This prompted the Church leadership to initiate the current ongoing church project in the year 1997.

In order to achieve this objective, the Vicar -in-charge, the late Canon Samson Njuguna constituted a Building Committee of 12 members to spearhead the construction project.

A wholistically transformed community with a dignified and gainful placement in society.

Mission

Provide orphaned children from deprived social and economic backgrounds with shelter, nurture, and developmental needs requisite for the realisation of their full potentials.

The Home

The A.C.K Thika  Namrata Shah Children’s Home, a project of the Anglican Diocese of Thika was established in 2003, to cater for the rising number of destitute children. These are mainly children orphaned as a result of HIV/Aids, or circumstances within their families have robbed them off opportunities necessary for child growth and development.

The Home is located at Kiganjo Estate in Thika Municipality. It was constructed through the joint efforts of the Diocese of Thika and M/S Shah Mohanlal Mepa Sumaria. The running of the Home is entrusted to a Management Board, which is drawn from the local community.

Be a Partner

We have an inescapable Responsibility to ensure that CHILDREN have a Secure Tomorrow.

Join the TEAM by; -

q       Registering as a FRIEND of the Home

q       Sponsoring a Child

q       Making a Donation

Please send your contributions to; -

ACK Thika – Namrata Shah Children’s Home

P.O Box 214 Thika, 01000             KENYA

E-mail:- childrenshome@ackthikadiocese.org

the Namrata Shah children

To be the best community based micro finance institution in Kenya, founded and managed on Christian values.

Mission

To enhance the building of the kingdom of God in its wholeness by empowering the community savings mobilization, credit provision and capacity building, using efficient and effective coordination, to improve their social-economic status and win them for Christ.

Core values

Faithful and prudent stewardship of resources

Transparency and accountability

Christian solidarity and cooperation

Hard work and self reliance

Honesty and health human relationships

Demonstration of acceptable behavior based on Christian love

Background Information

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Introduction & The Diocesan Development Philosophy

The goal of the ACK Thika Social Services programs is to provide a framework for Sustainable Development initiatives with the aim of alleviating poverty. This is achieved by enhancing the capacities of the people to utilize their competencies maximumly. This philosophy is based on the premise that people should live in a just and equal society and that the economy is not in a fated state. Its historic patterns show that it is flexible and that it can be re-thought and changed for the good of mankind.  This involves challenging the structures that sustain the systems of exclusion, and deny people the right to access to production and creation of wealth, thus disempowering and robbing them off their self worth.

Thika Community Development Trust

Overview

The overall goal of the ACK development program is to contribute to the efforts of poverty alleviation through self-help groups with a parish focus herein after referred to as Trust Groups. This undertaking is in line with the Diocese’s wholistic mission of transformation and restoration in the matters of justice, dignity and love through a social action approach. About Sh2.3M is the member worth while over Sh1.0M is circulating as credit.

Achievement

• The TCDT has in the last one and half years managed to design a microfinance model for pilot testing. This has been done through a ‘needs assessment’ approach at the grassroots, and interviews with organizations with similar programs.

1.      14 Parishes were identified as suitable for program implementation areas. This far 9 Trust Group have already been established and are operational with an average of 60 members.  These are;-

2.      St. Andrew’s Pro-Cathedral

3.      St. Luke’s Makongeni

4.      Thika Memorial

5.      ACK Ititu

6.      St. James’ Gataka-ini

7.      St. James’ Gakui

8. St. Mathew’s Juja              

9.      ACK Mugutha

10.  ACK Kiganjo {ACK Muthara was established}

11.  Ruiru East

12.  ACK Giachuki

• These are fully established with functional managing committees.
• Average Membership per group is about 60
• To stabilize the groups, the TCDT is carrying out a capacity building exercise through training programs.

Planned Activities

• To enhance the capacity of the TCDT to effectively mentor and monitor the Trust Groups for efficient and effective performance. This will involve;-

i.       Designing and establishing functional systems and structures of Trust Groups for effective governance and management.

ii.       Conduct training activities for the ;-

-         Trust Group members,

-         Trust Groups Managing Committees,

-         TCDT Trustees/Board and Project Staff, Clergy

iii.       Develop a functional MIS and Accounting system

iv.       Finalize on the designing of the Microfinance program, whose raw draft is presently being pilot tested on the selected parishes.

The Trust Groups carry an inherent potential necessary for development both in the district and the diocese. It is envisaged that they will contribute to overall economic growth and human development. The program is especially recommended for young mothers and youth that have the potential to invest in micro and small businesses.

Other Activities

July 5^th – 19^thJuly 2006             -           Kairos Group USA will be visiting and work with Micro finance Groups.

1.      July 31^st – 4^th August          2006    -           Provincial Conference on Microfinance

ACK Thika Diocese will be celebrating 10 Great years of Ministry On 31^st Jan. 2009. Having been established on 1^st July 1998, the first Bishop, The RT. Rev Dr. Gideon Githiga was consecrated on 31^st January 1999 hence the celebrations.  On the said date, we have organized for a Charity walk as part of our fundraising efforts in support of our holistic Ministry especially to the under- privileged members of our communities with both spiritual and material needs.

