FAITH CHURCH TEAM TO TRAVEL TO DROUGHT-STRICKEN KENYA FOR WATER PROJECT

NASHVILLE, TN – Faith Church commissioned its 5-person ‘Marich Water Team’ last Sunday as they prepare to make the 8,000+ mile journey this Friday, November 27, to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, Africa and then on to the small village of Marich for a 7-day mission to assist in the final installation of a water purification system for a 30 feet deep well the people of Marich recently dug by hand.

Marich Water Team departs for Kenya. Pictured left to right, Ran Batson, Brandon Anderson, Tina and Brian Riedel. (not pictured, George Garden.)

The project comes at a critical time as Kenya and eastern central Africa is in the grip of a devastating drought, which has brought massive crop failures resulting in what the United Nations World Food Program is calling a potentially “catastrophic” situation.

The trip is being celebrated as a powerful expression of Faith Church’s friendship and commitment to a local church congregation in Marich, Kenya.

In 2007, Faith Church pastor Jerry Hoek and his wife, Claire, traveled to western Kenya to meet and encourage several congregations in the Reformed Churches of East Africa and to explore how the two distant churches might partner together on various issues such as education, basic life-quality issues and spiritual growth.

While in Kenya, the Hoeks learned of the Marich community’s desperate need for clean water and the seeds were planted for this week’s mission trip. Since then, the drought conditions have elevated this need to one with potentially life and death ramifications. A local school in Kapenguria, which is near Marich and also supported by Faith Church, is reporting that 75% of the students there were recently infected with the H1N1 virus.

The team, comprised of George Garden, Brandon Anderson, Brian and Tina Riedel and Ran Batson, will help an existing group of local citizens in the village of Marich in the final installation of a water purification system and plan to return to the US on December 5.

Along with the installation of the system the Marich Water Team will also train and educate local leaders in system maintenance issues and basic health information regarding waterborne disease.

George Garden will be meeting with local government authorities regarding water quality and supply issues, while Dr. Brian Riedel and his wife, Tina, a registered nurse and both experienced foreign missionaries expect to offer health education to the local population.

Faith Church is honored and excited to send this team and asks for prayers for their work and safety as they extend the love of God and the hand of fellowship from Nashville to Marich.

Faith Church is involved in all kinds of service, support and care in our community.

Though we’re not a church that wears it our sleeve, we thought it might be helpful to explain ways we’re involved in the community as a way to help you get to know us:

By Faith Halfway House (Nashville)

We’re proud to support the women at By Faith and consider them family. We’ve been blessed to be able to meet some practical, financial and spiritual needs among these wonderful women on the road to recovery. From food and clothing to bible studies, it’s been our pleasure to stand by our sisters at By Faith.

Churches in Kenya (Africa)

A couple of years ago, Pastor Jerry began a relationship with E. Kenyan Pastor Joseph Murupus. Since then, Faith Church has been blessed to support the work of Rev. Murupus in various ways. What initially started as scholarships for education and funds for various needs has blossomed into a warm and thriving fellowship that transcends culture and distance. Early this year, Pastor Jerry and his wife Claire traveled to Kenya and witnessed firsthand the powerful impact we’re having by supporting the church, school and people of this thriving community in East Kenya.

Nashville New Korean Church

Faith Church has opened it’s doors to Nashville New Korean Church for the last few years – sharing our facility with this exciting and growing young church, which ministers to people of Korean heritage now living in the Nashville area. It has been blessing and highlight to fellowship and worship with this wonderful congregation.

Bible Study Groups

Faith Church wants to give everyone an opportunity to know the joy of community with other believers and the benefits of learning more about the Bible. To that end, Faith Church offers bible studies throughout the Nashville area. These groups meet in homes and usually focus on a biblical book or topic. Please contact Pastor Jerry if you would like specific information about a bible study near you.

Local Food Bank/Ministry of Needs through Deacons

You may have noticed a big container in our foyer for food collections, this is just one way we hope to be a blessing to our surrounding area. Faith Church Deacons are tasked with the ministry of supporting those in need by overseeing the use of benevolence funds and in the meeting of practical needs as requested including donating food, clothing and financial assistance.

Recovery in the Community

Faith Church is home to several recovery groups who meet here throughout the week. We are proud to provide a place for our friends on the path to physical and spiritual wholeness. If you’d like to attend or learn more about these meeting, please contact Pastor Jerry.

Community Groups

Faith Church hosts various community activities throughout the week. These include Girl Scouts, Music Playhouse Classes, Private Music Lessons, Condo Owners Meetings and Engedi Ministries (a seasonal lecture series on topics from a Reformed perspective). We’re so blessed to share our facilities with these friends and are proud to support their work.