The past two months were saturated with STEM events. The 2022-23 Cohort completed their term on the 29th of July 2023. Before then, we had a weeklong transition induction meeting for the outgoing STEM staff to prepare them for the next phase of their lives. We celebrated their faithful service during the STEM Convocation which saw over 800 participants join the event. This year’s Convocation was graced by the STEM Alumni who met that morning to celebrate God’s faithfulness through the STEM Program for the past 31 years. During the alumni breakfast meeting, we launched the STEM alumni engagement framework that will see the STEM alumni involved more in the ministry.
The current cohort of 2023-24 has completed their first month in ministry. Some of them are now engaged with the first years’ orientation after a two-week long Staff and Orientation Training (SOT) program that was geared towards preparing them for ministry as STEM Staff. Pray that their stay in FOCUS will be productive and that they will grow into leaders envisioned by the STEM program.
- Published in News
The First Year Student's Experience
Every student in universities and colleges has only one chance of being a first-year student. Most of the graduates can recall the first year of their campus or college life. The experiences of first years differ based on many factors such as their prior level of exposure, social economic status, and the level of support from the continuing students among other factors.
Nevertheless, all first-year students will exhibit a certain level of common characteristics. First, they are vulnerable. For some of them, it would be their first time to be separated from their parents while for others, it would be their first to experience unmatched freedom. Secondly, they experience a significant level of pressure because their loyalty is being sought after by many suitors. This pressure alone is enough to cause unnecessary anxiety and tension among them.
Harassed and Helpless
By all the standards, first years fit the category that Jesus described as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”. While many would like to exploit the harassment and the helplessness of the first years, the Christian community respond in a similar manner as that of Christ when he saw the crowds. He had compassion for them. He exclaimed, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:36-38.
Why you should be interested
Every believer in the campus community should be interested in the well-being of the first-year student. There is no better concern than giving the first-year student an opportunity to know Christ. Naturally, the first-year students are open to the gospel, they are eager to learn and experience new things and at the same time, they are crucial for the growth of Christianity in the institution and later on become the future transformation agents for church and society.
It is for these reasons that FOCUS Kenya runs Every Fresher for Jesus Campaign, at the beginning of every new academic year. The campaign seeks to mobilize all Christian students to share the gospel with all first-year students in their first 30 days on campus. Our primary goal for evangelism is to give every student an opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. More than hearing the gospel, we want them to believe, love and follow Jesus.
The campaign is anchored on God’s command to make disciples of all nations. It is inspired by Jesus’ compassion for the harassed and the helpless. We want them to know that Christ reigns at the University and the world over. We make use of the open window of their availability when they have a little or no academic load in their first few days on campus.
We all can do something
The campaign will require the participation of every believer. The Christian student on campus, the faculty, and Associates. First-years are many, and they need many more Christians to share the gospel with them. To reach all the first years with the gospel, we need at least all the students attending a CU Sunday service to share the gospel with 2 first years. We need all born-again students to share the gospel with at least two other students through a range of evangelism strategies that will be friendly to even those sharing the faith for the first time.
The Invitation
We invite the Christian professionals to join us in prayer for the next 3 months, trusting God for the salvation of first years. You can join the Christian Union close to you and ask the student leaders how you can support them. You can offer financial support to the CU to facilitate the necessary resources. Pray with us, ‘may Your will be done in Campus, as it is in Heaven’.
- Published in First Years
Is it just an empty bottle? | World Environment Day 2023
In comparison to other world days such as Mother’s Day, World Environment Day 2023 was low-key. It is not a surprise that the biggest international day for the environment led by the United Nations since 1973 went unnoticed, at least in Kenya. It points to the possibility that environmental concerns are yet to capture the
- Published in Integral Missions
Salvation
What is Salvation? Salvation refers to deliverance from eternal death which is the punishment for sin. We get saved when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who was crucified for our sins and who rose from dead (resurrected) so that we may have eternal life. All men are sinners Men
- Published in Uncategorized
Should we talk about chastity?
History shows that the ways of man are wicked and the heart continues to devise new ways of sinning. A survey of the old testament will show you the warped nature of man. Idolatry quickly replaced the worship of Yahweh shortly after a miraculous deliverance from Egypt. Sodom and Gomorrah is a clear demonstration of
- Published in Chastity Campaign
Joy Ndung’u
My name is Ndung’u Joy Wangui. I studied Political Science and Administration at Maasai Mara University. I served as a STEM Staff in Chuka and Embu University CUs. I am currently serving in the Associate’s department, KU Ruiru and Kiriri Women. My family comprises four members. My parents are pastors at Glory Covenant Church in
- Published in STEM 2020/2021
Isaac Miriti
My name is Isaac Miriti. I am a graduate of the University of Nairobi (UoN) with a BSc in Meteorology. I am serving as a STEM staff to UoN Parklands and as the STEM administrator. My family comprises four members. My dad is a county irrigation officer, my mum does farming and partly works as
- Published in STEM 2020/2021
Moses Kuria
My name is Moses Kuria Wahome. I studied at Karatina University for a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science. Although I was raised in a Christian family and attended fellowships, I grew up without a full realization of salvation. I attended Sunday school throughout my early age, and in Kiamutugu Boys High school Christian Union
- Published in STEM 2020/2021
Douglas Sabwa
My name is Douglas Sabwa Indumwa. I have been pursuing Computer Science at the University of Eldoret till the year 2020, having majored in web applications programming and online systems development. I have experienced many trying moments in my life, from family issues to social interactions and personal experiences. I have been able to get through all
- Published in STEM 2020/2021
Kennedy Kamau
My name is Kennedy Kamau Mwangi. I was born and brought up in Kajiado County, Ngong division, specifically in Upper Matasia. I am a fifth born in a family of 6. My family comprises my parents, three brothers, and two sisters. My Dad is a businessperson while my Mum is a farmer. I started school
- Published in STEM 2020/2021