Welcome to International Steward

Two and a half years ago, INTERNATIONAL STEWARD was commissioned by the Anglican Church in Kenya (ACK) to train their leadership. What began as a "typical" series of workshops and two-year mentoring program has blossomed into an ongoing partnership.

November 1999	Introductory Workshop in Moshi Tanzania attended by a few key Bishops of Kenya.
April 2002	Introductory Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. All Kenyan Bishops participated
Summer 2002	Bishops appoint Stewardship Coordinators in all 29 districts of Kenya.
July 2003	Introductory Workshops conducted for 21 (of 29) Stewardship Coordinators.
January 2004	Anglican Bishops of Uganda request training to implement this model.
July 2004	Advanced Workshop conducted in Nairobi for Bishops and Stewardship Coordinators
July 2004	Introductory Workshop for 112 pastors (50 from Anglican Church) at St. Paul's United Theological College.

These efforts are playing a significant role in encouraging locally supported ministries. All this at a time when the Western church has decided to reduce their support of this vibrant Anglican Church in Kenya by millions of dollars.

As I began my travel from Seattle through Houston to Belize City, I must admit my first thought were “could I do this?” I had become pretty soft since my ministry travel days. I have been in over 23 countries with ministries, but now I was used to upgrades, my food choices, and especially a comfortable bed.

So my first thoughts was for God’s grace to give me a truly humble heart. I am thankful that He answered that first prayer. I truly felt honored to be a part of this unique ministry.

Upon arriving at the church, school, and orphanage I was immediately confronted with why we were there—to teach Biblical stewardship to ministries in this developing country. My mind tried to grasp the wealth of the world, my wealth, their wealth, and God’s wealth as I looked at their simple lives with simple possessions. How could we teach stewardship here, I thought?

During the workshops, discussions, and training, I was once again amazed at the power of God’s Word. We can create seminars and Powerpoint presentations with great impact. But it is the Truth of God’s Word that makes an impact on ministry leadership. To watch their eyes as they grasped the truth of Biblical stewardship is amazing.

Each ministry leader believed in the foundations of stewardship as it was unfolded before them. They began to believe if it was in God’s Word, then it was true and could work with their ministry. Our unity in the Scriptural truths carried much more weight than cultural differences.

Dear Steward,

As we begin to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of INTERNATIONAL STEWARD we both look back at our accomplishments and look forward to our challenges. In 2004 our ministry of encouraging the emerging church to nurture maturing stewards grew at an unbelievable rate. The growth continues in 2005. For the first half of the year we have over 20 workshops scheduled already.

We are truly blessed to be able to see the eyes openning of our brothers and sisters around the world as they understand more fully the grace of giving, and the fullnes that it brings to their journey with God. It is a joy to hear the stories of the steps forward, sometimes giant sometimes small, that our workshop attendees report back to us. Here is a letter that one of our staff recieved recently:

This is Martha, the lady from Embakasi Presbyterian Church, Nairobi. We met at the stewardship seminar at St. Paul's Limuru and I was the "rich coffee business lady" during your demonstration on how to use a conversation guide.

Thank you for coming to teach that particular seminar. It was timely, especially now that the traditional funding of African churches by western missionaries is becoming non-existent. For me being a Presbyterian, I feel that it was on these principles that the Presbyterian church of East Africa was founded. Thank you to the people at International Steward for reminding us of this very important fact.

The Sunday after the seminar, the church elders gave me some time to briefly, but intensely, share highlights of the seminar teachings with the church membership. They too agreed it was such an eye opener.

To prove the usefulness of these teachings, the Sunday after offerings increased from the usual average of 15,000 ksh ($188) to 103,000 ksh ($1288) and subsequent Sundays have seen offerings remain at a minimum of 30,000 ksh ($375). The Glory goes to the Lord who owns everything for we are but just stewards.

The climax of the lesson in fundraising came on the Women's Guild Sunday when a total of 200,000 ksh ($2,500) was offered. Previously on such days about 50,000 ksh ($625) was offered in our church. What can I say, but that we will continue organizing for such lessons in the church and thanking God for people like those in International Steward.

About remaining in touch for the mentoring two-year program, I am greatly interested for these are principles I would want to be involved in teaching both locally in my church and in other places. Please keep in touch about any other seminar you organize or will be teaching in this or other related fields.

This letter speaks volumes and offers a vision of what the message of stewardship can do for all of God's people.

“To God be the glory for what he has done through your ministry… we appreciate your ministry’s willingness to partner with us to equip Christian leaders in Nigeria to become agents of change.”

-Pastor Yakubu Bakfwash
IS workshop graduate, Nairobi, 2003
ECWA Evangel Hospital, Jos, Nigeria