PWANI UNIVERSITY 2015 – SHAKING CAMPUSES FOR CHRIST

The 2015 Retreat came on the backdrop of the Kigali, Rwanda failed Retreat. This was subsequently moved to The University of Dodoma and plans for the same had been on upto the period of September 2015, when the bad news broke, that due to unavoidable circumstances, the planned 2015 Students and Alumni Retreat was not going to be possible to have. Change of Guard at the ECD Youth and Chaplaincy Office as well as at the various Union Conferences were largely some of the reasons that led to this failures.

The Alumni in Kenya stepped up and, teaming up with their Student Counterparts immediately sought the permission of the Youth and Chaplaincy Departments at the Division in order to be allowed to organize a local retreat of the same calibre. This was made possible with the follow-up of our EKUC Chaplain and Youth Directors, who went ahead and assisted in securing requred permission and paperwork. Indeed there was joy that finally the 2015 Retreat was going to be a dream come true, to the delight of the many enthusiasts who had already submited their registration fees for the same.

Planning

Under the Stewardship of Pr. John Macharia, The EKUC Chaplaincy Director, a Steering Committee composed of various stakeholders in Kenya (KUCASA, AACU, ALIVE-K, and ACTIVE) was formed and plans began unfolding. This interim team was going to be instrumental in ensuring that all stakeholder interests including timing, speakers and program were deeply interrogated and initially passed. Subsequent sections of this Report covers the compositions and roles of the various committees that were formed to spearhead the successful organization and execution of the 2015 Retreat.

Attendance

The attendance for the 2015 Pwani University Students and Alumni Retreat was a total of 110 Retreaters, combining both Students and Alumni, together with Facilitators. Day scholars were excluded.
Notably, One delegate from Rwanda, and 4 Members from Native South Sudan were among the attendees. Others from from Kenya who work in the Republic of South Sudan were also present.

Guest Speakers & Message Summary

1. Dr. Jiwan S. Moon – Associate GC Youth Director (Public Campus Ministry)– Was the Main Speaker at the 2015 Pwani University Retreat. His focus was largely on Public Campus Ministry and the desire to convert our University Campuses into centers of Excellence and Evangelism. Both Students and Alumni were encouraged to lift up high Jesus Christ through their daily living in order for Jesus to draw all men to Himself.
2. Benjamin L. Clausen – Geoscience Research Institute Representative – He was an Associate Speaker whose main message was to establish the unique conection between Science and Gods existence. The GRI is sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church with a Mission to discover and share an understanding of nature and its relationship with the Biblical revelation of the creator God.
3. Dr. Fred G. Hardinge – Associate GC Director of Health ( Nutrition and Media). Dr, Hardinge’s topics were predominantly on Health and Healthy living, especially in the wake of many Medical Missionaries and factions of the same, whose messages might apear to confusing. He centered his messages on Jesus Christ being the centre of it all. His famous quote was “Love people, not Health Principles”
4. Pr. Mahlon Juma and Pr. Dan Mmasi – Pastors Juma and Mmasi are seasoned Retreat Pastors. Pr. Juma is the Chaplain for University of Eastern Africa Baraton, while Pr. Mmasi Pastors University of Eldoret, Eldoret Polytechnic and Moi University as Chaplain. Both were instrumental in pointing the Retreaters towards Jesus Christ as the center of every aspect of their daily lives.
5. Jared Okello and Pamella Omollo – These are Alumni who stepped up to plug the holes created by their colleagues who did not turn up. Pam was loved by all by her unique approach at handling relationships and and young couples issues. Students and non-married alumni reaped maximum benefits from her presentations. Jared Okello’s deep understanding and intepretation of Prophecy was an asset to the 2015 Retreat. His presentation centered on Prophetic endtime events and how a Christian should be prepared for this.

Challenges Faced

Speakers’ No-Show – Pr. Dr. Jerusha Muga, and Dr. Nicholas Letting, who were all slated to be Associate Speakers of Morning Devotions and Entrepreneurship respectively, did not show up for the Retreat. Resources in some cases were already committed to facilitate their coming and this was a hge blow to the Planning, seing that we had a strained budget. Reason prevailed and their apologies were accepted albeit at a damage to our plans.

Withdrawal of ACTIVE – This was not much of a challenge, until it threatened to hinder the coming on board of 2 of the initial Guest Speakers. ACTIVE’s withdrawal was never communicated officially togehter with reasons for the same. When they wrote an ill-advised email to 2 of our Guest Speakers from the General Conference (Who themselves had invited) asking them not to turn up for the Retreat, mischief was read ion their intentions. This is not true Christian Spirit.

Late Registrations – These almost brought the Retreat to a halt. Monies were not received in time, especially in the face of pressure from the Service Providers, some of whom demanded upto 50% down-payment before their services could be released, like the host Institution (Pwani University).

Venue Dysfunctions – Poor Lighting, Non-Decorated Puplit and Poor Seating Provisions, Dysfunctional Washrooms and taps. These should have been captured in a contract agreement between the Steering Committee and the Pwani University host Institution.

Achievements

Despite the hitches with late planning and registrations, The Steering Committee agrees that this Retreat was a big Success.
Students and Alumni Togetherness – One of the key achievements that underlined the success of this Retreat was the unique togetherness that existed between the Students and Alumni. Both teams worked together towards the success of the event. Every present official played their part diligently and at the end of the Retreat, we were one big family with new networks created for future good of members.
Spiritual Revival – The Programs were uplifitng and members were blessed from all the sessions. A practical session of door to door literature distribution, and a very active Prayer Band with daily programs of Prayer Sessions were but some of the great Spiritual lessons that members present benefited from.

Recommendations

Committed Commitee Membership – All Proposed Committee Members to be Registered Members who have commited to attend the retreat. This will save the Steering Committe a great deal of hustle where reshuffling of members and temporary unprepared members are asked to join in to assist. A leadership vaccuum whose result is detrimental is the result and this harms effective Retreat Management.

Venue Inspection – A Thorough audit and previst should be done in future and a list of expectations drawn by both sides in a contract. This enables us avoid planning errors like was witnessed where poor lighting, dysfunctional taps and washrooms, Pulpit and Seats, Room Decoration, Projectors and other utility items were all witnessed. This was on the backdrop of having paid full amounts as had been agreed.

Early Submission of Registration – Registration Monies to be submitted atleast 1-week before the Retreat in one Central Account, together with lists of names for each category. This saves the registry the hustle of having to check from the bank statements for names, where others for instance paid for their colleagues. Confusion is avoided especially where little time is allowed for registration.

Stakeholder Unity – All stakeholders to work together harmoniusly for the comon good and success of future retreats. Those not willing to participate to communicate the same through official channels in order to enable smooth planning and arrest cases of attempted sabotage of jointly planned activities.