This document answers the following questions:
When could we come to build a church tabernacle?
How large should the team be?
Who can be a part of the team?
What are the costs for building a church?
What is the cost of the trip?
What will the team do?
What needs to be done before coming to Kenya?
What should we pack for the trip?
How do I know what shots to get?
What about bringing medical supplies, Bibles,
clothes, etc?
Where will we stay?
What about food and water?
Are there security concerns?
What if a member of the team wants to go
somewhere or do something else rather than with the team?
When could we come to build a church tabernacle? Generally
the dates for teams coming to build churches are February/March and
October/November. These dates are necessary to work with the East Africa School
of Theology (EAST) calendar. Jeff leads teams from America together with EAST
mission students. Confirmation of actual
dates can be obtained through an email to Jeff at jeff.nelson@agmd.org.
* Flights to and from USA generally take about 2
days (30-36 hours) travel. The dates above are the dates on the ground in
Kenya.
How large should the team be? An
ideal team is 6-10 individuals from a church. This team will be joined by 12 –
18 EAST students. Smaller or larger teams should discuss options with Jeff.
Who can be a part of the team? The
team members need to be approved by the pastor. Consideration should be given
to age, health, and maturity in Christ. The team will represent Christ to those
who may never have heard of Him. Those under 18 may be considered if they have
an adult responsible for them on the team. (This is at the discretion of the
pastor.) Men and women are both encouraged to participate. Construction will
take place, but many other opportunities are available in door-to-door
evangelism, children’s ministry, music and drama, etc.
What are the costs for building a church? The
minimum requirement is $7000 for the cost of the tabernacle. Churches that are
able are encouraged to provide $20,000. This includes $7000 for the tabernacle,
$5000 for the plot of land, $5000 for the training of the pastor and $3000 for
a sound system.
What is the cost of the trip? The
individuals should plan to raise $3000 each for the trip. This includes
airfare, in country food, lodging and transportation and activities. If airfare
costs are greatly reduced at times team members can reduce this cost to about
$2500.
What will the team do? The
goal of the mission is to plant/establish a strong church in a community. The
USA members will join with the EAST students and Jeff Nelson to form one team
to go into a village. The team will arrive on Saturday and set up. The main
ministry will take place from Sunday through Sunday. The team will minister
through door-to-door evangelism, crusade, and children’s crusade and revival
services. The EAST students are able to translate for the USA team. The team
will also build a steel tabernacle with the funds ($5000) they raised for that
purpose. Monday the team will leave the village and return to Nairobi. Tuesday
through Thursday the team will enjoy God’s creation at one of Africa’s finest
game parks. Friday the team will shop at a souvenir market and fly back to the
USA.
What needs to be done before coming to Kenya? A
number of details need to be taken care of before the trip actually occurs.
These include official approvals, fund raising, securing of passports, visas,
insurance and medical clearance (shots/immunizations), etc. The following
schedule will serve as a guide:
At least 1 year prior to the trip
· Request to go to Kenya with Jeff and
confirm dates for the trip
· Pastor designates “Team Leader” (if other
than the pastor) through which communication takes place
· Begin fund raising (for tabernacle and individual $3000 trip costs). Target 50% individuals’ funds raised before 6
months prior (to buy tickets). Target 100% tabernacle funds raised before 6
months prior (to buy tabernacle)
· Jeff begins process for official
invitation with Assemblies of God World Missions
· Explore ticket prices and book (be sure
to confirm dates with Jeff before booking)
6 months prior to the trip
· Apply for Passports
· Begin shots/immunizations
· Continue fund raising (75% before 3
months prior)
· Send funding for tabernacle ($7000) to
Jeff AGWM account so the building can be ordered
· Book and buy tickets
· Upon approval from AGWM (through Jeff)
contact AGWM office for team final approvals – medical insurance (or waiver),
etc.
3 months prior to the trip
· Passports and medical completed
· Apply for visas (or get visas at airport
in Kenya on arrival)
· Final 25% fund raising
1 week prior to the trip
· All funds in hand
· Correspond with Jeff concerning arrival
details
· Collect all documents (passport,
immunization record, phone contacts, etc)
· Pack
· Have the church commission the team in a
public service
How do I know what shots to get?
Then click Traveler’s Health.
Then Click Destinations.
Kenya
This page will give the vaccinations required and
recommended for Kenya.
What should we pack for the trip? Clothing
– generally it is very hot in the villages we minister in. Check with Jeff on
the particular location. Often the teams bring work clothing/shoes and even
dress clothing they want to leave with the pastor after the ministry. This
blesses the church we plant and also leaves more room for souvenirs. The ladies
will need to be in skirts or dresses whenever we are in the village. In Nairobi
and on the wildlife trip slacks are appropriate. (On the EAST campus the ladies
are also expected to be in skirts/dresses.) Sun burn can be a problem so hats,
sunscreen, and other appropriate clothing is important. Shower shoes are a good
thing to remember. Snacks and candy for yourself or to share are a good option
(but not necessary). Sheets, pillow, blanket may be needed – contact Jeff for
your team requirements. Tools for the construction will be provided by Jeff.
Bug/mosquito repellent is important (but do not pack in carry on luggage). Any
ministry props you have should be brought as well.
What about bringing medical supplies, Bibles,
clothes, etc? Please contact Jeff before making arrangements to
bring supplies into the country. Some times the government prohibits items (out
dated medical supplies), and other times we can buy the items cheaper in Kenya
than it costs you to bring them from the USA. Other times you may be charged
duty on items when you come through customs. If you have a desire to bring
anything like this for ministry, please contact Jeff first.
Where will we stay? During
the ministry we generally stay very close to the church plot we are building.
Often this is in a guest house. These range from a bed with private bathroom to
a concrete floor with a 2 inch foam mattress and a pit latrine (hole in the
floor) and bath with a pan of water. If your team has particular needs please
communicate these with Jeff early so he can adjust the church planting location
accordingly. While in Nairobi and on the game drive trip we will stay in nice
accommodations with clean rooms and hot showers (most of the time).
What about food and water? Jeff
will give an orientation when the team arrives in Nairobi. Generally speaking
don’t ever drink tap water in Kenya. Bottled, boiled or filtered water is ok.
Sodas or hot drinks are also fine. Cold drinks such as fruit juices or
“kool-aide” type drinks must be carefully considered. When in doubt, politely
decline. Hot foods are generally safe. Fresh fruits and vegetables must be
carefully considered. At fine restaurants these will have been properly
cleaned, but caution is in order. Culture encourages guests to try strange
foods at times. Jeff will give orientation on this as well.
Are there security concerns? Kenya
does have security concerns – particularly in Nairobi. Generally these will not
prohibit travel, but feel free to discuss these matters with Jeff for your
particular team and dates. Jeff will include this in the orientation
discussion. Doors must remain locked and windows closed in the city. Rooms
should remain locked. The villages are generally quite peaceful, but
precautions will be given as appropriate. Certain destinations require travel
in an armed convoy. This will be discussed with the pastor and team leader
before the trip if it is a possibility for a team.
What if a member of the team wants to go
somewhere or do something else rather than with the team? At
times team members have interests that are beyond the scope of the team. We
have found it best for the entire team to stay together during their time in
Kenya. It is recommended that if individuals choose to do additional travel
this is discussed with the pastor and Jeff prior to the trip. If agreed, these
additions could be done by the individual after the rest of the team leaves the
country.