My name is Sharon Waithera Thiong’o. I served as STEM in the Associates’ department, at Kiriri University and Utalii College Christian Unions.

Coming back for a second year in STEM was purely God’s intention. My expectations may have been limited to my former experience but clearly, God had a purpose for it. I now know with all my heart that God holds His children in His hand and leads them on, day after day. He also empowers them to do all that He calls them to do, providing grace and making them fruitful in every good work. I am convinced that God is at work in His world, daily raising men and women to fulfill His grand agenda of reaching and drawing back all nations to Himself, and to those who yield, there is no limitation to what He can do in and through them.

I am a better leader, communicator, trainer, and mentor because of STEM. These skills will be so needful in my ministry engagements and work in the marketplace in the coming days. I am indebted to God for the privilege to reach students with His Word, through preaching, discipleship programs, mentorship, and training. I was also involved in the planning and coordination of fresh graduates’ forums. These avenues stretched my creativity, excellence, and commitment. I rejoice in the Lord for the impact of those activities and programs on the lives of the students and fresh graduates and at the same time, rejoice for the growth and development of skills I have experienced in the process.

First of all, I am grateful for the faithful support I have received from the staff at FOCUS, and the constant challenge to grow, be and do better. Second, I appreciate my mentors and friends who kept me accountable and reminded me to be found faithful. Third, I thank the associates with who we closely worked together within our endeavor to reach students and be part of God’s story of transformation. In addition, I cannot thank God enough for students who so endearingly opened up their arms and doors for me in Kiriri and Utalii Christian Unions. Serving God among them brought me so much joy and fulfillment. In a special way, I thank my family for their kind words of encouragement, prayers, and love as I took this new path. My partners generously supported me and made this ministry possible. May God reward them richly.

Please thank God for me the transformative one year and eight months in STEM. I will never be the same again. I trust God for an open door to work and serve Him after STEM. May God grant me swift obedience to His leading. I desire that all the investment done on me through STEM, the skills and experience, would be a springboard to faithfully representing Him and bringing glory to His Name.
Shalom!

A journey of transformation it’s been! Looking back at the last eight months of my life, I’m amazed and excited that my involvement in student ministry has been fruitful and fulfilling. When I was joining STEM, I knew it was a great opportunity to grow but I didn’t have any idea what this would look like. I had many expectations and equally many fears but with a commission to step forth into the unknown trusting in the God I know, I matched into the vineyard trusting God fully from whom I had clearly received the call and it has since proved to be the greatest venture of my life.

I have had numerous opportunities to learn from students that I was serving, FOCUS associates, teammates, and my team leader. My attitude has been shaped, my perspective of life and ministry has been transformed, and important disciplines have been instilled. I have learned new skills, my gifts have been refined and my character polished. Over the months, God has continually proved that indeed His work will always have His provision. He has used many strangers to support me financially which has greatly strengthened my faith.

My interactions with students helped me see how desperately the youth people yearn for mentorship and guidance. Consequently, I was challenged to live my life as one setting a good example for all. I disciplined myself and ordered my life and I can never recover from that discipline. The fulfillment and joy that came with mentoring students helped me appreciate that pursuit of God’s purpose for my life and His mission can never be equated with earning a huge salary.

Getting to do assignments that I had never done before and achieving excellent results confirmed to me that indeed God equips those He calls and one only needs to obey and be ready to learn. I have learned the importance of thorough preparation, planning, and personal organization which has, in turn, made me a more competent worker. The high standard of accountability expected in ministry resources allocated to me has instilled in me a stewardship heart and challenged me to be more prudent in the management of my personal finances.

The STEM journey has been that of self-discovery and self-identification. The exposure has helped me discover gifts such as public speaking and writing that I never imagined I had. I’m a far better person than I was eight months ago because of the many skills I have learned through the period such as counseling skills, negotiation skills, public speaking skills, writing, training, mentorship, resource mobilization, personal organization, and administration among others. These will help me be a more competitive person in the job market and to be an excellent worker in everything. With the skills at hand, I have no doubt that I have been empowered to impact and change the world.

I acknowledge the great support my team leader accorded me. His close mentorship has empowered me to be who I am today. He has always guided me and given me helpful feedback that helped me to keep working hard to become better every day. His kind corrections and rebukes when I am wrong provided a very conducive environment to learn and grow. I appreciate him for being a role model and a supportive supervisor. I also pass my gratitude to my ministry partners who have generously supported me financially and in prayers and made my ministry possible, may the Almighty God reward them greatly.

I thank God for FOCUS and the opportunity I have been granted to serve in the students ministry.

Please pray for me that the Grace of God will continue abounding as I serve a second term as the STEM administrator.

May God bless FOCUS Kenya!

My name is Peter Musembi, I have served in Chuka University Christian Union and other CUs in Chuka. I continually thank God for providing the opportunity to be in STEM. The most exciting bit has been the interactions with students in different forums.

I have appreciated the numerous opportunities to teach students the gospel and engage them in doctrinal teachings. My resource development journey has taught me that God is in control and unlimited in means. Naturing relationships and book reading have become easier for me during STEM. I have grown my skills in training, mentorship, counseling, homiletics, Bible exposition, resource development, and teamwork. I appreciate the need for faithfulness and stewardship in ministry.

I got the opportunity to work on an article titled “A Biblical Perspective On Personalities.” I enjoyed the extensive research on the place of our differences and uniqueness in the body of Christ. It is clearer now how to see people through the lens of the Scriptures and to conform to the image of Christ regardless of our profiles.

During STEM, I have been mentoring while being mentored. Many people contributed directly and indirectly to my growth. My team leader gave me a lot of advice and guidance that I greatly appreciate. Regional staff mates have been a great family, we learned a lot from each other. Special regards to associates who opened their homes and lives to us for mentorship. I am grateful for my partners, who have supported me in prayer and in finances.
Soli Deo Gloria.

STEM has been a season of Celebrating God’s faithfulness in my life. It has caused an indelible impact on me. My perspectives on life have been sharpened. My experience has taught me to trust God fully in all circumstances. I am thankful God used me as a vessel to share the gospel with students.

STEM has taught me to be intentional, diligent, and excellent in all I do, as unto the Lord. I have been molded into more Christ-likeness by God’s grace. The growth in reading, journaling, effective planning, time management, financial management, investing in friendships, and appreciating diversity have been facilitated by STEM. I am more grounded because of the mentorship, accountability, and vulnerability. The pursuit of growth as a personal initiative is a great highlight.

I am grateful to God Almighty, for this precious gift of Stem in my life. My team leader, the FOCUS staff, and the MCCU and CCCU fraternity, have been very resourceful to my ministry. God gave me generous and supportive partners, family, and friends.

I am so grateful to God, for the opportunity to do the second year in STEM at Pan African Christian University. I pray for a teachable spirit, diligence, and faithfulness in service. I fix my eyes on Jesus as He unfolds what He has in store for my life.