On Sunday the 27th of June 2004, the Eldoret Christian Church celebrated its 12th anniversary with a special service. Present at the occasion were all the brothers who have led the church since it was planted in January 1992 by six college students, the members of the Eldoret congregation, and disciples from towns as varied and distant as Kitale, Kakamega, Malaba and Ugunja. A number came in from Nairobi as well. Just as the theme for the event was "Dare To Dream," the presence of pockets of disciples from so many towns fuelled dreams and made real the vision of evangelizing the entire western Kenya region, some even expressing a desire to plant the church down at the coast. As Gerald Kagillos, the first person baptized in Eldoret, back in 1992, put it in his closing prayer "This is a day that we are declaring the salvation of the western region of Kenya and by extension the country and the entire world."

Even before the service commenced, reflections, expectations and anticipation were high. Past leader of the church, Gitau Ng'ang'a, said "the best times that I've ever had were in Eldoret." His wife, Mary, shared, "I feel really really excited. This is a dream come true to see how the church has grown." Alfred Bwanga said, "We look forward to much fruit [in the weeks and months] after the service." Kenn Ambundo said, "I see how far we have come, and I am looking forward to hearing from those who have led the church before. I see the service reminding and inspiring the disciples." William Odhiambo said, "I am so happy and that's why I decided that I must come in from Malaba for this."

Julius Nguku, another past leader of the Eldoret congregation, said, "This occasion is helping me to look back and be more grateful for the Eldoret church than I have been up to now." His wife, Margaret shared, "I feel so great. I have seen the church grow from one sister to so many. I've seen them take great challenges and become great disciples. There have been times when we didn't do our best, but truly it's amazing to see how God has been faithful. We have great goals for the church and want to see this church planting other churches."

There was a mood of excitement and celebration at Venus Hall, accentuated by the joy of seeing six women baptized between Women's Day three weeks earlier and the anniversary service. A poetic presentation from a children's group and dynamic, worshipful singing from the Eldoret church choir not only entertained but also inspired the audience. The congregational singing was powerful and passionate, and several brothers led prayers that set the spiritual tone for the day. Eldoret's 158 members, who have an average Sunday attendance of 250, saw 450 people show up for the special occasion.

The past leaders of the Eldoret church, who addressed the congregation, were, in the order of when they led, Rayola Osanya-Nyynéque, Julius Nguku, John Kilaha, Steve Mukenya and Gitau Ng'ang'a. Julius opened up the service by reading a history of the Eldoret church from its inception in January 1992.

Gitau Ng'ang'a led the congregation's thoughts through the Lord's Supper observance. He shared very personally and passionately about how his son had recently been through a period of intense, and, for a while ceaseless, pain as a result of severe burns and that through it Gitau learned how God had looked on at his Son suffering on the cross without intervening. As a result, Gitau shared, he came to the conviction that "I want to love God more and more, and I want to show it by my appreciation."

Rayola preached on "Keeping The Dream Alive," sharing from scripture and from the role that God and great friends have played in helping him fulfill different dreams including the planting of the Eldoret church back in 1992. He called on those present to develop dreams that are spiritual, radical and eternal.

John called on the church to persevere through life's challenges and, sharing from Hebrews 10:39, to not be of "those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved". He called the disciples to each have a great every-day prayer life. "The distance between you and your dreams," John declared, "is the distance between your knees and the ground."

Steve, preaching from the second chapter of the book of James, preached on "Faith Is What We Need." He called on all present to have a faith that is alive and complete and shows itself in deeds. "If we are a people who truly have faith that is alive, we will all go to eternity and we will be grateful that we fought for this, spending our time together winning the lost and taking care of our spouses and children."

Many talked of the special day as being a walk down memory lane. Indeed this memory lane is also the highway to heaven, because it is paved with faith, love and sacrifice.

Andrew Chemwolo, from Nairobi, said, "I always pass by the Eldoret church when going to my rural home and I consider this my home church. I'm excited about this and decided that I had to be here for the occasion." Monica Kinyanjui shared,"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, that's all I can say."

Peninah Wairimu Njehia, the first woman baptized in the church, in March 1992, said, "I am very encouraged. I feel like it's my birthday. It reminds me of what it was like studying the bible with Rayola and Janet." Patrick Okong'o, inspred by the anniversary service, said, "I see the Eldoret church being the regional centre for many congregations that will be planted in this part of Kenya."

Jeff Maloba, who leads the church with his wife, Peninah, closed out the day's speeches, and the fellowship afterwards, of disciples from at least six different towns, reflected one singular love, joy and vision.

Click here for images from the 12th anniversary service
Read about the planting of the Eldoret church 12 years ago