The East African congregational theme for the year 2006 formed the theme for the Nairobi church’s Men’s Forum on March 5th, as 903 gathered for the event. “Jesus Is Lord!” was the banner around which the men rallied.

With visitors present from as far away as Kutus and Makindu, about 150 kilometres from Nairobi, and disciples present from as far as Kisii and Kitale, about 300 kilometres away, there was accapella music from the Golden Vocal Cords and from Frank Masinde on the guitar. George Irungu, Steve Mukenya and Julius Nguku spoke powerfully.

Speaking on the topic “The Man With His God,” and reading from Acts chapter 2, evangelist George Irungu said, “This is a new year and you may have made a resolution to change. So what shall you do?” Speaking of the repentance that Acts 2:38 calls us to practice in answer to the question, “What shall we do,” George went on, “We all want to be courageous. Courage is a quality universally associated with men. It takes no courage to be careless and reckless with your life, but it takes great courage to maintain self-control and a disciplined life.”

Steve Mukenya then used Proverbs 15:27 and 1 Timothy 5:8 to address the issue of “The Man With His Family.” “We are consumed with running after money,” Steve declared. “Men have abandoned their families in the pursuit of money, so that we have absentee husbands and absentee fathers.” He said that the well-being of the family depends on how the men lead, calling all to be present with their families to offer loyalty, love and leadership.

The last message of the afternoon was delivered by Julius Nguku, who works for HOPE worldwide Kenya, having studied for a Bachelors degree in Science and a Masters in Public Health. On the topic of “The Man And His Profession,” and sharing from the account about Zaccheus in Luke chapter 19, Julius challenged all with the questions, “Are you spending your life or investing it,” [The sycamore-fig tree that Zaccheus climbed being representative of a vantage point from which one may see Jesus,] “Which will be your sycamore-fig tree – the church, the bible, the person who invited you today?”

“Many of the most miserable people in the world are the richest,” Julius put before the gathering, adding, “I don’t know which gives more misery, abject poverty or extreme wealth.” He then shared how he turned down a lucrative job offer at one point because the terms of employment required working every Sunday without opportunity for him to be at services.

“Regardless of your profession,” Julius declared, “you need to make Jesus the Lord of your life.”

The fellowship afterwards was enthusiastic and energetic, in contrast to the darkening skies and the slight drizzle.

One visitor, Paul, said, “This is going to be my church from now on. I want to join.” A visitor from the town of Kutus shared, “We have long heard about the church in Nairobi and now it is great to be here. The event has been inspiring.”

Tobias from the town of Makindu said, “I am so glad that I came.”

Truly, Jesus is Lord. Let us pray for all disciples to grow in this conviction and for many of the men who visited at the Forum to become disciples and get baptized as they make Jesus the Lord of every aspect of their lives.