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JU N E 2010
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CHANGE THE CITY WIN THE A F R I C A’ S P R E M I E R O N L I N E M AG A Z I N E F O R P O S I T I V E E N T E R TA I N M E N T
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NERVE CENTER
FROM THE RING LEADER Management • Articles Ring Leader a.k.a Okwi Okoh Rubix a.k.a Jeri Furahah Admin • Logistics • Accounting • Marketing Iron Lady a.k.a Elsie Mwongeli Smooth Operator a.k.a Wycliffe Augustine Pied Piper a.k.a Gillian Ndeti Photography Sharp Shooter a.k.a Mwangi Kirubi Marksman a.k.a Wagema Munyori Web Management Spider a.k.a Wanja Ngunjiri Art Direction • Design & Layout Design Jockey a.k.a Vikki Keingati Arti San a.k.a Mark Muchura
SPECIAL THANKS Our Heavenly Father Pastor Henry Wamai Pastor Nelly Mando Richard (Astar) Njau Mavuno Staff Team Mavuno Technical Team Amani Maranga a.k.a Rockafella All our friends and family
on the cover Senior Pastor Muriithi Wanjau, Mavuno Church leads his pastoral team in doing 100 push-ups during the Fearless 2010 Leadership Summit held at the Dome. Snapped by SHARP SHOOTER More photos on www.kwelimag.com.
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THERE ARE no words, in any language, to describe the experience that was Fearless 2010. I know that journalists are supposed to be all cynical, detached and stingy with adjectives. The thing is, I’m not a journalist. I’m a “Fearless Influencer” who can type! So I have no qualms about saying that I had an amazing time. My vision was cleared, my purpose was confirmed, I got a colossal hug from God and I got to hang out with hundreds of other people who also have the privilege of serving God in diverse capacities. Mavuno Church, with Senior Pastor Muriithi Wanjau and his near 60-member pastoral team at the wheel, wants to “Change the City (Nairobi and other African capitals) to Take the Continent (Africa) and Win the World (everyone else)”. It’s pretty obvious why they’re taking such a bold step and setting out to spearhead a spiritual, social and economic revolution. After all, how long will we complain about roads and other infrastructure? Corruption? Unemployment? Everyone agrees that more people need to stand up and do something about the whole mess. But it will require a level of personal sacrifice that makes many of us queasy. It’s going to cost billions of shillings. It’s going to take countless hours that would
otherwise have been spent sipping a cold drink, with a small umbrella in it, on a picture-perfect beach somewhere. There will be long nights and short days. There will be harsh criticism and other speed bumps. My brain is reeling off all the usual warnings in the form of questions that any reasonable and rational person would ask: isn’t this too big and therefore totally unrealistic? Are these guys nuts? Why Mavuno? Are we being hypnotized or brainwashed? What’s for dinner tonight? But my heart was beating really fast as Pastor Muriithi Wanjau, Pastor Simon Mbevi and Pastor Linda Ochola-Adolwa spoke about the vision, why we need to do it and how we can do it. Despite the challenges I can foresee, I’m really excited, and the thought of not being part of “the God-led African Revolution” is unbearable. I can already read the words of the story that will be told by KWELI and other media networks at that time, about this small group of Africans who turned the world upside down; armed with nothing but a love for God and a desire to see His purposes fulfilled on earth – as they are in Heaven. God Bless The Ring Leader
www.kwelimag.com KWELI is published and distributed by Under the Baobab Productions Limited. © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. If you copy us or any of our ideas we’ll come for you.
got WHAT WE’VE
6 WHAT IS THE FEARLESS
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
8 OPENING CEREMONY
14 BOOTCAMP
18 2010 MAVUNO FEARLESS AWARDS
12 MESSAGES
A pictorial of the thrills and spills at the 2010 Fearless Leadership Summit.
Mavuno’s leaders are awarded for exemplary service.
Various leaders tell us why, who and how Mavuno’s vision can become a reality.
