A letter from Brenda Harcourt serving in Kenya
October 2014 - Passing the Torch
It is hard to believe that as I write this I am completing six years as a mission co-worker here in Kenya. My relationship with Kenya goes back much further than that. I started to come to Kenya through my home presbytery, which has a partnership with a presbytery in Kenya. When I made my first visit to Kenya I never thought that I would fall in love with the people of Kenya and would continue to come to Kenya and then eventually be placed here as a co-worker for our denomination.
My work at the Presbyterian University of East Africa continues to be an exciting part of my week. I teach several days a week and weekends from Friday through Sunday I try to develop or teach Leadership in presbyteries. These responsibilities have placed me under Resource Mobilization at the University, but instead of mobilizing financial support I mobilize people. Some of you may remember Rev. Patrick Rukenya, a former Secretary General for the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA). Patrick and I work together for the Resource Mobilization department. Also included in that department is the distribution of scholarship funds that come in from churches in the PC(USA).
When I sit to think about what I should write to all of you about, I am always looking back and thinking what people would like to hear. It feels like everything I do is so everyday for me. As I sat contemplating, I said to a friend that I don’t do anything very exciting. The person and I started to talk more, and then I realized I am preparing men and women for ministry. I am helping to train individuals so that the church will go on. The more pastors I help train, the further the gospel can be shared. These pastors are going out to serve in areas all over Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Then, reflecting, I realized that I can reach only so many people, but if I reach those who go out to reach others the impact is multiplied. Their stories of ministry become my stories because it started in the classroom. These men and women come to the University from diverse backgrounds but all gather with a common call to serve the church of Christ wherever the PCEA chooses to send them. They struggle with classes that are not yet apparent to them, trusting that they may use that knowledge someday, somehow, in their ministry. They learn the skills that will help them to define their call and their gifts to do ministry. When they get to their senior year they begin to ask the questions that I ask each day that I begin my work. What has God called me to experience or share as I go out into the vineyard?
In a few weeks we will be conducting our graduation and another class of pastors will enter into their ministries. They will carry with them the experiences and knowledge they learned at the University. Once they incorporate their own gifts into the mixture, their ministry begins to take shape and it will become apparent to them the type of ministry they are best suited for. Some will serve in rural parishes while others will serve in urban parishes. Several will go on to higher education while others will be happy and feel complete serving with their undergrad work.
But all in all, from the beginning of their call to their actual graduation and then serving the church, I was a part of that process. I was a part of their forming that call and then taking the next step. You and your support of my call and my ministry here in Kenya make you a part of the direction they will go. You have made an impact on me and in turn on my classrooms. Many of my lectures have shared experiences that I have learned in my years of parish ministry or serving with the PCCCA (Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association). You have shaped me so that I can go out to shape others.
The church of tomorrow is in good hands as we pass the torch on to others and as they carry on sharing the Word of God with brothers and sisters in all parts of the world. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.
In your prayers I ask that you continue to pray for my ministry here as it will come to an end in 2015. I ask that you pray for the men and women who come to the University and those who are already in the field, that God may use them in ways that spread the kingdom.
Rev. Brenda S. Lindsey Harcourt
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 135
The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 145
Read more about Brenda Harcourt's ministry
Blog: Church Mouse Musings
Write to Brenda Harcourt
Individuals: Give online to E200441 for Brenda Harcourt's sending and support
Congregations: Give to D507511 for Brenda Harcourt's sending and support
Churches are asked to send donations through your congregation’s normal receiving site (this is usually your presbytery).
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