Mission Barnabas

It's Banquet Time!

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:58:20 GMT

Dear Friends,

Besides Thanksgiving, what makes November so special? You guessed it — the Mission Barnabas Annual Banquet!

We’d love for you to join us Tuesday, November 4th at 6:00 PM at the Colleyville Center (5301 Riverwalk Dr., Colleyville, TX) for an evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration. Each year seems to surpass the last, and we believe 2025 will be no exception.

Get Your Tickets HERE!

Once again, we’ll gather around delicious Texas barbecue, reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and even lift our voices in a little Swahili praise. You’ll hear firsthand what God has done — not only across Kenya but now in many other nations — and get a glimpse of what’s ahead for 2026.

When Debbie and I moved to Kenya 22 years ago, we could never have imagined where this vision would take us. The growth and open doors have been astounding. Sharing it all in one evening will be a challenge — but one we’re excited to take on! We believe you’ll leave encouraged, inspired, and ready to keep advancing the Kingdom in Africa.

Tickets: $30 per person
Table Sponsorships: $1,000 for 8 seats

Sponsoring a table also helps us include special guests, volunteers, and visiting Kenyans.

Get Your Tickets HERE!

We can’t wait to see you!

With gratitude,

Ronnie & Debbie

Update from Pastor Chola

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:29:33 GMT

We are so Excited to say that “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy,” just as it says in Psalm 126:3. It has been a challenging season yet very rewarding and fulfilling.

As we reach the midpoint of the year, our hearts overflow with gratitude for the incredible ways God has moved through Clarence Matheny Leadership Training Institute. What began in January with prayer and vision has unfolded into a season of remarkable impact, growth, and fresh opportunities for Kingdom advancement. We have touched so many church leaders, provided thousands of resources to the church, enrolled many more pastors in Bible college, and hosted the largest-ever Chaplains conference in the history of CMM, with 1,700 church leaders. We are stretched but really excited about what the Lord has done. Thank you for praying and supporting the work here in Africa. Here is a bit more detail on where we are so far in the year!

In terms of Church Leaders Impacted

From the first quarter to our most recent gatherings, God has entrusted us with the opportunity to pour into the lives of 3,691 leaders so far this year.

First Quarter: 2,426 leaders trained and equipped
VOSH June Meeting: 417 leaders
Seme June Meeting: 375 leaders
Western Kenya (Kakamega) June Meeting: 473 leaders

Each number represents a pastor, a leader, a Kingdom worker who is better equipped to transform their church and community.

On Training & Recruitment – Preparing the Next Generation

We have welcomed 30 new students into our Bible School this year, and the momentum continues. In the coming month, we have planned to reach 1,500 pastors through our targeted training efforts. Already, we are prayerfully preparing for a powerful August, hosting two large youth camps, each expecting over 600 youth—a significant investment into the leaders of tomorrow.

Resourcing Pastors – Multiplying Kingdom Tools

Our Pastors’ Resource Ministry has experienced a record flow of Bibles, books, and study materials into the hands of church leaders across Kenya. In the first seven months of this year alone, we have distributed 19,766 resources—each one a tool for deeper discipleship and stronger preaching. Yes, almost 20,000 book resources to Pastors! Glory to God.

Highlights from January to July:

January: 3,445 resources (including 1,604 Bibles)
February: 3,080 resources
March: 5,006 resources (including 36 Study Bibles & 14 Commentaries)
April: 2,310 resources
May: 1,982 resources
June: 2,840 resources
July: 1,103 resources

These resources are not just numbers—they are seeds planted in fertile ground, destined to produce an abundant harvest.

Finally, here is what is coming: an incredible next quarter with Count Me In Teens camp expected to have 1,000 teenagers, Fearless camp with 500, youth leaders, Nation2Nation conference with 500 pastors (already fully booked), and our September leadership conference with a Powerful teaching team from Australia and Dr. Murphy Matheny.

We are humbled, encouraged, and deeply thankful. Every prayer, every partnership, and every resource shared is part of the story God is writing through Clarence Matheny Leadership Training Institute. Together, we are raising leaders who will disciple nations, preach the Word with power, and shepherd God’s people with wisdom and love.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” – Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

To God be the glory for the great things He has done—and for the greater things yet to come!

We Love YALL !

Bishop Chola and The CMM team.

A New Lease on Life

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:51:02 GMT

Greetings Mission Barnabas and CMM supporters,

This update comes in two parts: one from me and one from Pastor Chola. So much is happening that it won’t fit in a single email. I get to go first; Pastor Chola’s will follow soon.

