brian Howell on 01403 260666
Benidorm
We support and pray for those from our church who have been called to serve God overseas for short term or long term mission.
In June 2008, A team from our church, together with Rev Lynda Hulcoop from Southwick Christian Community Church, went on a short evangelistic mission trip to Benidorm, entitled “PowerPoint 2008 – Life: What’s the point and where is the power?”.
Click here to read the report of what went on while they were there.