Biblical Life Ministries Business Planning

Kathy strategically designed my week with BLM so as to expose me to the Bible school, the local pastors, the Kenyan culture, and the Johnson’s in action. The end goal was to help best inform me about their ministry so that I could more effectively help Kelly and Kathy create a business plan that grows their ministry.

The hardest part – vision and mission statements – was successfully completed and the rest of the strategic framework was drafted with overnight assignments to Kelly and Kathy. I’m working on a proposal for one-year and five-year objectives that we’ll review and refine before I head back to Uganda. Armed with these and other previously assembled documents I’ll develop the complete business plan.

Have I said how much I enjoy working with the Johnsons? Wow, they make my work so easy!

Church Service in Malindi

We arrived via tuk tuk – a small golf cart-like contraption on three wheels operating a bit like a taxi service. Aside from riding in the luggage compartment of the Land Rover, this was close to the highlight of my adventures in Kenya. Both experiences were reminiscent of the days when it was legal to ride in the open bed of my dad’s pick-up truck.

Manzi, pastor of All Nations Revival Center and graduate of Bible School in a Briefcase, warmly welcomed us to his cozy office. As the 11:00 hour rolled around, we followed Manzi into the cinder block church and were seated in the front row, each in our own blue plastic chair. All eyes were on us as the simple church was packed and hot.

Worship in the African churches I’ve experienced – all two of them – is a beautiful thing. The sound of their language has a rhythm and flow that I don’t recognize in the English language. Perhaps this is because I don’t understand the words and have only rhythm and flow on which to focus. Whatever the case, I thoroughly enjoy meeting with the Spirit and worshipping in these African churches.

Kathy preached about the life of Peter before and after the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as Manzi translated her English into Swahili. Kathy pointed out that after Pentecost, Peter was bold in his faith and she called the church to have that same boldness. The Holy Spirit joined us in a very tangible way during the call to prayer. We laid hands on several people who knelt at the altar and prayed for a fresh indwelling of the Spirit and for a renewal of faith and boldness. I prayed that same prayer for myself – a direction-giving, life-altering renewal of faith and boldness.

The Tide is Out

An evening walk on the beach following graduation and all the related activities allowed me to take what I think are some beautiful pictures. The tide was out, although some of these boats definitely did not appear seaworthy. Kathy, Becky, and I are showing a little attitude in the last picture. Well, I might be the only one with attitude but we all tried.

Kelly was trying to tell us something historical about the monument in this background, something about Pico De Gallo or maybe it was that in 1492 Vasco Da Gama errected this monument crowned by a Christian cross. Either way, since that time no Bible school has ever been held in Malindi...until now. Yea God!

Bible School Graduation Ceremony

The last week of school is winding down and the widely anticipated graduation ceremony was held today (Saturday, October 2). Pastors and their families came from short and long distances to participate. Everyone, including the children, was dressed in their Sunday best. One pastor located some black caps and gowns with blue hoods for the graduates to borrow – a true luxury.

They gathered at a church to robe up and have photos taken – another luxury. By 9:00 a.m. the sun was just plain hot and all the shady spots were jammed with robed graduates. These eager people marched one kilometer through the streets of Malindi with friends and family surrounding them. The sounds of horns and cheering could be heard from a distance. This graduation is a big deal here. They even had to get a permit from the police to hold the “parade.”

The town hall was packed with well-wishers. Fans whirred from every corner. Over 450 people were in attendance for the 26 graduating pastors. Kelly and Kathy went to great lengths to attend to the details that will make this occasion special for each individual pastor. The ceremony was an almost exact replica of one from America: Introductions, singing, a guest speaker, the conferring of the diplomas, and moving the tassel. There was one exception that really made this occassion very moving.

After the diplomas were conferred, friends and family began coming to the graduates who were seated in the front two rows. They brought gifts, signs, flowers, and some small money to put into the hands of these most beloved family members. This gifting went on for some time until hugs, photos, and dancing took over every area on the main floor. This is the time when I could really feel the presence of the Holy Spirit along with a little self-centered sadness. I quickly joined in the dancing to the welcoming of Pastor Njuguna and some of his congregation.

Wow, what a momentous occasion and I got to participate!

Pastor Interviews

All of the pastors in the Bible School warmly welcomed me. Their handshakes and smiles were so sweet and genuine. Their hearts were open and they almost glowed with excitement.

I had the opportunity to talk to several graduating pastors after classes finished, while we enjoyed the goat. Without exception each pastor said with great conviction that their lives and their churches had already been changed as a result of the Bible School in a Briefcase program. They commented that the teachings were so practical and that they could see change in their church members already. These comments were not just the polite comments made by appreciative pastors, but they were eager, enthusiastic, and absolute proclamations.

One common refrain was the invitation to remain in Malindi, Kenya so as to continue providing more Bible Schools and more training. Fortunately, the team will return in October to do a women’s conference and to have the pastor’s do a study on the book of Daniel. Kelly definitely has a special something that draws these pastors to him and engenders loyalty and commitment to the program and to changing lives for Christ.

I’m even sad not to be back with these kind pastors to participate in developing deeper relationships with them and their churches. I am not surprised that I continue to find the people in Africa so charming and lovely.

Kill the Goat

An apparent tradition in the school is to kill a goat and share that meal on the last day of school. I’ve been seeing goats alongside the road in Uganda and I’ve even enjoyed a few meals of goat meat and stew…but knowing exactly which goat I am eating…well…that’s another story all together. This goat appeared on my plate as a delicious and tender stew. Yum!