Update from Ronnie

We want to share highlights from the ministry in East Africa so far in 2025! But first, a personal note: thank you to everyone who prayed and stood in faith with us during a recent heart issue. After a routine checkup, my doctor ordered three heart tests, which revealed four blockages. On July 23, the cardiologist placed a stent in a main artery that was 100% blocked.

I could tell you several stories of God’s grace through this, but removing that main blockage was a miracle in itself. The cardiologist almost gave up — which would have meant open-heart surgery — but he said, “Suddenly, it gave way.” When I heard “suddenly,” I knew it was because of so many prayers from around the world. God gave the breakthrough through the doctor’s hands.

I truly feel like I’ve been given a new lease on life. They told me I was a “heart attack candidate,” but now I feel better every day. We’ve made big lifestyle changes: no fried or processed foods, maybe ice cream once a year, daily exercise, and managing stress. I’d still appreciate your prayers as I walk this journey.

Because of all this, Debbie and I won’t return to Kenya until January. I’ll miss the September pastors’ conference — my first in 21 years — and the fall Bible College semester. But our incredible CMM staff and team are fully equipped, so ministry won’t miss a beat. I’ll also stay connected virtually and work on projects from here to keep supporting the vision.

Meanwhile, Count Me In is underway at CMM right now, with over 800 teenagers from across Kenya attending. On the first night alone, more than 200 gave their lives to Christ or recommitted to following Him. What an incredible thing to hear while I’m here in the States!

Lastly, mark your calendars for November 4th — the Mission Barnabas Banquet ! The Kenyans will be here, and we have so much good news to share.

With gratitude,
Ronnie & Debbie

2024 End of Year Report

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 17:19:58 GMT

Building Together!!

A big thank you to everyone who has helped us accomplish the vision God has given us in Africa this past year. For those who have prayed for us, visited, encouraged, and supported us, THANK YOU!! Those who give monthly, one-time gifts, or both, THANK YOU!! Those that give toward projects THANK YOU!! If not for all the above, we could not do what we are doing in Africa. We are building the Kingdom of God together.

If you missed our latest update for 2024, you can see it now HERE!

We have made great headway on several of the projects we have shared with you over the past few weeks. We have been able to help a good number of students attend Clarence Matheny Bible College in March. One project that we need help with is shipping the 40 ft. sea container. We are scheduled to load and ship on January 4th at the Wellspring Church warehouse. The shipping cost is $7,600. Please keep this in mind, especially if you are planning year-end giving. If you send a check, please ensure it is postmarked by 12/31. To give online: www.missionbarnabas.us/donate

Last, please note next year’s banquet date is November 4, 2025.

May 2025 be your best year ever, and let’s continue establishing and building God’s Kingdom together!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Ronnie and Debbie

A Year of Increase - the 2024 Annual Banquet

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 19:31:35 GMT

For the past 20 years, I’ve invited everyone to our annual Missions Barnabas banquet by stating that it is time again for our annual banquet. This year, I want to say it loudly with as much excitement as possible: IT’S TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL MISSION BARNABAS BANQUET!!

We're eager for you to experience what has happened, is happening, and is about to happen. We can't wait to share exciting updates and future plans with you!

This has been the first year our new facilities have been 100% open, and we have seen an increase and expansion in all areas. Seeing the explosion in ministry, facilities, and partnerships will overwhelm you. You will be blessed to see how your prayers, encouragement, and support have helped us accomplish amazing things! We are also beaming to tell you about the future plans that await us in 2025.

Get Your Tickets HERE!

We had to change the regular week and date for this year due to the Presidential Election and availability of the Colleyville Center. So this year’s banquet will be Thursday, November 14 at 6:00 PM (doors open).

This year’s menu is from Spring Creek Barbeque, ending with their famous cobbler for dessert.

We will be blessed again by several of our Kenyan staff and team.

Also, for those attending the banquet, Carroll and Myrna Sprenger will have a table there for anyone who would like to donate books, musical instruments, laptops, computers, unlocked phones, pictures, etc. to be shipped to Kenya in December.

Please mark your calendars as well as purchase your tickets ; $30.00 per person or sponsor a table for your family, friends, or guests.

See you in a month! Come hungry; bring a friend, some books, and your checkbook or credit card!

Ronnie and Debbie Matheny

Get Your Tickets HERE!

