Sept. Celebrations Newsletter in .pdf format.
From the President
In my first three years at KIST, I have seen my role as positioning this young school,
with a 40-year heritage from the former Kima Theological College, for the future to
which God is calling us. Guess what! The future is here!
This special edition has a different format than the last two in order to better explain the
exciting developments taking place. Thank you for your interest and support in the
KIST vision.
Master Plan
The Master Plan for KIST focuses on development in the following key areas:
Curriculum Development
These national leaders from Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya worked alongside KIST faculty and administration to evaluate and plan the future KIST Extension Program in December 2004. Another "Pilot Course" is planned for December 2005 with the Extension Launch projected for December 2006.
Curriculum development of the 3-year Advanced Diploma is taking place that will allow students to attend 2-week intensive training modules in their own country. The training will be done in cooperation with the COG national assemblies of those countries and managed by KIST BA Grads. The KIST Board of Governors has invited Mr. Johnson Kitetu to join our staff in September 2005 to serve as Director of KIST Extension.
Campus Development
The walls for The Chapel for the Nations are up and the steel roof is being constructed! Four work camps from the States are scheduled in July and August to complete the project. Two generous gifts in April completed the $79,000 goal for construction and raised another $10,000 for furnishings.
The CBH Studio is getting an addition through the efforts of Dr. John Walters and the work camp he brings each year in February.
Funding for a second story on the Men’s Dormitory has been pledged and work camps are being scheduled for that construction in August 2006.
Some funds have already come in for the new Married-Student’s Apartments projected for construction when the funds are raised.
Additional needs include: Adding on to the Administration Office, modernizing the Faculty Apartments and Staff Housing.
Faculty & Staff Development
Nelson Obwoge (left) and Francis Kiboi (right) are both continuing their PhD studies at the Oxford Center for Mission Studies in Oxford, England. Their original research projects focus on key issues related to the spread of gospel in their tribes in Kenya.
Daniel Mdobi has begun his PhD studies in Philosophy and Religion at nearby Maseno University. Rev. Mdobi is the radio broadcast speaker for Christians Broadcasting Hope – Swahili and serves as Campus Pastor.
Obed Okech will start his Masters in Communications at Daystar University in Nairobi this August. As producer of CBH – Swahili, when he finishes his degree, he will serve as the key trainer at KIST/CBH for pastors learning to produce their own program in the local vernacular.
Financial Development
Matt and Elaine Collins along with Eva and Alastor will be arriving at KIST around mid-June. Elaine will serve as Head Librarian and Matt will serve as Director of Finances.
Matt has an MBA degree from the Falls School of Business at Anderson University and will help KIST not only in the management of donor funds, but will also assist President Smith in developing long term financial strategies for the future and stable growth of the school.
Elaine has a Masters in Library Science from Indiana University – Indianapolis campus. She will oversee the development of the library to the next level of growth that also includes computerization and housing the future "Center for Research."
New Additions at KIST
Computers for the Computer Lab
This CBH Work Camp, led by Sarah Trick in February, completely renovated the
Computer Lab. Bruce Catlett, who attended the CBH Work Camp in 2004, obtained and
rebuilt computers donated by a school district in Virginia. Bruce suffered a massive
stroke just before Christmas and was unable to attend this year’s work camp. However,
the Lord has miraculously healed him and he plans to return in 2006! In addition to the
lab, four computers were placed in the library for students to use. Thanks CBH!
Meet Ed and Helen Carpenter
The Carpenters have been approved by Global Missions of the Church of God to
come to KIST for a two year assignment beginning in August 2005. They come
to replace Bill and Bonnie Carll who will be leaving after a faithful and fruitful
15 months at KIST serving as Campus Manager and School Nurse. Ed will be taking over for Bill as Campus Manager and Helen will be serving as the new Administrative Assistant to the KIST Extension Program.
Ed and Helen saw in our last “KIST NEWS” that we were looking for a replacement for the Carlls’ and felt the Lord call them to come to KIST. They come from the Fifth Avenue COG in S. Charleston, WV. Bill is a retired Electrical Engineer and Helen is a retired Administrative Secretary to a former WV State Senator. We welcome them!
Board of Governors Makes New Appointment
New – Academic Dean
Dr. John Ochola has been appointed to serve as Academic Dean beginning August 1st. In January of this year he joined the faculty as Adjunct Professor. He currently is teaching three courses and working with Interim Dean, Jim Harries, in preparation for his new duties.
John is a Kenyan who was converted and trained through the ministry of World Gospel Mission headquartered in Marion, Indiana. He brings to this post a BA in Bible and Theology, MA in Library Science, and PhD in Educational Administration. The latter two degrees were earned at the University of Southern Mississippi. For the last three years he served on faculty at Baylor University and was in charge of Collections in their library.
John is committed to theological training in Africa. His top priority at KIST will be to lead the school to the next level of development – full accreditation with ACTEA and the Kenya Commission for Higher Education. John and his wife, Grace, have four children.
