EPIDEMIC OF LONELINESS

OVERCOMING THE EPIDEMIC OF LONELINESS.

Beloved brethren, there is a wave of loneliness sweeping across our society today.

This wave is a product of frustration, grief, sadness, anger, and disappointments that is fueled by family breakdowns, economic hardships, and social crisis that leave many hearts burdened.

Loneliness is deeply personal.

Most people silently bury their feelings behind smiles, pretending to be okay when inside they are hurting.

Let us not allow loneliness to win. 

Let us keep checking on our siblings, relatives, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. 

A simple call, a kind word, or even just being present can make a world of difference.

Apostle Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:2 KJV:

"Bear ye one another's burdens,

and so fulfil the law of Christ."

Check on someone today. 

Be the light and the fire that warms peoples cold and lonely hearts. 

Boniface Amani Gichina (CPM)

The Power of Treating People With Dignity.

THE POWER OF TREATING PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY.

Beloved brethren, every human being deserves to be treated with dignity, irrespective of their faith, race, status, or nationality.

Jesus Himself demonstrated this truth through the parable of the Good Samaritan and by teaching us to “love your neighbour as yourself.” 

True greatness is not in power or wealth, but in showing respect, compassion, and dignity to others.

The best gift you can ever give any human being is not money, not possessions, but respect and dignity. 

It costs you nothing, but it means everything to the one receiving it.

Live a life that uplifts others.

Speak words that respect people. 

Take actions that dignify people. 

Jesus says it very well in Matthew 7:12 KJV, 

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: 

for this is the law and the prophets.”

Now you know!

If you dignify others, you will not miss your own dignity. 

Boniface Amani Gichina (CPM)

Beware of Too Much Independence

BE CAREFUL WITH TOO MUCH INDEPENDENCE:

Beloved brethren, human beings are social beings: created to be inter-dependent. 

Too much sense of independence may lead to ignorance and arrogance. 

In the long run, it can even lead to loneliness and isolation.

It is empowering to know that you can stand on your own, but remember this: you are never totally independent. 

Other people have a role to play in your life, and you have a role to play in theirs too.

Don’t allow your faith, your status, your achievements, or your discoveries push you too far from your relatives, friends, colleagues, or neighbours. 

True strength is not in detachment, but in meaningful connection.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 KJV, says:

"Two are better than one;

because they have a good reward for their labour. 

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: 

but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

Take time to:

•Check on your neighbour,

•Visit a sibling,

•Call an uncle,

•Attend a friends Ruracio,

•Buy a gift for an In-law.

•Chat with a colleague in another department etc.

Invest in your "Dependence" on others: you never know when you will need them.

Boniface Amani Gichina (CPM)

REMEMBERING GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IN YOUR LOW MOMENTS:

REMEMBERING GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IN YOUR LOW MOMENTS:

Beloved brethren, go to church today, even if you feel low, discouraged, disappointed, weak etc.

There are times you may feel as if God is a million miles away. 

As if He does not care. 

As if He has forgotten you etc.

David felt like that too in Psalm 77:10 KJV:

"And I said, This is my infirmity:

but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High".

In his infirmity, in his challenges, in his trying moment: 

He made a deliberate choice to remember God’s faithfulness in his past.

Remember what God has done for you before.

He healed you,

He delivered you,

He gave you a job,

He gave you a wife/husband, 

He gave you a baby/babies,

He turned tables in your favour etc.

Remember these things and be encouraged. Choose to recall His past goodness and be inspired. 

If He did it before, He will do it again.

Go to church to remind yourself of God's goodness in your past.

Even if you don't learn something new today, just remembering God’s past faithfulness will be very refreshing for you.

Those who remember are always renewed. 

Boniface Amani Gichina (CPM)

Servant Leadership:

SERVANT LEADERSHIP:

Beloved brethren, there are various types of leadership styles: Autocratic, Democratic, Charismatic, Bureaucratic, Visionary, Servant etc, just to mention a few.

Each of these leadership styles have their strengths and weaknesses.

