Viral Church Planting Conference

This last week we were able to be part of Nairobi Chapel's annual church planting conference 'Viral'. We joined with about 500 others from around the world in a three day conference.

Nairobi Chapel has one clear mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ. One of the ways which they seek to do this is by planting churches. Nairobi Chapel is in some ways more a  church planting movement rather than a church.  There are many, many church plants that have come out of Nairobi Chapel.

Their current goal is to plant 300 churches globally by 2020 and they are well on their way to doing this.

It began by celebrating the 13 new churches that had been planted in the last 12 months. This doesn't include the numerous church plants that have been planted by daughter churches of Nairobi Chapel.

It ended by celebrating the 18 churches about to begin with the next 6 months.

It was an amazing and inspiring time. There were some world class speakers from various churches in Nairobi and from the U.S.A. And we have been privileged to connect up with some over the week.

One of the highlights of the week has been meeting a team that is planning a church plant in London. It is a joint partnership of Nairobi Chapel and Grace church in Indianapolis. The team were commissioned today at the Sunday service. The team of seven (plus 5 in Indianapolis) will spend six months in Indianapolis and then six months in Nairobi preparing before committing to seven years together in London.

The Kenyan London team plus lead pastor Todd and Angeline from Indianapolis.

Emily came to the whole conference, the youngest delegate She had many people enthralled by her cute factor!

We have also met several Kenyans who have either spent time in New Zealand or who are about to go there for ministry work. It is a very small world, and so strange to be talking of shared acquaintances and experiences in New Zealand with Kenyans in Nairobi.

After church we were blessed with spending the afternoon at Pastor Oscar's (NC's senior pastor) house for an amazing lunch with the team from the Viral conference.

Another week ahead, another adventure.

John will be involved in the post conference retreat and Connie and the family will be back into school and Kindergarten.

The boys have really enjoyed making some good friends through church the last week and are looking forward to continuing the friendships.