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24 CLOSING CEREMONY
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WHAT IS THE
FEARLESS LEA DERSH IP SUMMIT RING LEADER WROTE IT, SHARP SHOOTER & MARKSMAN SNAPPED ‘EM PUT TOGETHER BY DESIGN JOCKEY
THE Fearless 2010 Leadership Summit is held in the first week of June every year. It’s the time when the leaders of Mavuno Church are “challenged, engaged, inspired and equipped” for their various ministries. This year’s summit, the second edition, was held from Thursday, June 3 to Saturday, June 5. The theme was “Changing a City, Taking a Continent, Winning a
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World”. It represents Senior Pastor Muriithi Wanjau’s conviction that “...the Lord of the harvest is patiently waiting for His sons and daughters to ask Him for the nations. And as we come together, we have the unique opportunity to up our leadership game, so that we can win over the nations of the world in our lifetime for God’s glory. In the process, each of us will fulfill the exciting purpose that God created us for,” he said in his welcome message. For the first time, delegates included people from four different Mavuno congregations: Central (Bellevue, South C), Downtown (Ufungamano House), Mashariki (Eastlands) and >
Our STRATEGY is to raise an army of change agents who would FEARLESSLY and unashamedly change our city, take our continent and eventually, win our world. www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 4 | JUN 10 7
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LEFT: Riveting dance routine for opening ceremony performed by ‘Saints’. BELOW: Various flags were paraded through the dome.
DAY ONE
OPENING CEREMONY
Kampala – Mavuno’s first international campus. There was a heavy military theme running throughout the event - sand bags, barbed wire, canons, sadistic drill-sergeants, combat gear, bunk beds and even a camouflaged 4X4 were used in the décor. “Our strategy is to raise an army of change agents who would fearlessly and unashamedly change our city, take our continent and eventually, win our world,” Pastor Muriithi explains.
The conference also featured presentations by Anthony Wahome, CEO of Linksoft and Dr. Julius Kipng’etich, who runs the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The last time Mavuno’s leaders met like this, its congregation was less than half what it is now. A year later, there are close to 3000 members in Mavuno Central alone. The church is now in two countries and four different locations. Who knows what God has in store for Mavuno over the next 12 months? www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 4 | JUN 10 9
RIGHT: Senior Pastor Muriithi Wanjau and his wife Pastor Carol enjoyed the performance.
LEFT: George Kagwe led the worship along with Kanjii Mbugua of Kijiji Records. Kijiji Records produced the dazzling opening and closing ceremonies.
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K
The last time Mavuno’s leaders met like this, its congregation was less than half WHAT IT IS NOW.
Kanjii Mbugua of Kijiji Records.
Click here
to view more photos!
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DAY TWO
MESSAGES
TOP: Senior Pastor Muriithi Wanjau (Pastor M) ABOVE L to R: Doris Mayoli, Tony’s graphics display took Mavuno’s Technical Team to the next level, the men of Mavuno’s Worship Team.
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CLOCKWISE: Pastor Simon Mbevi, Pastor Anthony Mwaniki, Pastor Henry Wamai, Pastor Linda Ochola-Adolwa, Director of KWS – Dr. Julius Kipng’etich, Nanjira Sambuli, Ciiru Karanja.
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There was a heavy military THEME running throughout the event - sand bags, barbed wire, canons, sadistic drill-sergeants, combat gear, bunk beds and even a camouflaged 4X4 - were used in the dĂŠcor. 14 kaKWELI | ISSUE 4 | JUN 10
Steve Katingima took his role as drill sergeant very, very seriously and terrified many in the process.
www.kwelimag.com 15
Click here
to view more photos!
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In between presentations there were several activities to help people mingle and illustrate the speakers’ points. ABOVE: Delegates from Mavuno Kampala. www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 3 | MAY 10 17
2010 MAVUNO
FEARLESS AWARDS The 2010 Mavuno Fearless Awards were held on June 4, 2010 at the ‘Mavuno Dome’ at Bellevue Drive-in Cinema in Nairobi. The Awards, which are held at the annual Fearless Summit for leaders of Mavuno Church, are “a celebration of individuals who have given of their time, resource, life – and all to see the ‘Mavuno Mission’ spread for Christ.” This event was hosted by Mwendie Mbugua and Richard (Astar) Njau. KWELI congratulates all the nominees who give us all cause for celebration with their daily activities and sacrifice. The following are the winners in the various categories.
TEAM LEADER OF THE YEAR
KAIRO KIARIE Nominees: ROSE ODENGO KATHY BUTAKI TINA NDUBA HENRY MALMQVIST
The Team Leader Award went to Kairo Kiarie of Mavuno Central (Bellevue) for his amazing ability to oversee 34 ‘Lifegroups’ (Mavuno’s small group fellowships) which means he’s looking out for about 400 people.
ROSE ODENGO was nominated for spearheading the Creative and Production Teams of the Sunday services at Mavuno Downtown (MDT). Not only has she gotten more people involved in the teams, but also helped streamline MDT’s system for evaluating the services.
KATHY BUTAKI was nominated for leading a team of 90 ushers as head usher at Mavuno Central (Bellevue) and working tirelessly to ensure that everything is in working order.
