On his first Episcopal visit to Africa since being enthroned as the Patriarch of the ICCEC, Archbishop Craig Bates has made the most out of his time with the faithful who minister in the vastness of East Africa. On a whirlwind journey through Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania he has been assisted by Bishop Bernard Njoroge, the Bishop of the Diocese of Nairobi, as well as American clergy Bishop Michael Davidson, Fr. Jim House, and Fr. Terry Gensemer. Fr. Gensemer is helping the Patriarch to establish the CEC as a Pro-life church internationally, while Bishop Davidson and Fr. House are implementing the Certificate Program for African clergy, especially in Tanzania. The wife of the Patriarch, Cathy Bates has been strengthening the lives of the wives of Bishops in Kenya and Uganda through strong biblical teaching and numerous fellowship occasions.

In the meeting with the Kenyan Bishops, the Patriarch set the tone for the next several days by stressing the importance of family life among the Bishops and other clergy. He made it clear how important the unity of the family is to the spiritual health of their dioceses and parishes. They were told that the Bishop is always a target of the enemy as well as an example to the flock, so they were encouraged to remain diligent in their mission and vision. The next day Archbishop Bates spoke to the Bishops about the importance of obedience to God and the Scriptures as it relates to God’s Government. Bishop Bernard Njoroge commented on the Patriarch’s teaching on government by saying, “When the Patriarch spoke to us concerning the restoration of the government of God to the church, it was doing God’s work God’s way. This is the only way the CEC will conform to God’s thoughts. Thereby we receive God’s confirmation and blessing. All the Bishops have committed themselves to this vision and mission.”

The Patriarch then presided over the Consecration of the new Bishop of the Diocese of River Nzoia North, Solomon Madara Kadiri. The installment of this new bishop has been greatly anticipated by the people of this Diocese for a long time and their joyful reception of this great event was overwhelming and spread throughout the countryside. The Patriarch and his entourage travelled for several hours over extremely rough terrain and weather conditions for the Consecration and the greatest reward was the look on the faces of the faithful at his arrival.  Around 1,000 people came from all over the Diocese and began by processing through the town to announce the Good News that the Patriarch of the church had come to install their new Shepherd. Several choirs and praise teams participated in the ceremony. The importance of the African church to the rest of the CEC is expressed best as we observe their faithfulness to Jesus though their abandonment of their own lives as well as their desire to extravagantly worship their beloved Savior in singing and dancing before His Throne. Surely the Africans are leading the way for all of us.

In Uganda the Patriarch continued to emphasize the importance of the unity of the family and suggested the African church begin a ministry similar to the Women’s Union of the Anglican Church. He continually encouraged the unique ministry of women in the plan of God’s Kingdom. He pointed out how submission does not refer to subjectivity or servility but the word is broken down to mean someone is under (sub) and supportive of the mission of the leader. The Bishops in Uganda were also encouraged to be men of prayer and faithfulness to the vision God has given them. They were strongly pressed to do God’s will God’s way. In the afternoon on Tuesday Cathy Bates met with the Bishop’s wives for more teaching, fellowship and encouragement. She emphasized that as the mothers of their diocese they are extremely important in the building of the Kingdom of God in Africa.

More to come from from Uganda and Tanzania.