ANOTHER WOMAN GOSPEL MINISTER DEDICATED  

Saturday 25 of the month of May saw yet another woman inaugurated as a minister of the Word of God. The ordination of Jessie Mutura, which was presided over by Bishop and Reverend Akosua Opirim, was also graced by other notables in the Kenyan Christian scene. These included Bishops Justus Wanjala of Gospel Lighthouse Churches of Kenya, Joseph Ogutu of St. John Everlasting Church, Josiah Otweyo, and Robert Mudzomba, Chairman of the local chapter of International Ministerial Council of Great Britain (IMCGB) and also Bishop of Gospel Revival Churches International, among others. Also present was Reverend Victor of Winner’s Chapel, pastor of the Lady of the day, Sister Jessie Mutura, and Reverend Dennis Odhiambo of Great Commission Fellowship who was the master of ceremony.

In his dedication speech, Bishop Akosua told Reverend Jessie Mutura to be ‘faithful, gentle, patient, tolerant, and loving’. He said this while dedicating her as a fulltime minister with AfroVision. He urged her to preach the Gospel with simplicity and honesty. Saying that she has been called to serve, he charged her to be strong even in the face of temptation and persecution. ‘Keep up the faith. A crown of righteousness will be awaiting you if do God’s will’, he encouraged her.

  The colourful and Holy Ghost-inundated ceremony started at around 1.30 pm with a vibrant session of praise and worship where all present jumped and danced in honour and reverence to the Almighty God. Sister Angela Chimbalonza, one of the leading Kenyan Gospel artistes led the charged congregation with one of her most popular hit singles, Jina la Yesu. As we settled in our seats, St. Paul’s Choir (I hope I have the name correct) gave us a wonderful number, called Lean on Me. As they sang, I could not help but wonder whether it was in order for the Church to borrow lyrics and rhythms from secular musicians. It struck me that what I was listening to was a remanufactured version one of secular pop musician Michael Bolton’s love ballads. Away from my personal musings, it was now time for Sister Jessie to make her grand entrance to the hall. Heralded by a procession of Bishops and evangelists, most of them in their ceremonial regalia, the ordination procession graciously made it’s way to the podium amidst applause from the congregation.

The Master of Ceremony, the diplomatic Reverend Dennis Odhiambo, took over the stage and went on to introduce all the guests who had graced the occasion. As he introduced them, I could not help but admire his diplomacy and courtesy. Here was a young, just five years my elder, and yet he had done so much within a very short span of time. As I watched him read the names of the guests, I could tell he was destined for greater things. Saying that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile, Reverend Dennis urged the congregation to be jovial and excited as this was not an ordinary meeting.

Next it was time for Jesus’ Children’s Home to minister with song, dance, poetry, and biblical verses. Led by their adopted mum Evangelist Mama Bonnke, the widowed, mostly Maasai children, stole out hearts as they sang and danced their hearts out for the Lord. They were so articulate and real that we were all enthralled by their performance. As I watched them sing and dance for the Lord, my heart went out to Evangelist mama Bonnke and her daughter who have devoted their lives to evangelize the Maasai. God will surely reward you mama.

After reading a letter written by Jessie’s husband who was unable to attend the ceremony due to other commitments, Reverend Victor of Winner’s Chapel, Jessie’s pastor, said that unless we are committed, we cannot reap the full benefits of the Kingdom of God. Saying that Sister Jessie is a committed and dedicated servant of God, he emphasized that unless a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone. He said that Jesus had called Sister Jessie into fulltime ministry because of her dedication and commitment. He ended his commendation by saying that it was his prayer and that of his congregation that the same Voice of God that called her will strengthen her as she ministers with AfroVision

THINK INTERNATIONALLY – BISHOP MUDZOMBA ADIVISES

The Great Commission must be understood with an international thinking and an apostolic vision. Bishop Robert Mudzomba said this during the dedication ceremony of Sister Jessie Mutura of AfroVision. Stressing that it was a message, not a sermon, the eloquent Bishop read from the Book of Matthew 28: 17-20 where Jesus Christ commissioned His disciples to traverse the world preaching and teaching the Gospel, healing the sick, and discipling nations.

 With the commission, Jesus Christ has also given us power (Acts Ch 1) to declare and win battles over the enemy. Noting that it was a joy to serve the Mighty God, Bishop Robert said that Jesus has given us the power of attorney. This power, he said, cannot be overruled by the devil. He urged the congregation to stop revolving around one place. ‘It’s time to extend your boundaries. After preaching in Jerusalem, you must move on to Judea, Samaria, and to the outermost parts of the world’, he charged.

Sister Jessie, he said, was being ushered into the commission of Jesus Christ and with that commission, He was also giving her the power of attorney. ‘Don’t stay in one place. That’s the problem with Kenyan Christians. We stay in one place for too long. You have stayed too long in Jerusalem. It’s time to venture into Judea, Samaria, and to the outermost parts of the world’, he advised. He urged the congregation to acquire an apostolic vision overstaying in one place.

He said that ministers must be accountable for the gifts God has given them. ‘What are you doing with the anointing that God has given you? For every gift we receive from God, we must give an account. The sky is your limit. Lift up your eyes. Stop fighting one another’, he added. Lamenting that it was sad for ministers of the Gospel to keep on fighting one another and engaging in petty jealousies, Bishop Mudzomba urged them to instead adopt an international thinking and they would not have time for infighting.  

Report by Innocent Mwangi

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