A Happening March

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:36:24 GMT

March was a very happening month at CMM. It started with a Leadership Conference with 420+ pastors and leaders, with 50% of these leaders being their first time to come to CMM. On top of that, we had leaders from 6 different nations (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Congo, and South Sudan. Uganda and South Sudan were represented by large numbers in their delegations. We gave brand new Strong’s Concordances to 174 first-time senior leaders. Watch their appreciation for this blessing in this video . In addition, we gave a total of 3,132 books away.

Many thanks to an awesome group of conference speakers who brought heaven down, and SO many lives were touched, changed, encouraged, and empowered. Our staff spent 1-2 hours in a debrief after the conference just reading testimonies. We rejoiced, laughed, cried, and celebrated what God had done in so many lives! We were so blessed by Dr. Murphy Matheny, Dr.Brick Cliff, Pastor Dustin Aguilar, Hunter Howe, and Kathy Barton, in addition to our own Bishop Joel Chola and Evg. John Magangi as well as the CMM Praise and Worship Team.

We were already pumped before the conference started as ‘Count Me In’ had just finished a 2-day outreach in a very poor area of the city, and 4-5,000 youth attended. The group from Wellspring Church literally just arrived from their flight into Kenya and went straight to the outreach. Several thousand youth were saved, renewed their commitment, returned to the Lord, and many lined up for prayer to be set free from drug addiction.

On top of this, on the last day of the conference, we had the graduation of our first Clarence Matheny Bible College class, 37 in total. What a dream come true for so many of us. Over 300 guests, family, and friends from all over Kenya joined all the pastors for this glorious event. Each graduate was awarded a small library of books, and it was a day to remember. To my shock and surprise, I was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the college. I’m still blown away and so honored.

I want to also give a great word of appreciation to my brother Murphy who spent 6 weeks in Feb/March teaching in the college, doing ‘Tea with the Chairman’ as well as Chapel. He also spoke in churches and other conferences held at CMM while here. I listened to his message after he returned to his church, and I was so blessed. It was/is an awesome message for the church. I am attaching the link and I would encourage you to listen. (Message starts at 49:09). https://cedarlakeonline.org/media/ppjj4rc/easter-at-cedar-lake

Debbie and I have just returned to Texas. Between jet lag, cataract surgeries, and Mexican restaurants we are taking some rest and working on things this side of the ocean to continue to see the vision fulfilled and the dreams realized.

Thank you for all you do: the prayers, encouragement, and support.

Ronnie and Debbie

Ps. Mark Your Calendars!~ This year’s banquet is set for Thursday, November 14th, 2024

Year End Report

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 14:25:42 GMT

The past 6 weeks have been a whirlwind, starting with our annual banquet, and then traveling with 10 Kenyans to several churches and groups in Texas and Mississippi. The Kenyans turned every place we visited upside down. We had powerful services as we shared the 2023 update and the songs they sang, brought the house down everywhere.

During this season, we were believing God for an outpouring of support for several major projects: buying concordances, shipping a sea container, buying needed items for CMM, scholarship funds for students waiting for help, travel expenses, and finishing paying for several projects that arose from opening. So far in this fund-raising season, we/you have bought 1,004 concordances, paid for finishing immediate projects, bought kitchen utensils, musical instruments, and funds for some scholarship help, and we load and ship the next sea container on Dec. 28th (if you live in the Metroplex we will load from 7am-1:00pm…snacks, lunch and a heavenly award provided).

This response comes a couple of months after funds were given to buy our transformer and build a small building to house it as well as purchasing a 20ft. container equipped and customized into men's and women’s public toilets that CMM desperately needed. In this season of Thanksgiving, our hearts are full of thanks for each of you and your heart for Africa, CMM, and the part you play in enlarging this vision.

From Debbie and I and all of our CMM team, we wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Let’s all buckle up for a great 2024 and as always, may the Lord enlarge the borders of your tent!

Ronnie and Debbie

PS…If you have been contemplating where you might do some year-end giving…we have the place. We are still hoping for more funding to scholarship several more students for the Bible college (25 waiting for help), extra funds to bless our staff during this season as well as purchase a commercial dryer before the next rainy season.

If God prompts you to help, CLICK HERE .

Or mail us at:

Mission Barnabas
PO Box 820734
N.Richland Hills, TX. 76182

2023 Banquet ~ It's Time!

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 19:33:21 GMT

Greetings Friends and Family,

It’s that time of the year again, celebrating at the Mission Barnabas Banquet! Please mark your calendar now for Tuesday evening, Nov. 7th. We are returning to the Colleyville Center, and have lowered the cost to $30.00 a person. LaHacienda Ranch will cater a delicious meal. mb2023.eventbrite.com

It promises to be an exciting time of celebration now that CMM 2.0 is open and dedicated. What a celebration this will be. We have 10 Kenyans from our staff and team that will be at this year’s banquet. There will be inspiring praise, singing, testimonies and video updates of what has happened in 2023, the year of launching our new facilities, conferences, and Bible college.

