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.
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’.
I’m Susan Muiruri, an ICT diploma graduate of Nyandarua National Polytechnic and outgoing STEM Staff for the Nairobi CBD CUs. Coming to STEM was not among the things that I dreamt of after college but God in His master plan had this figured out for me.
Before coming to STEM I was not very consistent with my personal devotion but STEM has challenged me in a huge way. Even with a lot of demands for my attention, I have been able to gain consistency in my quiet time. Studying and reflecting on the word of God has drawn me closer to him and helped me grow in my hermeneutics; which in turn has impacted my sermons and teachings to students.
Serving students has increased my desire for more knowledge. Students often came to me expecting that I knew every answer to their questions. One of my highlights was hosting half of a CU in the STEM house for lunch. We bonded better with each other and I got more opportunities for one-on-one mentorships thereafter.
I entered with high expectations and enthusiasm to serve, especially after SOT. Reporting in the CUs was a primary focus for me. However, I was discouraged when I was once asked to leave during an executives’ meeting. My team leader and I prayed for strength and grace and attempted several other times to connect with the institution. Eventually, God blessed our efforts and allowed me a fruitful time in service there. The same team is quite devastated by the end of my STEM year.
Engaging in training, planning, and execution has polished my communication, public speaking, and training skills. Through STEM, I have identified my strengths and areas for improvement. I have also become a better team player. These skills and qualities will be invaluable as I enter the marketplace and contribute to society. Moreover, this journey has confirmed my conviction to serve God and I am now highly confident that ministry is where I belong.
I am extremely grateful to my family, friends, associates, partners and students who made my 11-month journey a success. I’m also indebted to the ministry of FOCUS because of the trajectory that my life has taken through the opportunity.
God bless FOCUS Kenya in its endeavor to reach students to change nations.
My name is Joshua Maina, a born-again Christian and the STEM staff of Garissa Christian Unions. I am a bachelor’s graduate in Communications and Public relations from Karatina University. My first tenure as a STEM was at Daystar and Machakos University. I then went on to pioneer the STEM staff residential ministry at Garissa.
Despite the uncertainty and the challenging environment in Garissa, especially relating to the security of believers, I embraced the unexpected call to join the ministry with the support of my mentors, friends, and family. This journey has transformed me into a radical disciple, shaping my character and faithfulness.
Throughout my STEM year, I have found solace in the Lord through daily scripture reading, gradually developing a deep hunger for God. I have realized how helpless I am without Him and learned contentment through unwavering hope and trust in God. I have had the greatest commitment to reading the Bible this year. Reading Christian literature has further shaped my spiritual life. As I continue to know God more, my desire to know Him intensifies.
Through my apprenticeship, I have gained invaluable skills, enhanced my critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. I’m delighted that I helped establish a working constitution for Garissa University. One-on-one Bible study sessions with Garissa’s students were incredibly motivating, as their desire to know the scriptures was evident. Mentoring students, especially those in relationships, in the STEM house was a rewarding experience.
STEM has provided me with a holistic learning experience and developed my leadership and organizational skills. I have also grown my graphic design and content development skills while creating prayer letters, postcards, and speaking engagements content. Furthermore, I have gotten much better at public speaking through preaching and training.
As a pioneer resident staff in Garissa, I faced numerous challenges and moments of loneliness. Initially, settling in and building relationships proved difficult. The unfamiliarity with my role in the CUs added to my struggles. Additionally, the hot environment and persistent mosquitoes made my experience even more challenging. However, God enabled me to gradually learn and adapt to my surroundings, ultimately finding my place in Garissa.
It’s clear to me that joining this program was not a coincidence; it was part of God’s plan to prepare me for greater responsibilities. I’ve been convinced of my calling to disciple and develop leaders through servant mentorship based on biblical principles. I want to use my knowledge and skills to impact both young and old, pouring out my knowledge and skills to empower others.
I am incredibly grateful for the transformative experience of serving God and the valuable lessons I have learned about Godliness and contentment. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my dedicated partners, supporters, beloved mum, and team leaders for their unwavering support. Special acknowledgment goes to Dr. Nelly Gitonga and Mr. Aaron Mukiiri, the Garissa University Patrons, whose guidance and encouragement have been invaluable. Their emphasis on prayer as the key to sustaining ministry in Garissa remains etched in my memory.
Ultimately, I have discovered that true ministry impact is not confined to the pulpit. Instead, it t is rooted in the ability to embody Christ’s love and become a friend to those we serve. God’s rewards are not based on success but on faithfulness. Blessings!