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LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE AT ACK EMMANUEL RIRUTA AND HOLY COMUNION SERVICE

The Archbishop of Kenya, The _Most Rev'd Dr. Jackson Nasoore Ole Sapit,_ was warmly received at ACK Emmanuel Riruta by The _Rt. Rev'd Canon Charles M. Muturi,_ alongside _Ven. Counsel Fredrick Gacheru_,Ven. Esther Kagicha,_ the Archdeacon of Riruta and the Riruta Archdeaconry Clergy. The service commenced with the Archbishop laying the foundation stone for the new sanctuary. _Ven. Esther Kagicha_ then led the service, where the Archbishop took a moment to pray with the Sunday school children and those preparing for the KPSEA exams.The _Rt. Rev'd Canon Charles M. Muturi,_ officially welcomed the Archbishop and later invited him to share the Homily. The Archbishop's Homily was drawn from Ezekiel 47 and Revelation 22, presenting a powerful narrative of renewal and hope.He began by referencing Ezekiel 47, the vision of Ezekiel during exile. The passage paints a vivid picture of a nation distanced from the presence of God, spiritually barren and dry. Ezekiel’s vision portrays a river flowing from the temple, a river of life that transforms everything it touches.The River of Life: As the waters of this river met the salty, stagnant waters, even the Dead Sea was made fresh. This river symbolizes God's mission to His people—a mission of renewal, healing, and life.The Archbishop then tied this vision to Revelation 22, where the same river appears, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This river, he explained, represents the Spirit of God, moving powerfully through His church and the world. The Archbishop emphasized that as the river grows, so too does the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. Wherever this river flows, life follows—it brings healing to barren lands and restoration to desolate places. He urged the congregation to welcome this overflowing Spirit of God into their lives. _“If the fruits of the Holy Spirit overflow within us, then blessings will overflow as well,”_ he stated. However, the Archbishop also addressed the reality of spiritual barrenness, noting that it has pervaded many aspects of life. He challenged the congregation not to remain Christians in name only but to let the Spirit of the Lord flow through their actions. Wherever this river goes, there is life, and we are called to be part of that river, bringing hope to the hopeless, feeding the hungry, and caring for those who suffer from mental and emotional distress.The Archbishop reminded the church that the mission is not just about completing the sanctuary but about creating a space where everyone can encounter the river of life. This mission, he said, must reach the last person, just as the river in Ezekiel’s vision flowed indiscriminately through the desert, healing every barren place it touched.He concluded this message with a reflection from John 5:24:_"Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life."_The Archbishop urged Christians to share the light they have received, to draw others to the river of healing, and to refresh the lives of those around them. He closed the Homily with a word of prayer, asking for healing for the sick and for those with personal prayer requests, encouraging everyone to allow the river of life to flow within them.After the Homily, Ven. Counsel Fredrick Gacheru assisted in the Holy Communion, where the Archbishop broke the bread and led the congregation in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Among those present were _Rev'd Haron Muratha,_ Director of Mission and KAMA Coordinator, as well as the clergy spouses led by the D.M.U. President, _Mrs. Lucy Muchene._