We also offer a table sponsorship for $1000.00 and if you can’t fill it with family or friends, we will help you fill it with Kenyans and guests.

The ticket purchase deadline is Nov.1 so get your tickets now at: mb2023.eventbrite.com

Debbie and I are SO excited to see each of you and to share and show what your support and investment in the ministry in Africa has accomplished. I promise you that you will leave rejoicing with us at not only what the Lord has done this year but what 2024 looks like as well!

See you on Nov. 7 th!

Ronnie and Debbie

mb2023.eventbrite.com

Exhilarating, Exciting, Empowered, Exhausted!

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:20:48 GMT

We have just finished five conferences at CMM over the past three weeks. Three of these

were our conferences: 2 “Count Me In” (youth and college) and our Leadership

Conference (pastors and church leaders). In total, we have accommodated 2,135

delegates. We are definitely up and running. Here are some of the highlights as the

ministry explodes:

During the youth camps (ages 13-19), several hundred received Christ, and many recommitted their lives to Christ.
During the college-age camp (ages 20-30), powerful services and serious renewals of God’s purpose and calling on hundreds, many of them youth leaders
During the pastor’s and leader’s conference, powerful teaching on “Knowing Your Purpose and Discovering Your Destiny.” There are so many powerful testimonies from the pastors.
We gave away hundreds of books, plus facilitated a fantastic workshop to give out concordances and teach them how to use them. One of those in the seminar had recently been saved and had been a professor at a Muslim university.
We also had 110 first-time delegates to attend a CMM conference.

In other news, by God's grace, we received the funds needed (over $25,000.00) to purchase our own transformer, have it installed by the power company, and build housing for it. It should be installed any day now; even though we were told several weeks ago when we paid, that it would be installed quickly, we are still waiting. However, on Sunday, the power company came out and drilled a hole for one of the poles needed and left many parts to be used in hooking up our transformer. We are hoping this is done before Jesus returns. (Those who have helped us with this unexpected and quite large sum needed, Asante Sana!)

There is so much to share with all that has been happening since we opened. So many miracles, blessings, and ministry explosion, along with God helping us through many challenging and stressful situations.

You do not want to miss this year’s banquet on November 7th. Please mark your calendar, as this will be another celebration of what God has and is doing. Several Kenyans from our staff and team will be attending this year! We have a couple of projects we believe God will provide quickly. The next rainy season is in October, and we have one place that must have gutters and one area where we need a retaining wall. Both projects are $1,500.00 each.

If God prompts you to help, just CLICK HERE.

Or Mal us at:

Mission Barnabas

PO Box 820734

N.Richland Hills, TX. 76182

Enjoy some of the pictures taken over the last few weeks.

Blessings,

Ronnie and Debbie

“Debbie, have we paid our pledge?”

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 20:15:39 GMT

Last November many of us made pledges to help scholarship some of the Bible college students who might need help. Our first term started in February and the second semester was completed in June and the 3 rd is this September. Our first class we had 40 students, 54 in June and we are expecting another group of first timers in September as word is spreading and there is so much excitement. We are expecting to reach 100 by Feb. 2024 semester.

Debbie and I made a pledge and have it in our budget to pay. If you made a pledge, this could be a great blessing to help some of the students for the September class.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH a video report about the college so far in 2023.

Blessings,

Ronnie

PS…if you did not make a pledge or did not know about this challenge, if God directs this would be a great investment: $300.00 supports a pastor for 1 semester full scholarship or 2 pastors partial scholarships.

Mail: Mission Barnabas Int. POB 820734 N. Richland Hill, Tx. 76182

Donate Online: www.missionbarnabas.us/donate

Mark your calendar: Mission Barnabas banquet….Nov. 7

a Historic Event at CMM

Tue, 23 May 2023 14:33:14 GMT

Ten days after the first conference at our new facility, we were chosen by Great Africa Harvest to accommodate hundreds of pastors from every nation in Africa and every county in Kenya for an international conference held in Nairobi. We started preparations for this group the day after our conference ended and basically worked around the clock to be ready.

The organizations involved in this evangelistic endeavor bought tickets for key leaders from all 53 nations on the continent for a 4-day conference. CMM provided accommodations (bed and breakfast) for 640 pastors and leaders for 5 days. We believe this was historic as, from our investigation, this is the first meeting ever to bring pastors from all nations together for one meeting, and CMM hosted all the international guests and Kenya county leaders. We were overwhelmed as we met great men and women of God from so many nations. I must share what happened on the last 2 nights of their stay with us.

