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Unforgiveness can not only be destructive to a person's spiritual health, but also his or her physical well-being.

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We Are Watching the Changing of the Internet

On Monday, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) voted to allow a new array of Internet domain endings.

ICANN, the group that monitors Web addresses, voted Monday in Singapore to expand domain-name ending options. Read More

What killed Stella Mwangi's chances at the Eurovision Song Contest?

Kenyan singer-songwriter Stella Mwangi (aka STL) was doing great at the Eurovision Song Contest, having won the right to represent Norway (where she grew up) ...

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Kenyan Church Leader and Community Activist Set to Retire After 10 Years Service: Meet Mr. David Ikanyi

Mr. David Ikanyi Chairman of St Stephens Church Lowell, MA retired this Sunday 17th 2011 after serving the Church for over 10 Years .A Special service was held Today at 279 W 6th Street Lowell at 10:45AM.The Event "Prayer and Retirement Service honored Mr Ikanyi and his Family, offerred prayers and thanks to God for the exceptional service given by the outgoing chairman, Mr David Ikanyi for the last 10 years .

Giving the account and brief history of St Stephens Lowell Mr Ikanyi said "TheThe idea of having a Kenyan Church came from Rev. Cannon Peter Gachathi way back in 1994. Rev Gachathi,was then serving as the Assistant Rector in Episcopal Church in Somerville. He liased with Bishop John. After making several trips to New York it was decided that the Kenyan Church Breaks ranks with the Episcopal Church and founded the Original St. Paul American Anglican Church, Previously on Pleasant street, Malden Massachusetts." At that time,Mrs Rahab Ikanyi ,Mr Ikanyis wife, was a member of the first Parish council while Mr Ikanyi supported the Church with no official capacity at that time.

Rev. James Githitu, was sponsored by Rev. Gachathi to relocate from Michigan and he served as the Assistant to Vicar until he founded his own Church in Acton, Massachusetts taking with him a handful of members including Mr. and Mrs. Ikanyi and Kariuki Wa Kimungu the current acting Chairman.

Then St. Stephen Church, relocated from Acton to YMCA facility in Lowell around 1999 but the place was not Spacious and accommodating. With help by the first Treasurer Mr. Kihahu Njoroge, we found our present location and rented the Church hall. I had then served as the Vice Chairman with the Vicar as the Chairman and I served as the secretary at some point.

In the year 2000, the number of American Anglican Kenya Churches had grown to four. The Lowell Church lead by Rev. Githitu, Malden by Rev. Gachathi, Lynn by Rev. Njuguna Ngotho and Nashua by Rev Mwea. The American Anglican Church was not under the Bishop of Canterbury England like Kenya's Anglican Church where most the Vicars came from. The visiting Kenyan Bishops found it necessary to change from the American Anglican, all in one move and re- join the Episcopal Church despite the infamous stand on Gay and Lesbianism.

Our Bishop was heart broken by the timing of this move. He found my name from some members and he called me and gave me the opportunity to serve the Lowell Church and his worship, The Bishop, put it in writing. I did exactly that and to sustain the church, I proposed major changes that made the Chairman the head of the parish council and the Vicar the head of the pastoral duties. I also spear-headed meetings and social activities that saw us welcome Kenyan leaders, brought people together, mainly from the business community.

The church became the center for helping the needy and also a meeting place for many Kenyans. Some of the activities were viewed by some as ungodly; but I had read the bible where God did not confine him self with only the spiritual aspect in the children of Israel. People have been encouraged to invest and open Bank accounts in Kenya. He and his team assisted in facilitating financial help to the IDPs after the Past General Elections, Katrina victims, Sept 11 victims and not to mention the offering of famine relief efforts in Kenya.

My Vision at that time was to have a Kenyan Center where Kenyans of all walks of lives came and interacted with a common goal. However, many challenges came and as we all remember the break aways and formations of Churches that mushroomed in the late nineties over 15 Kenyan Churches in Boston area.

For us to be effective we need to work together. We now have Community based Associations which I doubt will be able to bind our people together. They must be faith based to succeed as in faith there is tolerance, there is forgiveness, there is no seniority , there is respect to God and to the people and there is patience and all these are based on VISION and PURPOSE. Define the purpose first before you start anything. Have the wrong purpose, be prepared to fail.

I thank God for the time he has given me to serve Kenyans in Massachusetts and I stand on the word that says what he began a good work in us, is faithful to bring it into fulfillment.

Mr David Ikanyi originally from Kenya Karuri/Banana area, attended Karuri and Kanunga high schools, Nairobi University and Quincy College. Currently practicing Nursing, happily married and a father of five girls.

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Featured Gospel Artist

Carol Mungai

Caroline Muthoni Njun’ge was born in Nairobi Kenya, and raised with Christian values. As time went by she took her granddad’s name and shortened her first name and hence now she is often known as Carole Mungai.
I credit my love for song to my dad.. read more

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