TINA NDUBA was nominated for her dedication in building and steering a ministry team, Sling and Stone (Mavuno’s drama team). The team is growing, passionate and very focused on their mission.
HENRY MALMQVIST was nominated for his passion as a Mizizi coach at Mavuno Central. About half of the Mizizi facilitators have been under Henry’s guidance. Kairo (left) receives the award from Pastor Chogo
| ISSUE 4 | JUN 10 18 kaKWELI (Mavuno Mashariki).
SERVANT LEADER
OF THE YEAR GEORGE SEDA Nominees: ALLAN HICKS MWANGI KIRUBI KIARIE MWENDA TONY MULI LYDIA KARANJA MIKE WEKESA DENNIS LUGANO
The Servant Leadership Award was given to George Seda of Mavuno Downtown (Ufungamano House). He’s celebrated for his selfless service in prayer teams, setting up the church and other activities. KWELI’s Mwangi Kirubi | Sharp Shooter was nominated for this award!
ALLAN HICKS was nominated for his dedication as a Lifegroup Zonal Leader. He is currently carrying out civic education in his zone and also leading a men’s group in mentorship, prayer and accountability. MWANGI KIRUBI was nominated for “making his lens a ministry”. He spares no personal expense to make sure that as many Kingdom events are photographed with amazing creativity and quality. KIARIE MWENDA was nominated for raising the bar when it comes to service and character on the Mizizi team. He’s also been known to open up his home for visitors and even mop toilets and make beds at retreat venues when needed. TONY MULI was nominated for his dedication as Life Group Zonal Leader. He is currently carrying out civic education in his zone and also leading a men’s group in mentorship, prayer and accountability. LYDIA KARANJA from Mavuno Kampala was nominated for her key role in bringing Mavuno Kampala to life. Despite the pressures that come with her career, she’s always able and willing. MIKE WEKESA was nominated for his commitment to pray for others. He takes time to read the mavunochurch.org blog and pray for those with pressing needs. DENNIS LUGANO From draping chairs and tents, to sorting out programs for almost all of Mavuno Central’s ministries, Dennis also volunteers at Greenhouse (Mavuno’s Children’s Church).
George Seda gives his acceptance speech.
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2010 MAVUNO
FEARLESS AWARDS
MENTOR
OF THE YEAR MILTON JUMBA Nominees: MAXXIE GITAU KANJII MBUGUA SAM & WAHU KIBAARA EDWIN ONUDI
The Mentoring Award was presented to Milton Jumba of Mavuno Mashiriki (Eastlands). His incredibly long CV – mentorship, leadership, pastoral care, prayer, service – make him one of the most influential people in Mashiriki and a natural for this award.
MAXXIE GITAU was nominated for mentoring young guys many of whom have become leaders in their campuses and churches. He was involved in last year’s Jars of Clay concert, an initiative that sought to encourage young people to get tested and know their HIV status.
KANJII MBUGUA was nominated for mentoring Christian artists, raising a number of worship leaders at Mavuno Central and for his outof-the-box approach to making ministry exciting.
SAM & WAHU KIBAARA were nominated for serving in various capacities since the inception of Mavuno Mashariki. They currently head Mashariki’s Couples Ministry and have mentored numerous young people.
EDWIN ONUDI was nominated for spreading Mashariki’s message and vision in the Eastlands area by mentoring young needy guys, often in his own home. Milton (left) receives the award from Pastor BX (MDT), as hosts Mwendie (far left) and Richard (Astar) look on.
RISK TAKER OF THE YEAR OKWI OKOH Nominees: FAITH MUTURI EMILY MUTUA VIVIAN OGUTU EDWARD NYAMU
The Risk Taker Award was given to (drum rolls please) KWELI Magazine!! Okwi Okoh | Ring Leader and Vikki Keingati | Design Jockey accepted the award for the members of KWELI Nerve Center. This one is given to individuals that show willingness to subject their personal ambitions, lifestyle and comforts for the sake of God’s purpose.
FAITH MUTURI, a student, was nominated for starting 3 Mizizi (a 10-week transformational course where participants seek to find God and purpose) groups in USIU, hence positively impacting a very secular college.
EMILY MUTUA was nominated for fearlessly starting Corporate Mizizi, which has brought about 140 people in the corporate world to God and church.
VIVIAN OGUTU was nominated for sacrificing her time and resources by single-handedly facilitating Mizizi every weekend in Kampala. Her class is now the most vibrant Lifegroup in Kampala.