We have been sending containers with resources to Kenya even during the 5 years we have not been able to have conferences. We had hundreds of concordances on hand and felt it would be a blessing to give a concordance to all these leaders. On Wednesday night, after they returned from their conference, we gave them information about CMM and the Bible College and THEN gave all 640 of them a concordance (each concordance stamped with CMM contact information). On the following evening, I gave them a crash course on how to use it. So, get this, we have now given a concordance to leaders in EVERY nation in Africa!! What a glorious and fun time as I shook hands with pastors from Nigeria, Togo, Algeria, Ghana, Congo, Ethiopia, and many others, some I could not pronounce. It also looks like we will be having students come to the college from other nations in Africa as well. We signed concordances (so many requested that Debbie jumped in and helped sign them), did an interview, answered questions, and received invitations to travel to other nations and teach pastors. God is enlarging the borders of the CMM tent, and we (Ronnie) must now go and learn how to pronounce every African country. Enjoy the video of all nations in the new CMM auditorium waving and shouting thanks for their brand-new Strong’s Concordances!

We Are Back! CMM Dedication Day!

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 18:46:44 GMT

What a glorious day, March 15, Dedication Day for CMM 2.0. The excitement, joy, and anticipation were ‘off the charts.’ After over 5 years of no conferences, when we gave the first shout of triumph, I thought the roof started to lift. With 500 pastors and leaders, an awesome worship team, many local guests, guests from the States, 80 workers, and our staff and team, 700+ celebrated this momentous occasion with such thanksgiving and praise for what the Lord has done.

We will attempt with words, pictures, and videos to share and capture how exciting the dedication was. From the ribbon cutting to the first shout of triumph, the first praise song, to recognizing those that helped us to reach this historic moment to the dedication message, such joy filled the auditorium. Then we had the dedication prayer, the unveiling of the official opening plaque, the cutting of the cake, and the dedication offering while many of the Matheny family sang, “It’s Worth it All.”

It is almost impossible for me to describe in words the emotions, the joy, and the glory of the Lord that filled the building along with so many smiling faces, high fives, hugs, and dancing. The rejoicing, the recognition of God’s Hand, and His blessings that made all of this possible were almost tangible, along with recognizing and appreciating so many that helped us reach this goal.

One scripture that was mentioned when reading the testimonies from the pastors was: Psalms 118:23…”This is the Lord’s doing, and it’s marvelous in our eyes!”

The dedication of CMM was held in the middle of our first leadership conference at CMM 2.0. The new dormitory (Clarence House, 3 stories, 110 rooms, 660 beds) was filled with many new beds, each room self-contained, spacious with beautiful drapes. Our new large kitchen and main dining (inside seats 350 with the same space on the portico) are spacious and first class. Even though the auditorium is not finished, it is usable and immense (seating over 1,000) with a bookstore, green room, sound booth, large stage and many toilets, and a beautiful entrance and foyer. The Jewell House (28 rooms) was a jewel for our visiting guests from the US, with its own kitchen and dining with spectacular views of the surroundings. The Administration building (2 stories) welcomes everyone with a beautiful entrance and reception and houses our offices, the library (16,000+ books), the computer lab with many classrooms, and meeting halls. It also houses a room, Memory Lane, documenting the history and miracles of where we have been and where we are today.

As I watched hundreds of pastors ascend upon our new buildings, all of a sudden, activity was everywhere, and crowd noise of fellowship, pastors with suitcases checking in to the Clarence House and then walking the grounds taking it all in, I realized we are now open, and CMM is back! I can’t describe all the different emotions, memories, difficulties, miracles, and the joy and peace of the Lord’s blessings that have led to the rebuilding and replacing of what God had started many years ago when Debbie and I were called to come alongside my mother and help her enlarge the vision. It is marvelous in our eyes.

We celebrated this event with each of you in our minds and hearts and knowing you were with us in spirit as you are one of the main reasons this day happened. Enjoy what God has done through all of us!

Over the next few weeks, we will share stories within this story of such wonderful and powerful happenings that will show so much of how God has used our new facilities and how bright the future is for how God will use CMM, not only in East Africa, as the borders of our tent are enlarging!

Banquet Tickets on Sale Now!