New – Director of KIST Extension and Research Center
Johnson Kitetu has been appointed by the Board of Governors to begin this newly created position the first of September. His task is to help develop and prepare for launch the KIST Extension Program projected to start in December 2006. In addition, he will also develop a “Research Center” that will provide NGO’s (Non-Government Organizations) and Christian organizations with information for their East African projects and produce income for the school.
Johnson worked in Nairobi for Don and Paula Riley, African Regional Coordinators for the Church of God, over the last three years and brings to this assignment a BA – Business, MA – Communications, MA – Leadership Development, and will have his PhD in 2006 in Business Administration (emphasis in Human Resource Management).
Johnson and his wife, Mary, have a son Jay and a new daughter, Mary Joy.
Special Funds Created
KIST Extension Fund
December 2006 is the projected date for launching the KIST Extension Program. The design of this program is to take KIST to the nations of Africa by opening up training sites for the Advanced Diploma in Bible and Theology. Working with our national assembly leaders in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, the plan is to partner with them in developing these sites. These “satellite” extensions will allow pastors and Christian Educators in those countries to obtain quality training at a much-reduced price since the travel and visa requirements will not be required. National Assemblies will be able to choose from their graduates those they wish to send for a BA degree to the main KIST campus in Kima, Kenya. The second “Pilot Course” is scheduled for December of this year.
“The KIST Extension Program has been a part of the vision of this school even back in the days of the former Kima Theological College. Because of the great foundation laid in the first seven years of KIST, now this vision is becoming a reality as the school begins its second decade!” according to President Smith. He further adds, “We believe this is what God has called this school to do and our national assembly leaders have affirmed the need.”
Funds are needed now that will allow this program to continue to develop. Those funds will help provide such things as salary for the Director, funds for his travel to set up these sites, support staff , office equipment, and curriculum development. Donors wishing to be a part of this great move forward may send their funds to Church of God Ministries in Anderson, Indiana as instructed on the last page.
The David and Margaret Lewis KIST Development Fund
In honor of their outstanding support and vital efforts given since the beginning of KIST, the friends and family of Dr. David and Margaret Lewis have established the “KIST Development Fund” in their name. The design of the fund is to provide on-going support for the development of KIST Faculty, Staff, and Administrative Services.
According to President Smith, “KIST would not be where it is today without the visionary and sacrificial work of the Lewis’. They have found funds for training our professors, provided `hands-on’ consulting work for the development of the library, and given tremendous encouragement to the KIST community through their many visits to campus. This fund honors two great servants of the church and dear friends of KIST.”
Their home church, The Church at the Crossing in Indianapolis – one of KIST’s great supporting churches, is administering these funds. Donations may be sent there (see information below).
David has recently undergone surgery and treatment for malignant brain tumors. Please join us in prayer for his healing. David’s testimony is simply, “Whatever happens, I just want God to be glorified.”
Prayer Needs
The Collins & Carpenters – Pray for their safe arrival and “smooth” transition as they move to KIST to assume their new roles.
Rebecca Pierce – Pray for her safe travel in the US while on Home Assignment and her safe return the first of September.
Jim Harries – Pray for his upcoming Home Assignment in England and his continued work on his PhD program.
Bill and Bonnie Carll – Pray for their safe return home to Tionesta, PA after faithful service to KIST for 15 months. They have made a huge impact on campus and will be greatly missed. Thanks Bill and Bonnie!
Four Work Camps – Scheduled for July and August, these groups in four weeks will help complete the work on the chapel. Pray for their safe travel and safe work. The List: Russ & Maxine Jones – The Church at the Crossing; Paul and Rita Jo Yerden – North Hills in Phoenix, Wayne and Paula Roaten – Louisiana group, and Susan Buchheit – Pennsylvania group.
KIST Cash Flow – We rejoice that our special projects are being funded well. However, the North American Grants that provide operational funds have been tight. All bills and salaries are current, but as we head into the summer months it is vital for supporting churches not to miss a month in their contributions. There is need for additional donors who wish to give to this fund as well.
KIST Trivia!
At least 80 people will visit KIST this year in work camps and “eye-witness” tours. Their ages range from 13 to 92. They will come from all over the USA. They will log untold hours of labor valued by eternal standards. They make their contributions in construction, classroom teaching, village worship, medical clinics in the area, maintenance work for the missionaries, cataloguing and inventory in the library. The approximate cost for such an experience is $2500 per person.
Make all checks out
to: Church of God Ministries
Send to: PO Box 2498
Anderson, IN 46018
Earmark your check with the Project Name and Its Number!
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS # 42.40320
CHAPEL PROJECT # 42.40321
RELOCATION OF ANIMALS # 42.40321
MARRIED STUDENT APTS # 42.40321
KIST EXTENSION FUND # 42.40321
KIST GRANTS (undesignated gifts) # 42.40322
Contributions to the David & Margaret Lewis KIST Development Fund, make your check out to Church at the Crossing and earmark your check to that fund.
Send to:
Church at the Crossing
9111 N Haverstick Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46240
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