Jesus taught and emphasised on Servant Leadership. 

One of the greatest lesson for Servant Leadership is found in 1 Kings 12:7 KJV:

"......If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, 

and wilt serve them, 

and answer them, 

and speak good words to them,

then they will be thy servants for ever."

True leadership is not about titles, power, or control: it is about service. 

When a leader humble himselves to serve, he gain not just Followers, but Hearts.

In the church, servant leadership builds unity, love, and spiritual growth.

In a society, it brings fairness, justice and dignity.

In a nation, it comes with peace, prosperity, and lasting progress.

Jesus Himself, the King of kings, taught in Matthew 20:27 KJV:

"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant"

This is the model of leadership we are called to embrace.

A leader who Speaks Kindly, Listens Carefully, and Serves Faithfully will never lack people who are ready to walk with him.

Boniface Amani Gichina (CPM)

PRAGMATISM IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP

PRAGMATISM IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP:

Beloved brethren, people go to churches not only to hear their preachers, but more importantly to obtain practical solutions.

Pragmatism simply means focusing on what works and what brings real tangible results.

Jesus was very pragmatic in His earthly ministry. He hardly engaged in theoretical teachings or debates. His focus was transformation of lives.

He always left people with tangible and undeniable testimonies.

A pragmatic pastor should:

✅ Preach the Word, and show people how to live it daily.

✅ Use methods that bear tangible fruits: not simply doing what is trending or what “have always been done.”

✅ Address the real needs of the flock: spiritually, emotionally, and socially.

Not just "selling hope" and making people "feel good". 

People come to church to "experience God" and to "experience  His goodness".

✅ Evaluate impact by tangible fruits e.g. lives transformed, souls saved etc.

Jesus Himself gave us the standard in Matthew 7:20 KJV:

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

Church leadership is not easy:

but it's doable by God’s grace.

Do the right things: 

Do it consistently:

Do it faithfully:

Do it pragmatically. 

At the end, the results will speak.

Finally, return all the glory to God.

Not to oneself or to any other person. 

Boniface Amani Gichina (CPM)

BEWARE OF SIDE HUSTLES.

BEWARE OF SIDE HUSTLES THAT CAN TURN YOU TO A PERMANENT HUSTLER.

Beloved brethren, in Kenya today, side businesses, popularly called Side Hustles, have become the norm. 

On the surface, this is a good thing: they expose us to new skills, fresh opportunities, and can bring in extra income. 

But let us pause and reflect: not all Side Hustles are a blessing; some can easily turn you into a Permanent Hustler in the wrong way.

Here are some dangers to watch out for:

1️⃣ Diversion from your main responsibility:

Many side hustles demand your personal attention and end up distracting you from your job or main business.

2️⃣ Overstretching your resources:

Running too many ventures at once may spread you thin and make them unsustainable.

3️⃣ The secrecy trap:

Some side hustles are done in hiding—and secret things can easily slide into illegal or immoral activities.

4️⃣ Becoming a Jack of all trades, master of none:

Losing focus means you may never truly excel in anything.

Let me share three cautionary examples I personally witnessed:

🔸 In Primary School, we had a teacher who doubled as a farmer. He often came late, left early, and even marked our books at home, sometimes returning them smelling of cow dung. His subjects were always poorly performed. 

🔸 In Secondary School, another teacher owned the school canteen. Instead of attending to students in his office, he spent his time in the canteen. His official office door remained closed most of the time. His subjects were also poorly performed. 

🔸 My Worst example is a Pentecostal Pastor in Mombasa who also owned a beer pub in his neighbourhood. 

He would rush from the pulpit to the pub to managing cash flow more faithfully than souls. 

Unfortunately the pub collapsed, and sadly, so did his salvation.

Beloved brethren, let us remember: what looks like an extra stream of income can sometimes drown your calling, your career, and even your soul.

Jesus warned us of the same in Matthew 6:24 KJV:

“No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one, and love the other… Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Stay focused, stay faithful, and let your hustle glorify God, not compromise you.

Boniface Amani Gichina (CPM)