It Should Have Been Me

As the Bible school came to a close, the final teaching was about the Passion of Christ. Kelly told the familiar story in a way that so touched me on this particular day. I admit that the brutal story often brings tears to my eyes, but when Kelly reminded me that it should have been me on that cross tears ran down my face. I should be the one to pay for my own sins. I should be the one to suffer and die.

Would you be willing to send your child to death to save someone else’s child? To be honest, I’m not sure I would…as a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t. What parent doesn’t believe that their kids are the end all? That they would do ANYTHING to protect their children? I’m sure God felt this way about his Son too…yet he still sent him to die for me. I cannot even fathom such a gift. Not even close. It should have been me!

Praise God for such a sacrifice that has more meaning to me today than ever before. Because of that enormous gift, I will get to see Rick again. I have the hope of seeing everyone I love again. I will see Jesus, the great comforter. How can I ever thank him?

Training Pastors

Kelly takes his responsibility for training pastors very seriously, but he does this training with such humor. The pastors all seem to respond to him in a positive way, which is surely one of the many reasons this program has been so successful. Finding teachers who exude this same passion, humor, knowledge, and love – not to mention a willingness to live and teach in Africa – can be challenging. To expand the ministry, more teachers with these and many other skills are needed.

Are you qualified and are you willing?

Bible School in a Briefcase

Written and taught by Kelly Johnson of Biblical Life Ministries, Bible School in a Briefcase is one of many ministry endeavors the organization facilitates. This Christ for the Nations certified curriculum is literally taken in a briefcase to pastors in outlying areas of Kenya. Like Uganda, pastors of more remote areas are often assigned that role because of some gifting and passion…not because of a formal education or theological expertise or because of any formally consigned designation. To ensure these pastors are better equipped to deliver the Gospel to their followers, Bible School in a Briefcase was developed.

Just think about this…some of the most remote people groups are on the continent of Africa. Training pastors from outlying villages increases the likelihood that they will in turn reach the unreached. How cool is that!

The groundwork to be laid in preparation for such a school is enormous, but the lifelong relationships developed as a result make all the work worthwhile. The curriculum is designed to be taught for one intense week each month for 10 months. Dozens of pastors come to worship, to receive teaching, and to fellowship with pastors among a number of tribes. Keep in mind that these tribes have not always been friendly toward one another. However, the teaching method Kelly uses helps unite these people and thus has the potential to change entire relationships between formerly hostile tribes. Again…how cool is that!

My role this week is to observe (and very likely ask lots of questions) the school and ministry in action. The result will be finalizing a strategic framework to help this ministry grow and thrive.

Malindi, Kenya

The next morning Kathy and I flew to Malindi where Jeremiah, another faithful driver, was waiting to take us to where the Bible school was being held. A big thanks to all the wonderful local people who drive missionaires all over town and then help be sure they're safe while they're visiting.


Malindi is a coastal town to the Indian Ocean. The population is just over 120,000 and its main industry is tourism, particularly among Italians. The African children here often greet us with a "Chow." A drive through town left me feeling a bit like we passed through an African Saugatuk. Perhaps I'll have an opporutnity to walk through later this week.

After Bible school and before dinner, Kathy and I strolled out to the ocean. We passed by three men who professed their deep love for Kathy and me. The tide was out so we kicked off our shoes and dipped our toes in this warm water. Large boats were docked off a far-away pier, bobbing in the waves. We came across a dead puffer fish…all puffed up. Something about having my photo taken with a dead puffer fish seems a little off.

The stroll was relaxing, the scenery was more than beautiful, and I so appreciated the direction the conversation took. Kathy is such a wonderful woman. I am so blessed to have gotten to know her these past few months.

Nairobi, Kenya

I arrived in Kenya without a hitch. Kimani was faithfully waiting, “Leslie Mosher” sign in hand, to take me to Rosslyn Academy where Kathy was giving music lessons. How sweet it was to see this lovely woman again.

Nairobi is the most populace city in East Africa, with more 3 million people. Based on my observations at one shopping center (and thus an extreme generalization), Nairobi seems to be one of the most diverse cities as well. Because of the presence of a number of large government agencies, Nairobi is also a financially well-to-do area, although the slums are prevalent too. I hope to learn more about these dark places when I return from Malindi.

Many missionaries use Nairobi as a hub to reach some of the more outlying African towns, as do the leaders of Biblical Life Ministries. After school I settled in to my room at the Johnson’s house and enjoyed some time with Kathy and her girls. I just love this family and I have learned so much from them about what being a full time missionary is like.

Kenya: Biblical Life Ministries

Surprise! I was supposed to leave for Kenya Wednesday morning not Thursday morning (I made it in plenty of time). Thank goodness I’m an early riser…and so is Kathy who reminded me to leave. Showered and packed in 30 minutes and on my way in plenty of time. The guard at the door said, “Fly 540? It’s too early but you can go in.” The man at the counter said, “The counter isn’t open yet, but I’ll check you in.” The gate agent said, “You can’t come in yet, it’s too early.” Apparently he didn’t get the memo. Ha. So, here I am waiting. Sorry Lauren, for waking you in a panic and not giving you a hug before I left. Sorry Gabriel, for jolting you out of bed a day early. Sorry Henry, for not getting to George before I left. Sorry Annie for changing our plans for today.

I’ll spend this week with Biblical Life Ministries, the group I told you about when I went to Dallas. I’ll get to see a bit of Nairobi and then we fly to Malindi on the coast of the Indian Ocean to participate in the graduation ceremony for pastors having successfully come through the Bible School in a Briefcase program. Yea!