CFC East Africa Rooted in Christ

Missionaries and top leaders of Couples for Christ in East Africa converged for a spirit-filled recollection in Karen, Nairobi last April 17 held at the residence of our beloved Bishop David Kamau, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi and Spiritual Chaplain of Couples for Christ Kenya.

The day was filled with inspiring stories and sharings experiencing the fullness of life in Christ through serving in the community representing the various CFC mission areas and the family ministries.  The day captured how CFC started 15 years ago in the region and now being embraced by our local brethren despite the challenges of the African life. Being a powerful witness to the families around and the privilege of serving with a bigger spiritual family creates the necessary courage to go on and be filled with the love for God.

Bishop Kamau exalted everyone during the Holy Eucharist that as one body binded by the love of Christ, Couples for Christ will not be blown away by the wind, but will stand strong, solid and united as it takes its roots deeper in Christ and pursuing His mission that He has bestowed upon the community.

Additional material was discussed in relation to the latest pastoral letter of Archbishop Sarah, Secretary General of the Pontifical Council for the Evangelization of Peoples, challenging the African Church and movements such as Couples for Christ to intensify its efforts to fight the anti-life forces which is being promoted extensively in Africa. The way to evangelize the family and take care of it is to establish programmes and initiatives that will discuss and talk about pro-life, theology of the body and a clerer role of the co-existence of men and women. It is also essential to equip our lay leaders who are pursuing the families and strengthening of family life to take action and be informed for greater army to protect the African family.

The affair ended in high spirits as our CFC International Missions Coordinator and Regional Head for East and Central Africa, Bro. Clarke Nebrao, rallied everyone to PRAY, GO and GIVE. These 3 disciplines are essentials for all of us to experience the fullness of life in Christ following the footstep of the patron of missions, St. Francis Xavier. This gathering is to spark the preparations for the 15^th anniversary of the African missions of Couples for Christ this coming October 1-3 to be held in Tanzania and at the sametime take an active participation for next year’s 30^th CFC Anniversary.

As Bishop Kamau bestowes his final blessing, he posted a challenge to all of us: “Couples for Christ build your house in Africa.  This will be a solid foundation that will be a manifesto of each African family fully coming home and placing Christ as head of the African Couples for Christ.”