EDWARD NYAMU was nominated for not only serving at the Greenhouse as a guitarist, but also for completing Hatua (a 10-week course that teaches Bible principles and how to use them to impact society) and taking it to Eldoret despite political tension in the area. Vikki and Okwi receive the award from Pastor Thomas Omolo (Mavuno Mashariki).
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2010 MAVUNO
FEARLESS AWARDS
SOCIETAL IMPACT OF THE YEAR
KIJIJI RECORDS Nominees: MWAFRIKA.COM & PEWAHEWA.COM MAONO REFUGE ZANA AFRICA ALABASTRON
The Society Impact Award was given to Kijiji Records and accepted by Kanjii Mbugua, the company’s CEO. This award is reserved for those who change culture by fearlessly following their God-given purpose. The dominance of gospel music on the airwaves is testament to Kijiji’s impact on Kenyan society.
MWAFRIKA.COM & PEWAHEWA.COM was nominated their innovative websites covers artists profiles and promotes local gospel music. David Kuria, is the first person in the world to create a site that allows you to buy music online using your phone thereby creating a solution for piracy. MAONO was nominated for bringing micro finance to impoverished areas. The initiative, which was started by Daisy Waimiri, seeks not only to fund, but also to train various money management principals to its 700 members. REFUGE (Restoring Forests for Future Generations) was nominated for environmental conservation. This initiative, started by Mukuria Mwangi, focuses on the reforestation of the Mau Forest, where it seeks to plant 10 million tree seedlings. Refuge held a successful concert that brought industry stakeholders and artists together for this cause. ZANA AFRICA (ZANAA) was nominated for keeping girls in school by providing affordable sanitary protection. This initiative, started by Megan White, has found a way of making these products environmentally-friendly as well as providing income for women. ALABASTRON was nominated for taking many women in this church and city through an amazing 3-month course that seeks to heal the emotional issues that women tend to carry. The brain child of Bidali Laimani has changed the lives of many.
Kanjii (left) gives his acceptance speech, as the team from Kijiji Records looks on.
TEAM
OF THE YEAR KAMPALA TEAM Nominees: MDT PRAYER TEAM JAM - JESUS & ME SLING & STONE GREENHOUSE MIZIZI TECHNICAL TEAM
The Team of the Year Award was won by the Kampala Team led by Pastor Kevin Nderitu for their tireless efforts in seeing that the dream of starting a Mavuno Church in Uganda’s capital become a reality in just a year.
MDT PRAYER TEAM was nominated for their powerful weekly prayer and fasting for the sake of their church and community. Their prayers saw MDT through their move, financial struggles and leadership changes. JAM - JESUS & ME was nominated for their ministry to students in Eastlands which has resulted in attainment of scholarships for high school students as well as seeing creatives nurture their talents. SLING & STONE was nominated for their ingenuity and creativity in packaging the gospel into self-written, directed and produced musicals that are quickly becoming the city’s top annual musicals. GREENHOUSE (Mavuno’s Children’s Church) was nominated for: growing from 400 to 750 children, starting a 150-children’s service in Mitumba Slums and releasing a song on DVD with them – 25 of these children have since been baptized, reaching out to men in the area, and has starting a school program where they reach out to 1500 children weekly. MIZIZI was nominated for their team spirit and impact they are creating in the society. Mizizi has become a tool to evangelize, spread God’s word, and bring people to Mavuno. they have been successful in delivering at least 90% of all Mizizites into Lifegroups. TECHNICAL TEAM was nominated for their diligence as they work throughout the week to ensure that the services at Mavuno Central run flawlessly - from the lights to sound to video... They provide copies of the services on CD and upload the sermons online.
L to R: Pastor Kyama Mugambi, Isaac Luchi and Pastor Kevin Nderitu (both of Mavuno Kampala).
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BELOW: Kanjii Mbugua and Atemi sing about ‘The Power of One’. The Mavuno Staff Team was presented with a cross-stitched version of the ‘Fearless Creed’ by the ‘Berean Centurions’ Lifegroup.
DAY THREE
CLOSING CEREMONY
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CEO of Linksoft, Anthony Wahome, urged delegates to seek God’s Kingdom and not personal wealth.
BELOW: Supersport host Carol Radul conducting an interview. Check out www.supersport.com
Click here
to watch reactions from delegates and Pastor M!
TOP LEFT and RIGHT: Both pastors and leaders were prayed for as Mavuno prepares to change the city. www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 4 | JUN 10 25
MAVUNO’S FRONTLINE
INITIATIVES BAWA LA TUMAINI KIJIJI RECORDS KWELI MEDIA NETWORK LULU MAONO REFUGE TRANSFORM KENYA ZANA AFRICA
www.mavunochurch.org