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 13:49:15 GMT

Greetings Friends and Family,

I have been anxiously waiting for the day to arrive to invite everyone to this year’s banquet. We have not posted the latest progress or developments in the construction of the new CMM so we can do a ‘big reveal’. Trust me when I say you will be blessed, excited, and amazed at the progress. Joel and Pauline Chola will also be attending again this year, and it is always wonderful to hear from them. You must plan to come and rejoice and celebrate as you have been on this journey with us for several years.

This year’s banquet will be at the same venue as last year’s:

The Bowden

1775 Keller Parkway, Keller, Texas

Tuesday, November 1st, at 6PM.

The cost is $40.00 per ticket.

If you would like to sponsor a table for 10 guests, the cost is $1,000.00. These sponsorships are vital to making the banquet such a wonderful event, enabling us to make it so special.

Why not stop now and go ahead and get your ticket or sponsor a table? CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Last, please plan to invite other friends to be your guest so they can witness the miracles of this journey.

Can’t wait…can’t wait…can’t wait to November 1st…see all of you there!!

Blessings,

Ronnie Matheny

Chairman, Mission Barnabas

The evening will include a pre-meal experience, a chef-prepared dinner and a special presentation from the Mission Barnabas Team. Doors open at 6:00pm.

Please note: There will be no RSVP or walk up tickets available for this evening. You must purchase tickets online by October 20th in order to attend, with limited seats available. Children are welcome, but must have a purchased ticket.

Dress is Business Casual.

The New CMM has Launched with it's first meeting!

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 13:10:25 GMT

After a 5 year journey, we've just completed our first ever meeting at the new CMM - you have to see it to believe it! CLICK TO WATCH

Back to Kenya

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 17:54:30 GMT

Greetings from Kenya! Debbie and I have been back in Kenya for 4 weeks and we hit the ground running. We can’t tell you how wonderful it was to walk into our new home, unpack one time, sleep in our own bed, turn on the coffee pot and just look out the windows to such peaceful and beautiful surroundings. We are surrounded by wonderful neighbors in our Lakeview Estates community. What a joy and blessing. It is so wonderful to have our team just “across the street” as since our arrival we have been in non-stop meetings and decision making and shopping. With everyone and the CMM offices only a short walk away, things have been so much easier and convenient. We are blessed.

Kenya Presidential Elections

Kenya held its Presidential elections on Aug. 9th and the winner was announced 7 days later after all the votes were tabulated. The losing party felt that the election was stolen and have taken their case to the Supreme Court. Within 14-21 days arguments will be heard and then the court will rule. For the most part the nation has remained calm and is back to normal while the petition is being heard. Please continue to believe with us and pray that once a decision is made that peace will continue to prevail.

Construction Updates and Event Dates

We want to update you on the progress and plans as they stand now for the next few months and into 2023. We were hoping to dedicate our new facilities during a conference in September. However, our contractor recently informed us that due to several reasons our auditorium will not be available for meetings until December. The rest of the various buildings will be completed by the middle of September and some in early November. We will be able to host smaller meetings this fall but not be able to have a large conference until the auditorium is completed. So we have moved the dedication of the new facilities to March 13-17, 2023. We will launch our first semester of the Bible college at the end of January-February. We will conduct our second semester in June and the 3rd semester in September. We are also planning a marriage conference the first week of July and another leadership conference in the first week of September. Today we met with our staff for several hours and it was so much fun to start planning conferences again!

Also, mark your calendar for our MB banquet Nov. 1 at the Bowden in Keller, Tx.

Container.

Another great testimony and blessing are how things went with our latest container arriving in Kenya, then on to customs and then finally to CMM. I wrote all about it and posted it on Facebook. If you missed it, I have copied it below. It is a must read. Enjoy!

So grateful for each of you and your support. We are so close to seeing the dream come true!

Ronnie and Debbie

Container Story

After sending containers over the past 19 years this last one was not only one of the most challenging but also the one with the most miracles and favor!

For those helping us send this last container in June are familiar with the challenges to get it loaded and shipped. After delays, shipping date changes, no truck drivers available, and extreme heat, it left Texas. However, this container arrived on time to Mombasa then in record time to Nairobi. It arrived the day before the Presidential election which meant many businesses, schools, etc. closing for possible chaos aftermath. Our wonderful clearing agent, Beverly Maina, started the customs and inspection clearing on Thursday. This container was the highest valued container we have sent and in most cases they find items to add additional charges after we have already paid standard custom rates. This one could have lit up the “extra charges” lights but after a short inspection they released the container with NO additional fees! This is for sure a blessing.