We envision accelerating ministry to the following target groups: Orphans and vulnerable children, unemployed youth, PWA’s {People Living with AIDS} the elderly care-givers, poverty and hunger stricken communities within our diocese, we also intend to evangelize the unreached with the gospel. Our target is to raise Shs. 5 million

To achieve the above, we are appealing for cash donations in pursuit of our ministry objectives. Corporate participation may be in any of the four levels indicated below:

Level 1 Kshs. 10,000 {Certificate}

Level 2 Kshs. 20,000 {Bronze}

Level 3 Kshs. 30,000 {Silver}

Level 4 Kshs. 50,000 and above {Gold}

All donations should be made ACK THIKA DIOCESE WALK ACCOUNT

FADHILI BANK A/C NO 00004455667788

As our partners, we are offering you an opportunity to place an Information desk within our churches in the diocese every Sunday over the next one month. We shall also advertise your products and services to over 30,000 Christians during our publicity campaigns and acknowledge your company during all mass media advertising among other benefits.

Bishop Gideon Githiga, the First Bishop of the Diocese being presented by senior clergy for consecration on 1st january 1999 L-R: Ven Canon David Njoroge, Ven Mutonga, the the Vicar General, The Most Rev. Dr. David Gitari (Partly Hidden) Rev. Peter(Bihing Bishop Gideon) Rev. Julius Wanyoike (The First Administrative Sec. now Provost All Saints Cathedral Nairobi) Ven Nephat Gakuya (The Second Admin Sec) and Ven George Gitau Now in the USA.

Evangelism

The great commission that Jesus gave to His disciples; “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” applies to all Christians. I charge the Youth, the Mothers’ Union and the Fathers’ Association to make evangelism first in the order of their priorities. Our vicars will need to organize evangelism and preaching courses to equip these groups with the skills of winning people to God’s Kingdom.

Theological Training

The success of any institution depends on its professionally trained personnel. Thika Diocese will try as much as we can to ordain only those candidates who have a minimum of three years theological education. We will encourage our clergy to aim at gaining higher qualifications. We are glad to learn that St. Paul’s Limuru is starting a Masters in Theology degree beginning in September this year which is going to be affordable for those who have been aspiring to go overseas for the same.

TEE

We recognize that most of the conflicts that we have in our churches are as a result of having many Christians who do not know the Bible well. We will initiate and intensify programmes that will help our laity to undergo theological courses that will empower them in their various ministries. With the assistance of our Christians I intend to establish a human resource development centre that would cater for members beyond the Anglican faith.

Ministry to Schools

One of the most important benefits of mission Christianity was the establishment of mission schools. Schools aimed at developing children wholistically that is mentally, spiritually, and physically. Today schools have become hot-beds for drugs, immorality and strikes. We will encourage creation of many Church private schools that will provide Christian values to our young people. We will also pay special attention to all our sponsored schools to ensure that they are Christian oriented.

Community Development

The Church will need to demonstrate the deeds of Christ Himself who fed the hungry and healed the sick before He preached to them. The Board of Christian Community Services will need to survey what it can do to initiate local projects that would provide employment to some of our unemployed youth. We also recognize that there are many Agricultural graduates who are still jobless, when there are lands and people lying idle. We intend to use them.

Ecumenism

Finally in this order it is important to emphasize the need of local Churches to work together. We will need to encourage one another. The 20th Century is notoriously known as the age, which our people have been divided into the so-called denominations first by the European missionaries and more recently by us. We would like to see the next century as a time of coming together to speak with one voice and to confront our common enemy, the devil. We would like to see more of exchange of pulpits especially in our towns where we have so many Christian groups.

KAYO objectives are:

• To bring young people to Christ
• To build up young people in knowledge of Christian faith, the bible being their foundation
• To build good Christian character and encourage members to become good leaders of the church and community.
• To help the church understand her responsibility towards the young people.
• To empower young people to live responsible and meaningful lives morally, socially, economically and politically.

Boys & Girls Brigade

This movement is made up of boys and girls who are between the Sunday school age and the youth. They are a very delicate age group, which needs to be properly nurtured.
The boys Brigade motto is – sure and steadfast
The girls Brigade motto is – seek serve and follow Christ

Sunday School

This department caters for young children who then graduate to the Brigade. It has several trainings for teachers who are expected to communicate effectively to the children thus giving them a Christian foundation.

Diocesan Mission and Evangelism
This department caters for evangelism in the diocese. It ensures that everybody is reached out to.

Verse 15b “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”

Introduction

Kenya Anglican Men’s Association is a Christian Men’s organization in province bond together by its aims and objectives. It was founded by the late Rt. Rev. George Muiru Njuguna of Mt. Kenya South in 1984. Today it has spread to all Anglican Churches in Kenya. In Thika Diocese it was started as soon as we got our Diocese in 1998.

