Fourth Annual "Vision to Reality" Conference Report

         In May 2006, Dr. Estelle Gross (now Cyrus) accepting the invitation from Director Jonathan Mudenyo of The Lord's Ministry, to come to Webuye, Kenya, East Africa, to conduct the first "Vision to Reality" Conference. Director Mudenyo, a visionary, saw several visions manifested into reality. The orphanage with 25 children stands as testimony of the success in working in partnership with God. Even the church building, "New Hope Christian Center," confirms that faith in God brings about what is impossible with man.

 

Director Mudenyo shared his vision for a school in 2006. With 70 percent of the population unemployed, many children are unable to attend school because of the high school fees. This vision is now a reality. The school has 160 students in attendance. Two dormitories are now under construction to house students who need to stay on campus. This shows plans for God's increase.

        In 2008, "Right Way" Ministries was asked to recognize Director Mudenyo as Bishop. Over forty pastors serve under his leadership in The Lord's Ministry. The ministry acknowledged what God had already confirmed in Director Mudenyo's life by conferring upon him the certification of Bishop.

 

 In this year's outreach, seven lead pastors in The Lord's Ministry were recognized as Elders by "Right Way" Ministries and awarded ordiantion certificates. Each Elder oversees several churches and have responsibility for various aspects of The Lord's Ministry. The longest servin overseer has thirty years in ministry; the shortest, twelve years. Several of these elders had input into the life of Bishop Mudenyo and have come under his leadership.

        Over one hundred people attended this conference. Two pastors were given bikes. the impact of the Word of God will bear fruit. We have been requested to continue to help train these leaders. Planning is already in motion for ministry in 2011.

 All praise to God for opening this door of ministry and empowering His servants to deliver the Word under the Holy Spirit's anointing. Special thanks to the many supporters who upheld the team with their prayers and financial support. Eternity holds our reward.

 

 

 

Rev. Dr. Estelle Gross Cyrus, Team Leader; Preacher/Teacher

Mr. Dereck Cyrus, Devotional Leader; Preacher/Teacher

Min. Sylvia Brooks, Team Nurse; Intercessor; Preacher/Teacher

Bishop Jonathan Mudenyo, Ministry Coordinator; Teacher

Mrs. Rose Mudenyo, Teacher

Min. Gideon Mudenyo, Crusade Speaker

Min. Steve Sitoko, Crusade Speaker

 

        Dr. and Mrs. Cyrus came from Canada; Min. Brooks came from the U.S. The plan was to meet in Amsterdam. Both flights arrived late. Dereck and Estelle Cyrus made the connection flight without their bags. Sylvia was too late to make the connection and was flown to london and re-routed to Nairobi. The three met at the Nairobi airport and flew to Eldoret together at 8:00am. Bishop Mudenyo and his team were waiting for their arrival. They were taken to Park Villa Hotel where they were able to rest and prepare for the Vision Conference.

 

                                    

         Bishop Mudenyo welcomed the participants and gave the purpose of the Vision Conference. It was followed with worship and praise. The opening message "Vision Purposes," delivered by Dr. Cyrus, covered what can be accomplished when God gives a personal vision. this was followed by the message: "Be Anxious for Nothing." Min. Brooks related the message to her own experience. This practical message was well received.

        After the plenary session,t he participants were separated in two groups: church leaders and lead pastors. Church leaders had a choice between two workshops: Min. Brooks taught "The Pathway to Answered Prayer" and Mr. Cyrus taught "Integrity: God's Standard." The lead pastors attended the workshops on how to implement the vision.

        Bishop Mudenyo and Dr. Cyrus shared the teaching in the Vision to Realities workshops. Dr. Cyrus opened with "Focus for the Vision." It covered the importance of keeping God in focus. Three benefits were discussed: (1) intimacy with God is established and maintained; (2) God's active involvement in ministry is provided and (3) God's purpose for our ministry is revealed.

        The crusades were conducted int he evenings. In spite of the heavy rains, the people in the community waited for the rains to stop. The Word went forth and the people responded to the altar call. God honored all our efforts.

 

 

        The plenary session opened with prayer and praises. Dr. Cyrus preached on "The Power of Purpose." As the Holy Spirit moved on the hearts of the hearers, most came to the altar in response. Dereck Cyrus, Sylvia Brooks, and Rose Mudenyo taught on "Maintaining Spiritual Vitality." In the discussions, weaknesses were identified. Their concept of vision was without a Biblical base, as were their responses. It was mentioned that persons had entered the ministry for financial gain. With 70 percent of the population unemployed, one could see how this could come about.

        Dr. Cyrus and Bishop Mudenyo covered two topics with the lead pastors.

 

 

Bishop Mudenyo addressed the topic of "Vision: Why it is given and the importance of it." Dr. Cyrus covered "Intimacy with God."

        Despite the rain each day, the crusade was conducted and people responded to the preached Word. About twenty-three people went forward.      

 

        This was the big day for those who had waited for years to be ordained. Bishop Mudenyo provided seven names of his overseers that were to be ordained. It was a privilege and a blessing for "Right Way" Ministries to recognize these elders.