After the container left the port headed to CMM, the truck driver took a wrong turn in the town near CMM and got trapped in the open market with so many people and traffic that he could not maneuver. He had to stop and wait but he stopped on an incline. He was leaving the truck to find a mechanic as his brake system wasn’t functioning properly. After he got out of the truck it started to roll backwards (30+ tons) toward the market filled with people, open air shops, etc. By the Grace of God, the truck turned slightly and smashed into a car and the driver running after it was able to prevent more damage. The police came and “arrested the truck” and towed it to the local police station…approx. $200,000+ value of goods…where it had to stay overnight. The sea container traveled over 12,000 miles via water, land,by rail, by truck and then was arrested 3 miles from CMM!

Since starting construction at CMM, our team had gone to the local police station to introduce ourselves and who we are. That led to us meeting the senior overseeing officer and started a good connection and relationship. That led to Sam Karanja and Joel Chola Mnjala even having the senior officer’s cell number. So after the container was towed to the station Sam called the officer who made sure all was well with the contents and it would be safe. He said the truck was arrested but not the contents and we were free to come the next morning and remove them! Another blessing as sometimes things aren’t safe at some police stations. We all had to release this situation to God so we could get some sleep in order to be ready for the next day.

Sam organized for about 10 guys to come to help us unload the container at the police station, load it into rented trucks, take it to CMM and offload again. Around 10:00pm all the container goods were at CMM with nothing left, stolen or impounded and without a forklift, pallet jack or a nearby McDonalds.

What a journey with this container that contains thousands of blessings for the pastors, CMM and many others that are not even aware yet!

To God be the glory!!

A Pastor Needs a Bed

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:24:12 GMT

Due to several challenges and issues beyond our control, we have changed the dates for our dedication and Bible College launch. CMM will host a 2-day leadership conference Sept. 27-28th. We will have the dedication service of our new facilities on the 28th. On Sept. 29-30 we will host a 2-day Bible College orientation and application process. All prospective students will be able to register and meet the necessary requirements by the government in pursuing ministry education. The students will be given materials for preparation for the first semester courses (28 days) and the College will be launched Feb. 2023.

We will host our first 5-day conference in early March 2023 which will include our Grand Opening!! Exciting days ahead!!

We are on schedule for construction to be completed in late August or early September with a couple of weeks to spare if needed. The Jewell House, kitchen/dining are roofed, and the interior finish is being done now. The dormitory’s top floor is being walled now and both floors of the Admin building are being walled and the roof finished. The foundation for the auditorium is being poured with walling to begin soon.

Last fall we challenged our supporters to help us purchase a complete bed set up for our new dormitory. We have 300+ beds in storage from our old dormitory but our new facility will sleep over 600. A complete bed set includes the bed, mattress, sheets, pillow and blanket costing $300.00. Several have furnished a room for $1200.00 which includes a plague on the door honoring the sponsor of the room. Those that pledged to purchase a bed or room last fall, the pledge was/is due by May as we are in the process of ordering the beds. If you pledged but haven’t paid yet, a pastor is waiting on you☺. If this is your first time to hear about this challenge, please feel free to bless many future pastors with a bed. Donate online: missionbarnabas.us/donate or by mail: MB POB 820734 N.Richland Hills, Tx. 76182. We have almost reached our goal of 300 beds and believe we shall over the next few weeks.

In Other News:

We will be loading the next 40 ft. sea container on June 17th and can use all the help we can get. Loading with books (19,000+), sound equipment, mowers, computers, tables, etc. Arrives in Kenya late August.
Debbie and I return to Kenya on June 24th and will be there until October. We have waited for this upcoming trip and all that will happen while gone for a long, long time.
CMM is hosting a Leadership Summit in Nairobi on July 13th to keep the tradition of meeting before each Presidential election to bring leaders together to pray for the nation and strengthen unity. We are expecting hundreds of pastors to join us for this powerful event.
Please begin to pray for peaceful presidential elections, August 9th.
If you are interested in or planning to travel to Kenya for any of our events, please contact us for the latest requirements and information you will need for a successful trip.

Once again, thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers. The day we all have dreamed of for so long is almost here!

Going to cooler temperatures…will not miss the Texas summer heat,

Ronnie and Debbie

Beds, Beds, BEDS!!

Fri, 06 May 2022 17:29:36 GMT

Last November we asked our MB supporters and friends to help us purchase beds for the new dormitory. The new dormitory will sleep 660 but we only had about 350 beds in storage. Many of you committed to purchasing a bed(s) and many committed to furnishing 1 room (4 beds). For those furnishing a room, a plaque will be placed on the room acknowledging such.