The ACK 15^th Ordinary Session of the Provincial Synod meeting at all Saints Cathedral Parish Hall, Nairobi on 5^th July 2001 gave its blessing to the establishment of the Kenya Anglican Men’s Association and approved the constitution of provincial KAMA.

The name of the organization shall be Kenya Anglican Men’s Association.

The aims and objectives of Provincial, Diocese, Parish and local church KAMA shall be the same, which are as follows:

v     To promote God’s Kingdom and set forth his glory

v     To help its members to grow in Spirit, mind and body and to be nurture in faith for every good work

v     To encourage its members to pray an active part in the mission of the church.

v     To promote Christian principles in national, civil and community life.

v     To encourage its members to undertake acts of Christian service for the distressed disadvantaged or disabled.

v     To encourage its members to use their resources in supporting the work of the church at all levels.

v     To encourage Anglican Lay Men and  Women to play a positive role as Christians in the Political, Social and Economic life of the nation.

v     To Honour  the institution of marriage as ordained by God and promote Christian family values.

v     To promote Christian fellowship, love and unity in the church and the society and to promote spiritual enthusiasm among is members.

The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon G. Githiga and the vicar general, Ven. Canon David Njoroge outside the diocesan office after a diocesan fundraising service on 11th June 2007 On the Right is the Current Administrative Secretary, Rev. Stephen Nduati.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon G. Githiga was consecrated on January 31, 1999. He is the first Bishop of the Diocese.

He holds a Bachelor of Divinity degree from St. Paul’s United Theological College, Limuru (1980), a Masters degree in Sacred Theology from General Theological Seminary, New York City (1984), and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Open University in the United Kingdom Ph.D (1997).

Other responsibilities

1. Chair of the Provincial Board of Education and Training in the Anglican Church of Kenya.
2. Member of the Governing Council of St. Paul’s United Theological College
3. Member of the Central Province – Education Board among others.

Before he became the Bishop of Thika, he taught African Church History and Missiology at the St. Paul’s Theological College Limuru. Bishop Githiga is the author of ‘The Church as the Bulwark Against Authoritarianism: The Church and the State Relations in Kenya since 1963 – 1992’ which details the contribution of the church in the democratisation process in Kenya. He has presented (various occasions) papers on topical theological issues.

Excerpts of the Bishop Githiga’s charge on his Consecration and Enthronement

… on being elected the first Bishop of Thika……
I would sincerely like to thank the members of the Electoral College for nominating me, and subsequently electing me as the first Bishop of Thika. This makes me feel so humble before them and before God. It is my prayer that I retain the confidence bestowed on me. I want to thank all the Christians of this Diocese for their prayers and the peaceful environment they have provided throughout the exercise.

…on his relationship with Archbishop (retired) David Gitari a great inspiration and mentor……
I would start by thanking your Grace for the role you have played both in my ecclesiastical and academic life. It would have been almost impossible for me to complete my recent studies in Britain without your support. Your Grace’s contribution towards the Church and state dialogue, which also earned you an honourary doctorate from the universities of Canterbury and Kent in the recent Lambeth Conference, motivated me to read for my Ph.D., on political theology. This important contribution is now available in many libraries of theology and political science all over the world.

…on former Bishops who served in the diocese….
I would like to recognize the work done by my predecessors in this ecclesiastical region namely: the late Bishop Obadiah Kariuki of the former Diocese of Mount Kenya, the late Bishop Sospeter Magua of the former Diocese of Mount Kenya South, the retired Bishop of Mount Kenya Central, John Mahiaini, the retired Bishop of Mount Kenya South, George Njuguna (late) and finally Bishops Julius Gatambo and Peter Njenga of Mount Kenya Central and Mount Kenya South respectively who have jointly handed over the pastoral staff to me. Being a child of these two mothers, we urge our “mothers” to spread out their breasts generously so that for sometimes we can enjoy your milk

….. reconciliation and unity in service….
Some institutions retard when people and their leaders keep on reflecting on past mistakes and differences. We need to enter the new era with one mind and one spirit and together we build a cohesive Diocese of Thika.

…..come let us build together…….
I am aware that the Christians of this Diocese have high expectations of their Bishop, but let me assure you that I cannot accomplish anything without you. I can only succeed if I am supported by all of you. On this, I quote Sir Isaac Newton who once said; “If I can see far, it is because I stand on the shoulders of other giants”. My giants are the clergy, the laity, my synod, all boards and committees of this Diocese and all the Christians within my jurisdiction. I will not go alone.

….. on challenges in the service and enhancing the capacity of the clergy…..
The Bishop is the chief shepherd of his Diocese, but let me remind the clergy that they are the chief shepherds in their parishes. We are all under the Good Shepherd whom we should emulate. Let us be reminded here that we are not looking after ordinary sheep. In our administration we need to reason out with the members of our councils. We cannot afford to be dictators in the age of democracy and multi-party. The era of dictatorship is gone. We will need to deliberate issues of our common concern and as far as possible arrive at a consensus. I will try my best to build more confidence on our vicars in their pastoral and administrative roles.