ALUMNI HOMECOMING 2007
On January 27, 2007, NEGST hosted the first ever Alumni
Homecoming at the Karen Campus. This gathering saw the coming
together of more than one hundred alumni accompanied by their
spouses and children.
The representation of the Alumni was amazing as some came from
as far as Australia, while others gave up their busy schedules to
come and be together with their peers, forgetting all the titles
they have. Some of the prominent Alumni in attendance were
Bishop Boniface Adoyo (Class of 1986) who is among the first four
graduates of NEGST, Dr. Omar and Kay Djoeandy (class of 1990) of
SIM Australia, Pastor John Gichinga, (class of 2002) Senior
Pastor of Nairobi Baptist, Mr. Mateso Akou of Diguna (class of
1991) and many others. A high profile school authority in
attendance was Mrs. Valentine Githoho, the Chairlady of the
Governing Council of NEGST.
Some of the highlights of the day included a highly
interactive game’s time facilitated by the Tanari Trust (a
team building group specialized in games and fun), fellowship and
bonding, keynote addresses and Alumni Recognition Award ceremony.
The Alumni’s kids entertained themselves on a bouncing
castle for most part of the event which lasted from 11:00 am
– 5:00 pm. The Kubamba Crew provided an exuberant musical
interlude.
Just when the Alumni thought they could sit down and rest
right after the games, they were greeted by salivating aroma of
delicious food from the Tamu Cafeteria. Without much ado, the
participants settled down for a sumptuous meal and drinks which
was catered for by the school.
The theme of the gathering was to promote fellowship, bonding,
networking among the alumni fraternity and getting involved in
the affairs of the school as well as getting updates from the
Vice Chancellor on the current status of the school and its
future plans. In his address, the VC gave a succinct update on
the progress taking place at NEGST as well as the future plans of
transforming NEGST into Africa Christian University (ACU).
On a similar note, the chairlady of the governing council in
her speech announced that the school is embarking on a $ 10
million endowment fund drive in which the alumni have a major
role to play. In responding to the chairlady’s challenge,
Jackie Othoro, Vice Chairperson of the Alumni Association, drove
the point home even more when she said “NEGST is
ours… we should not expect anybody to make it what we want
it to be if we fail to do it”.
The same thought was echoed by Bishop Adoyo in his address to
the gathering. In addition, he reminded the gathering that since
“zeal without knowledge is dangerous”
every“product of NEGST should market NEGST by what you do
with the knowledge that you acquired” from NEGST. He
challenged the alumni to remember their alma mater and to
financially support her progress as he himself is a faithful
supporter of NEGST through the denomination he heads.
As part of their commitment to this endeavor, most of the
alumni pledge monthly contributions towards the school.
By way of getting the alumni more involved in the affairs of
NEGST, the association is reviving its traditional Alumni Dinner
just before graduation in July each year. The institution has
also approved the reviving of the Alumni Affairs office with a
full time staff.
Our appeal to all our Alumni is: come let us build NEGST
together.
Below are some pictures of the action packed day.
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Pastor Gichinga (left) and Bishop Adoyo (2nd Left)
join the rest of the alumni during a dance to honor the first
NEGST Alumni (Class – 1986)
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The alumni join hands during one of the games played
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Ajulu Omot and Emily Isoka During the fun and games time
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Bishop Adoyo and Dr. Habtu watching the other alumni rough it
out during the games
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Dr. Omar joins Peter Yuh for lunch. It has been ten years
since they last saw each other.
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Tamu Cafeteria staff, assisted by volunteer, serves the
mouth watering food.
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Alumni Kids Jumping on in the Jumping
Castle
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Fun and games for the adults
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The alumni try to untangle a human circle
during the team building session
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Knees talk: Mateso Akou and Sammy Lio try to
survive an elimination game
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Here we come!” Getting set for games
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Tamu Cafeteria Staff preparing the delicious meal
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Bon Appetite! Association Chairman John Wesley Nguuh leading
the lot here
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Alumni Kids enjoying lunch after a hard morning of jumping
around
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Mrs. Valentine Gitoho (standing) chatting with some of the
Alumni during lunch
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Dancing to shake off some of that lunch
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The gift to Bishop Adoyo receiving a makeover from NEGST
Staff
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Bishop Adoyo receives an award in a real traditional African
style
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NEGST ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
John Wesley Nguuh
Alumni Association Chairman
Vision:
To see a connected and transformed community of NEGST graduates
engaged in the pursuit of excellence in African Christianity.
Mission:
To facilitate the networking of NEGST graduates to positively
impact the NEGST community, the African continent and the whole
world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Objectives:
We agreed that the association exists to enable the alumni
to:
- Facilitate information flow from them to NEGST and vice
versa
- Stay in touch and partner in ministry
- Share opportunities for placement in ministry
- Sell the vision of NEGST and recruit students
- Serve as a link between NEGST the alumni and the church
- Provide a forum for dialogue and interaction on key
theological and social issues – hence provide theological
leadership
- Enhance NEGST fundraising activities
Alumni Association Executive Committee:
John WesleyNguuh - Chairperson
Jackie Othoro – Vice Chairperson
Josephine Sesi – Secretary
Rosaline Olumbe – Treasurer
Networking:
All alumni are invited to register with the alumni association.
Please send your email contacts and/or physical address and phone
to alumni@negst.edu.
We are looking forward to getting more connected.
Urban Ministry: Keeping it Real
Kyama Mugambi is the pastor of Mavuno Downtown Chapel - the newest church plant of the Nairobi Chapel (www.nairobichapel.org). This is a unique ministry which reaches out to the urban, mostly single, post-college young adults in Nairobi. "We have found that many of our traditional church environments have left this significant group of people unchurched. My passion is to contextualize the Gospel making it more accessible through finding more relevant, innovative and lively expressions of church. We are located at the Tin Tin Restaurant in KICC, right in the middle of Nairobi which makes us easy to get to." The first 5 months saw this young congregation double in size from 50 to 100 young people in their lower to mid twenties. "What is exciting for me is that many of those who join us were not attending church anywhere, but as we have gathered each week they have gained a new found interest in their Christian faith."
"Our church has a vibrant mid-week young adult forum called Keeping it Real." This gathering also meets in downtown Nairobi, at the Professional Center. It provides an open discussion environment where 80 young people discuss topics relevant for the young professional today. "What we are trying to do is aptly caught in our catch phrase for this initiative - providing a non religious approach to Christianity."
Mavuno downtown through its musicians and leadership is involved with Café Mia Moja, the only musical event of its kind in Nairobi. It is a gathering where musicians create awareness for social justice issues through their music and through the event. "Our aim is to sensitize the urban middle income young adults and encourage them to engage in social justice and community transformation activities."
Mavuno downtown also has established links with various programs in the informal settlements of Nairobi - among them is Tulip - Tumaini Ladies Integration Program in Korogocho and a destitute children's school in Riruta. "It is in opportunities like these where we engage in the ministry of presence, spending time with people who are growing up and living with less than what we had growing up." Mavuno downtown members participate in these programs to add value to their faith; to touch and be touched by those they meet while they live out their Christianity in the market place.
Mavuno Downtown hopes to impact the lives of young people living in this city through unique expressions of worship, to impact the places where they work and live, to touch lives through social justice activities, to transform through the media and in the arts.
Kyama Mugambi
MA Biblical studies - 2002-2004
NEGST