Several Activities (L): II - ELCK Activities

LUTHER PLAZA DEDICATION
– February 27th 2009: A very important date for the ELCK – The dedication of the LUTHER PLAZA.

– The LUTHER PLAZA is an office complex next to the UHLC and to the Uhuru Park in Nairobi. The ELCK offices – National Headquarters - are now there and the UHLC has her new offices and facilities there too. – The other offices will be rented out to pay the loan and to help the ELCK to carry on her responsibilities as church in the country.

A special loan granted by the Lutheran Church Extension Fund – LCEF made the building of the LUTHER PLAZA possible. (Picture from the back).

The building plans had begun shortly before we came to Kenya…

…and when we arrived in Nairobi/October 2006 there was a big hole beside the Cathedral.

We could follow step by step the several phases of the building.

December 2007: This was the stage of the building from the back, during a Sunday School Rally.

May 2008 – The building was almost finished outside…

– and could be well seen from the roundabout next to the Cathedral.

“The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya has attained a major milestone by putting up the new building” said the General secretary Rev. John Halakhe.

– Bishop Rev. Dr. Walter Obare Omwanza is the head of the ELCK and the main idealizator of that building.

More than 1000 people attended the event and were hosted in tents.

Several choirs performed during the ceremony: Kisumu Luth. Cathedral Choir, The Conquerors, Itierio Lutheran Church Choir, Kumpa Lutheran (Massai) Choir, Nairobi Lutheran Mass Choir.

Heart to Heart Orphans Children Center and several other entities had special boots at the Plaza to show and to offer their products.

– Many pastors and Bishops came to the Dedication Service…

… and took part of the ceremony.

“Nakuru Bethseda Children Acrobatic Group” came too.

The flags from the Mission Partners countries were put side by side to the Kenyan flag: United States of America, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Rev. Thomas Asiago – South West Diocese Bishop; Rev. Richard Amayo – Lake Diocese Bishop; The Most Rev. Dr. Walter Obare – Central Diocese Bishop and ELCK Presiding Bishop; Rev. Dr. Dean Nadasdy – LCMS Vice-President: Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko – LWF General Secretary.

– The band.

The tent reserve to H.E. Hon. Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya and to other honorable guests.

The ELCK representatives and other authorities waiting for the President Kibaki.

The band playing the National Anthem, as follow:

O God of all creation / Bless this our land and nation,
Justice be our shield and defender, / May we dwell in unity,
Peace and liberty/ Plenty be found within our borders.

Let one and all arise/ With hearts both strong and true
Service be our earnest endeavour/ and our homeland of Kenya,
Heritage of splendour/ Firm may we stand to defend.

Let all with one accord/ In common bond united,
Build this our nation together/ and the glory of Kenya,
The fruit of our labor/ Fill every heart with thanksgiving.

– His Excellency the President, Hon. Mwai Kibaki greeting the other authorities.

Vice-Pres. and Minister for Home Affairs, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, E.G.H., M.P., greeting ELCK General secretary Rev. John Halakeh. In the back: Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko, LWF General Secretary.

– Pres. Kibaki, Bishp Obare, Vice-Pres. Kalonzo. In the back (right): Dr. Dean Nadasdy and ELCK Bishops.

Pres. Kibaki unveiling the commemorative plaque.

The plaque.

His Excellency the President, Hon. Mwai Kibaki, C.G.H., M.P. going after the lunch served at the UHLC Hall.

The President’s escort.
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DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA

On March 20th, 2009, at the Matongo Lutheran Theological College, The Presiding Bishop Rev. Dr. Walter Obare received his second honorary doctorate – D.D. – DOCTOR DIVINITATIS. Dr. Jack Preus, from the Concordia University, Irvine, California, USA, brought this honor to Bishop Obare.

The Choirs opened the processional for the ceremony.

Bishop Obare knelled to receive the honor.

This is a recognition of his outstanding Biblical theological position confessed among the churches and in the world. To GOD be the glory! (Pictures by Rhoda Houge – Thank you).