        The conference opened with worship and praise. The Holy Spirit moved on the hearts of the congregation at the preaching of Dr. Cyrus' message "Have You Touched Heaven?" After this message, everyone in the congregation responded to the altar call.

 

        Dr. Cyrus, Min. Brooks, and Mr. Cyrus pooled their funds for the purchase of two bikes. Before the ordination service, Bishop Mudenyo called each pastor to receive his bike. it was a surprise for these men who lived a distance from their churches. Pastor Moses, who had been a faithful pastor and had to travel quite a distance to his church, was given a bike. he also had the distinction of being the tallest man in The Lord's Ministry. Pastor Steve Sitoko, a new pastor of two months, was also given a bike. Pastor Sitoko has been the team's translator since their first outreach to Webuye in 2006. He recently married and now has twin boys. This bike will be a great asset to his ministry and his family. After the bikes were presented, the ordination service began.

        Bishop Mudenyo gave background information for each of the overseers, who where receiving their ordination certificate. To hear the testimonies of these men was humbling. Several of these men had input into the life of Bishop Mudenyo and had been in ministry for some 20 and 30 years. And they were willing to come under his ministry as a covering. Pastor Gideon Mudenyo, Bishop Mudenyo's brother was the youngest with twelve years in ministry. He had served with his brother in New Hope Center Church as an assistant pastor. For the last year, he has served as lead pastor in a church he started. he also holds other positions of responsibility in The Lord's Ministry.

        "Right Way" Ministries International, Inc. may have provided the ordination certificates, but it was truly god who was honoring His faithful servants. As we watched these men receive their certificate, it was like a dream come true for several of them. Especially with those who had been in ministry for over twenty years.

        Bishop Mudenyo had desired to have a video projector. Having mentioned it to Dr. Cyrus, the Spirit moved her to give her video projector to him. It will be used for evangelizing purposes as well as a means to provide service that could bring funds into The Lord's Ministry. The team saw the joy it brought to both the Bishop and his congregation.

 

 

  Dereck Cyrus, Min. Brooks and Dr. Cyrus were assigned to preach in the Sunday morning services at different churches. Dr. Cyrus was assigned to New Hope Center, where Bishop Mudenyo is pastoring. Mr. Cyrus preached at Pastor Steve Sitoko's church and Min. Sylvia Brooks was assigned to Pastor Gideon Mudenyo's church.

        Monday was a rest day for the team. It was a much needed rest and all were pleased the Lord provided it. The three on the team each had some health issues and the rest day was enjoyed. We had the opportunity to discuss our efforts and praise God for his faithfulness. Bishop and Mrs. Mudenyo invited us for dinner at their home.

 

        Bishop Mudenyo and Dr. Cyrus shared what they believed God had accomplished and what would be needed in the future. Ony heaven can accurately record what the Holy Spirit accomplished during our ministry in Webuye. We know that the message of "Integrity" was clearly revealed in the preaching and teaching. We sensed that this was a life-changing conference. God wants to do great things in the lives of the servants and in the lives of those they serve.

        Mr. Steve Wanjala shared the following: "I believe this was a life-changing experience, the fellowship I had with the team and even the meetings ("Vision to Reality, "Power of Purpose," and "Have You Touched Heaven?") - this was yoke-breaking and unleashed the potential, especially in my life."

        Discussion will continue on how next year will work out. Bishop asked Dr. Cyrus to do some training in sermon preparation. The problem of financial record-keeping was also discussed. They talked about one year for training of his leaders and the next year for the conference.

        Bishop Mudenyo was also given the four ordiantion training modules as tools for those preparing for ordination. They have a three year training program. Dr. Cyrus has asked if she could review what they are using. Over the next few months, discussion will continue and prayers will be made to determine the mind of Christ for next year.

 

Bibles: Bibles are needed for the congregations of these churches. Most are able to read Swahili, but a Swahili Bible is expensive. English Bibles are also needed. Next year, we would like the ministry to raise the funds tto provide Bibles.

 

Training: Teaching is needed on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is a lack of understanding on how the five-fold ministry should operate in the church. Training on vision has been taught to the pastors, but it was evident in this visit that training also needs to be taught to the leadership of the churches.

 

Bicycles: Bishop Mudenyo has encouraged the starting of new churches. As a result, these new pastors would benefit by having bicycles. It would be a blessing to be able to provide this means of transportation for new pastors next year.

 

Bridge Way Hope Academy: The majority of the students are unable to pay. Even

 

the teachers do not know what salary they will receive. They work by faith and trust God for income to the Academy. "Right Way" is interested in raising funds for the school so that even more students can attend the academy and teachers can receive a regular salary.

        The doors for service in Webuye are open wide. As God leads, "Right Way" Ministries International, Inc. looks for years of ministry with Bishop Mudenyo and The Lord's Ministry.

 

Report prepared by:

  

Dr. Estelle Gross Cyrus, Executive Director

"Right Way" Ministries International, Inc.