Divine Service by Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider in Nairobi, Kenya

On Sunday 2nd February 2025, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider conducted a divine service in Nairobi, Kenya. The Chief Apostle was accompanied by District Apostle Stephan Poschel (West Germany), the host District Apostle Joseph Opemba Ekhuya (East Africa) and District Apostle Helper Robert Nsamba (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi). All Apostles of East Africa were present. A total of 7,020 attended the divine service which was held at Moi International Sports Centre-Kasarani. The rest of the members followed the divine service at their congregations via K24 Television, East Africa TV and YouTube. Apostle Chrispin Kinyua retired after 36 years of ministry with 33 years as an Apostle. Two Apostles were ordained. Priest Hillary Mutembei Ithalii was ordained to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Apostle Kinyua and Bishop Johnson Kyalo Musumbi was ordained to fill the vacancy that was created by the death of Apostle Jacob Nyamai which occurred in October 2024. The Chief Apostle used a bible word from Romans 6: 22

 “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.”

Chief Apostle helped the congregation in understanding the complex words of Apostle Paul; especially the use of the word slave when we understand ourselves as having been set free. In his introduction, the Chief Apostle explained the characteristics of a slave in the human context:

• A slave is a prisoner and has no freedom
• A slave has to do the will of his master
• A slave works without pay

In Paul’s context as an Israelite, one could be a slave in their own land only under one circumstance; When one was unable to pay back what he owed or received from a fellow Israelite. We were slaves of sin and were under the dominion of the evil one. The Chief Apostle explained that we were once prisoners of the devil, but Jesus Christ came. Through His sacrifice and victory over the evil one, we got the possibility to be delivered from the domination of evil and to come to God. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we received several things:

• Forgiveness and erasing of our sins
• Deliverance from the dominion of the evil one
• Reconciliation with God hence becoming children of God
• Obtaining eternal life and fellowship with Him in His Kingdom.

Looking at what we received, we realize that we cannot pay God for what He has done for us. We owe God what we cannot pay back. Therefore, we have out of gratitude decided to be His slaves. As voluntary slaves of God we do the following:

1. Do the will of God without being forced in order to get into His Kingdom where His will reigns.
2. Obey the commandments of God not out of fear of punishment but because it is the right thing to do.
3. Bring our offerings to God and serve Him in His work. To do this without expecting a salary, without seeking out personal interests, without seeking to be admired by others; but because we love Him.
4. Forgive and do good to our neighbor because we want to be like Christ.

If we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and to transform us, we can do all these things.

A combined choir of Nairobi West and Nairobi East Apostle Areas together with the national orchestra supported the Chief Apostle’s message with soulful performances.