Kenya:Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Children’s Program

Hundreds of children participate in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. © CGS, 2016. Used with permission.

 

This is part of the Church to Church Program: Learn more about ABM’s Programs here.

 

Through ABM your support helps children across the East Africa region experience the love of the Good Shepherd.

This Christian education program assumes young children have religious potential and that they are capable of developing a conscious
and intimate relationship with God. Your support contributes to a National Formation Leaders Retreat and the development of Formation Leaders as well as planting atriums, where the program is held.

John and Kaye Corner, Advisors to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in East Africa, provided an update to ABM in 2017 which highlights the growth and success of this program:

“The East Africa Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is now in four nations; Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. And it is likely that soon the Holy Spirit will open doors in Tanzania, Burundi, the Congo and Zambia. There are now about 40 atrium centres in churches and schools, with many more expected as the wonderful reality of this program becomes more widely known.

“Eight of these centres are also regional training centres for teachers, and four colleges are now building the CGS program into the training of their teachers and ordinands. This includes the Anglican Church Army Evangelist training centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

“South Sudan has become a major Holy Spirit-motivated initiative for the East Africa Association. A Malek training centre has been started and currently 14 young Sudanese are beginning preparation to be trained as Formation Leaders. They are passionate about the work, and are very determined that many South Sudanese children are able to learn about the Good Shepherd in atriums. They also realise that the atrium experience provides healing by the Holy Spirit of the children’s inner hurts.

“A third training mission is scheduled to fly to Malek to start the development of Level 2. The trainers have to fly because the roads are too dangerous due to rebel killings that are happening all the time. Missionary Aviation Fellowship help with air travel but the cost is still substantial.

“We feel that the Holy Spirit is deeply honouring the CGS work in East Africa. In early 2017 we were at St Crispin’s in West Kenya where atriums have been operating for nine years. I felt very privileged to be able to lead the Holy Communion service.

“We were absolutely amazed at the large number of teenagers coming up for Communion! This is testament to the impact CGS has had on St Crispin’s where the number of children has gone from 200 to over 1,000, and the number of committed adults from less than 1,000 to over 3,500. To us, seeing this makes us feel that the Holy Spirit is honouring the atrium approach that has been taken to accommodate the more evangelical expression of liturgy.”

KE003YC needs $16,000 in 2018 (non tax-deductible)

 

HOW TO DONATE

You can make an online donation to this project.  

 

Alternatively, for donations by cheque/money order (made out to the Anglican Board of Mission – Australia), telephone or email, view contact details here. Please don’t forget to include the project name and/or code with your payment details.

Gifts to ABM will be applied to the support of project(s) selected. In the unlikely event of the project being oversubscribed or not proceeding to completion, donations will be applied to a similar project to the one(s) selected.

 

Project Update

April 2018 – Some good news received from GSC East Africa is that the Level 2 packable Atrium has been developed and trialled in Brisbane. Read more.

October 2017 – ABM staff had the pleasure of meeting the Ven Canon Kistos Khisa, Managing Director of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Children’s (Program in Kenya. Read more.

March 2017 – In October 2016, the Catechism of the Good Shepherd in St. Crispin’s celebrated the Bungoma Diocese centenary anniversary. It was a time of great joy, and was attended by many Bishops and clergy from Kenya, South Sudan and even the United Kingdom. Read more.

January 2017 – The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) recently held a training course in the Butare Diocese of Rwanda, and more people turned up than expected! Read more.

 

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