THE RBAK FINAL REPORT ON RECONCILIATION (THIS IS THE ACTUAL REPORT)

ASSOCIATION OF REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCHES OF KENYA

THE FINAL REPORT OF THE RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE PRESENTED  ON 17^TH FEBRUARY 2011 KAMKETO TBC NORTH POKOT

I.                   The first meeting was held at Oyani on 24^th February 2010

 (Ref. Meeting 1 February 2010)

II.                An invitation letter was sent out dated 4^th March 2010 inviting all the parties to the meeting at Nakuru but the eight brethren did not respond or attend.

(Ref: letter dated 4^th March 2010)

III.             The second meeting at Nairobi on 20^th April 2010 was meant to execute plan B because all the parties failed to turn up for the Nakuru meeting.

(Ref: Meeting 2 2010 on April 2010)

IV.              A letter was sent out to all the parties on 16^th May 2010 for the meeting to be held at Kericho on 28^th May 2010. The meeting was held as scheduled but the eight brethren failed to turn up in Kericho and instead responded with a ten-page letter and text messages.

(Ref. Meeting 3 minutes)

V.                 The meeting also chose the sub-committee to compile a draft report regarding the issues and present it to the committee for considerations. These were:

a)    Washington Omondi Gengah                       Chairman

b)    David Ngetich                                                Secretary

c)     Daniel Adunde Ngollo                                  Representative (Ref. 3^rd Meeting 28^th May 2010)

VI.              a)  The sub-committee came up with the draft report that was read out at the Kisumu meeting held in December 8^th 2010 at Kisumu Baptist Seminary.

b) The committee requested the RBAK chairman to write an invitation letter to the eight brethren (Anderson, Bussey, Masunga, Musembi, Ogallo, Oluoch, Otieno, and Pabari), Keith Underhill, GBM, ARBCA and Alfred Place Baptist Church to the Association meeting at Kamketo TBC North Pokot where the two parties would be brought together.

(Ref. 3rd Letter a and b of 8^th December 2010).

VII.            

1)     Time was given to all the parties to prepare

2)     We have sufficient information to make us come to a settled conclusion.

3)     After all the efforts to meet face to face with all the parties, the eight brethren were unwilling to meet with us while on the other hand Underhill always responded to all the invitations.

4)     Regardless of all the Biblical principles taken to solve this conflict, the eight brethren were not willing to meet Keith and the Mediation committee to bring about peace and reconciliation.(Ref. The Eight brethren’s accusatory statement, Keith’s response statement and TBC Nairobi report).

5)     From the evidence presented, Brother Keith confessed and repented before the church (which most of the eight were part of) and the ARBCA led mediation team (Ref. TBC Nairobi report and Keith’s response report).

6)     The problem which caused division among the reformed faith in Kenya was purely between the two elders of TBC Nairobi i.e. Pastors Masunga (now in Injili Bible Church) and Underhill

7)     Premature decisions made by ARBCA and GBM served as a breaking point and precipitated the situation further (Ref. The Eight brethren’s accusatory statement).

8)     Exercise of power, local and international connections, prompted invitation of foreign mediators without involving RBAK, where their church was a member. This was neither Biblical nor procedural as the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith says (Cf. 26:15).

9)     The unwillingness of the eight brethren to meet with us shows that they are not committed to the unity of the body of Christ.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.     There is an urgent need to inform all the sending churches in the West and mission agencies i.e. ARBCA, GBM, UFM etc. to tame their missionaries in Kenya.

2.     The role of missionaries should be well defined by both the sending and receiving churches or mission agencies.

3.     The RBAK only to receive the eight brethren if they would be committed to Biblical reconciliation in love, peace and unity of Christ.

4.     The continuity of the RBAK committee to complete the undone work.

CONCLUSION

1)    The situation is not completely out of hand. But it can be harmonized by dialogue which will eventually create room for repentance and forgiveness and finally give birth to a united Reformed faith movement in Kenya. This can only be achieved if the eight brethren humble their pride and exalt the grace of God in salvation and promote holiness in their hearts and lives.

2)    As a result, we all unanimously support and are fully behind Keith Underhill because he has repented and always ready to meet with the eight brothers face to face.

3)    The RBAK Association members voted unanimously to adopt this report and approved its publication as extensively as possible.

4)    The RBAK Association voted to approve the continuity of the Committee.

The report Prepared and submitted to the RBAK delegates from the member churches and approved on 17^th February 2011.

THE COMMITTEE

1.      Thomas Lokerisa      Kamketo TBC             Chairman RBAK

2.      David Ngetich                        Chebang’ang GBC      Secretary

3.      Daniel Ngollo             Osani TBC                  Member

4.      Fred Lodeki               Oyani TBC                  “

5.      Isaac Kelegwa            Nyamanga TBC          ”

6.      Murungi Igweta         Nairobi TBC               “

7.      *Bernard Kirimi        Miathene TBC                        “

8.      *Charles Abwok        Siaya TBC                   “

Absent with Apology:

Washington O. Gengah

John Muketha