The campus revival continues among the International Churches of Christ. Four years ago 300 campus students gathered in San Antonio for the International Campus Ministry Conference. Last year 1500 students met on the LSU campus in Louisiana. This year campus conferences are being held in 20 cities in 18 countries around the world. The first 2009 ICOC campus conference was held in Kenya.

As the world woke up at the beginning of the year to the reality of history being written as Barack Obama was days away from being sworn in as the first African-American president of the United States of America, the students ministry in the land of his father’s birth were writing history of their own by holding the first ever conference that brought together campus disciples from across the East African family of saints.

The theme of the conference was “Arise!” It is certainly time for the East African student saints to rise up and take their faith and life to a new level. The grand event saw the coming together of over a hundred students from campuses in Kigali (Rwanda); Bujumbura (Burundi); Kampala (Uganda); Eldoret, Kisumu and Nairobi (Kenya). They converged in Nairobi for the exciting, electrifying event.

There are not many words which can suffice to describe the three days but a few that may remotely help the imagination and comprehension of those who were not present are: exciting, electrifying, inspiring, challenging, exhilarating, ebullient, ecstatic.

The classes were deep and insightful. Among the speakers who rallied the audience, Jarett Odwallo, an architect by profession who himself was a disciple on campus and has previously led the Nairobi campus ministry, preached on “Arise To Godly Dreams”, encouraging the students to brace themselves, get out of the forest of mediocrity and begin to envisage great dreams—dreams to see the church grow and go beyond the cities and into the villages where traditions and customs abound.

Evangelist John Maleya encouraged the students to overcome fear and rise to positions of leadership in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom needs great leaders to help counter the onslaughts of the devil on God’s children at such a time as this.

In the afternoons there was a variety of gateways for fellowship and fun, sightseeing and soul-bonding. Some people visited the historic national museums of Kenya, others decided to explore The Green City In The Sun (as Nairobi is known) and enjoy its traffic and architectural designs, and still others went to Statehouse grounds for some sports.

In the evening we had dance shows and an all-action basketball game, a test of might between Kenya and Uganda, where Uganda was narrowly edged out by Kenya.

Conference participants shared their dreams and visions for themselves and for East Africa.

Charity Asatsi, soon to join Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology shared, “We have a fear of rising up to be leaders because of the various expectations placed on a leader, but I learnt to allow God to use me as a vessel to communicate his message to the world.” Loise Gathoni enthused, “The conference helped me to see an aspect of my character that has been holding me back from being my best for God.”

Stephen Omondi shared, “The conference was great and powerful. I learnt that like Esther from the book of Esther, I am in a privileged position and God has placed me here purposefully to deliver his people and glorify his name.”

Benson Nakholi said, “I have resolved to replicate himself as a disciple by reaching out to the other youth on campus.” Gideon from Chepkoilel campus was moved to be bold and overcome laziness, and soon after the conference invited his entire class to bible talk.

Josephine of Masinde Muliro University in Kakamega said, “I was challenged to have a willing heart to serve others and arise in excellence irrespective of the circumstances around me just like Joseph did in Genesis. I am licking my lips for more conferences just like this one.” Edwin from Moi University in Eldoret shares, “I have been challenged to develop spiritual dreams for the campus ministry in Eldoret.”

Rachael Kilonzo of Makere University: “The conference was wow! It was the bomb!”

Albert Simiyu, who leads the youth ministry of Nairobi’s East Ministries, reflects, “The conference helped our campus disciples.” They came, they saw and are cranking. “They made many new friends and now believe more deeply than before that world evangelism is a reality.”

Since the conference, the Nairobi campus ministry, which had 41 baptisms last year, has been blessed with 9 baptisms and 1 restorations, and the Kampala campus disciples have had 3 added to their number.

The 2009 East Africa Campus Conference marks the beginning of what promises to be a historic year full of memories as the East Africa campus Christians arise powerfully, purposefully and passionately to make more history as they glorify God and advance his kingdom.

Edwin Omaya and Nellie Macharia (above) are leaders of the Nairobi Campus Ministry.

Click here for further information about all of the ICOC campus conferences being held around the world: www.hereamisendme.net

From www.icochotnews.com