Holy Trinity Auburn Celebrates One Year of Ministry
Holy Trinity Auburn celebrated their first birthday on the 3rd of September. The celebrations began with a legendary Kenyan BBQ where a dozen or more grills filled the field adjacent to the church and kept everyone well fed with excellent Kenyan dishes – of course including goat, prepared and grilled to perfection. Sack races and other fun activities kept everyone entertained. Such was the crowd, some members of the church family had to rush out for extra celebratory blue t-shirts so that every member of this growing congregation could be properly attired!
Bishop Andrew commented, “At the inception and planting of this exceptional church, Reverend Eliud and his committed leadership team, made a clear and strategic decision to hold their overflowing worship services and mid-week meetings in English. Although many of the members of the church have Kenyan origins, the Lord gave them a clear vision to be a church for all nations. In their faithful response, English has provided a common entry point for a vibrant church family that is now drawn from Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, Liberia, the USA, and the Philippines. The Church of the Holy Trinity carries a remarkable charism to welcome the stranger. Many of them have come from overseas and are immediately made welcome in this global family. I come back a year later and the growth is staggering!”
During the service, Bishop Andrew presented Reverend Eliud and his wife, Leah with a traditional Massie blanket. The blanket would be worn by a Massie warrior in Kenya. Bishop Andrew brought the gift back for them following his recent mission trip to Kenya. He commented, “I could not think of a more fitting gift for these valiant, faithful and courageous soldiers of faith.” Senior Warden Stephen Kagotho, also a member of the ADNE Standing Committee, spoke movingly of how he had witnessed God’s faithfulness and goodness in the planting and growth of this new ADNE church. With customary honor and gratitude, he thanked many church members for their faithful service in establishing Holy Trinity and for making the day such a celebration.
After the celebratory anniversary service, in which there were presentations from the children, Mother’s Union and Men’s fellowship, the church hosted a lavish banquet complete with a huge birthday gift. The church also chose to honor all of the new members who travelled some distance to be part of this church family. Each family was presented with a gift to show the church families appreciation of the sacrifice they made to be there.
The lavish banquet, also included the theme of international welcome. The gifted culinary team chose dishes from Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, Liberia and the Philippines so that everyone would enjoy something from their country of origin. From behind a mountain of pots and pan that were being washed and dried, one of the hospitality team remarked, “In our eating together, our heart was to show everyone that they are loved and for every family member (wherever they are from) to have a little taste of home in their new church home.” Bishop Andrew commented, “One year later, Holy Trinity is truly like walking into a little piece of heaven; a place where every tribe and nation gather in the presence of Jesus.”