To purchase 1 bed (bed, mattress, sheets, pillow/case, blanket) is $300.00 ($1200.00 to furnish a room). Some paid their commitment on the spot or have sent it and thank you so much. However, we informed everyone that pledged that the money would be needed in May as we would need to place the order by then. May is here and this is a reminder to those that pledged.

Of course, if you are just now hearing about this, it is not too late to get in on this deal! We challenged everyone to help us buy 300 beds and as of today we need only 60 beds to reach our goal.

To make your purchase you can go online to: missionbarnabas.us/donate or you can pay by mail: Mission Barnabas, POB 820734, N.Richland Hills, Tx. 76182.

See below a very recent photo of the dormitory as the floor for the top floor is being poured now!

On behalf of many, many pastors and leaders that will sleep in these beds over the years to come, “Asante Sana!!” Thank you! “May the Lord enlarge the borders of your tent.”

Ronnie and Debbie Matheny

PS….watch this space in the next few days for some important information!!

Video Update: CMM Construction Report

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:00:15 GMT

Join Ronnie for a video tour of the "new" CMM. Construction is already over halfway complete and this video showcases the amazing progress happening at CMM!

From Our New Home in Kenya

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 15:26:40 GMT

We have been waiting for the day when we could write an update from our new home and from CMM 2.0. That day is today!! After 4 weeks of moving in, cleaning so many things that have been in storage for 3 years, working with the contractor for the issues of a new home, and arranging a litany of details we now have a beautiful residence that is “off the charts”. We are so blessed, humbled, comfortable, safe and surrounded by beauty and peace. We are blessed with good neighbors as well. The Cholas are now moved in, Jane is moved in, the Karanja’s are living in the quad plex while their home is being finished and the baby has arrived. We have named the residence area, ‘Lakeview Estates’! (We may start an HOA with me as President and Debbie VP☺.)

All the other construction is coming along so great and fast. The foundational pillars for the dormitory were poured this past week, the second floor of the admin building is going up, the Jewel House will soon have the roof on, and the main dining roof is being done now. Even the soccer field has been sprigged. All is progressing and we are on track for our September dates for the first conference, the dedication, and the launching of the Bible School.

Our staff just finished 2 weeks of intense training in preparation to obtain the accreditation required for the college. These are the first sessions of several to come along with a mountain of paperwork needed in regards to IT, media and online capabilities. The connections that God has arranged for us in this project are powerful and the timing for this endeavor for all of East Africa has us just shaking our heads at how God plans and arranges situations years before. Wait until you hear the details of what is happening and what is yet to come!

So much of what has happened has been because of many of you reading this. The prayers, support, encouragement and standing with us along with your response from the banquet in November and from our travels has been overwhelming. Those who attended the banquet made it our best banquet ever. Those who could not attend also played a part in helping us reach our goals for 2022. Those churches and groups we traveled to responded over and beyond.

One of our goals for 2022 for Mission Barnabas is to purchase beds (bed, mattress, sheets, blanket). We have approximately 350 beds in storage but will need another 300 for the new dormitory. To supply one unit is $300.00. So far, the funds, either given or pledged, will purchase 220 units! We have only 80 beds left to purchase. The funds will be needed by May 1st. If you would like a room named after you or someone of your choice (if you purchase 4 units = $1,200.00) just tell us the name and a beautiful plaque will be placed on the room. At the moment, approximately 50 rooms have been donated! Don’t miss out on this deal….a living legacy for you and your family and many pastors and leaders will be blessed and sleep well as God is encouraging them and moving them to the next level. You can email Debbie ( dwmatheny@missionbarnabas.us ) or me ( rcmatheny@missionbarnabas.us ) and let us know how many beds/room(s) you will provide. If funding a room, we will contact you in May for the name(s) you desire on the plaque.

Also, if you have not liked ‘Mission Barnabas Backers’ on FB, make sure and join the page as some of the updates for the building progress will be there as well as more photos from this update.

We believe for us and for you that 2022 will be much better than 2021 and that you will see the fulfillment of the vision God has given you for your life, ministry, marriage, family, etc.

Ronnie and Debbie

The Mission Barnabas Banquet 2021

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:43:19 GMT

The Mission Barnabas Banquet 2021: Breaking New Ground

Greetings Friends and Family,

I am inviting you to this year’s Mission Barnabas banquet while I am sitting at a desk in a hotel room in Karen, Kenya after just having seen the progress for our new facility. I am overwhelmed, excited, happy, and so impressed with how quickly things are now happening. You DO NOT want to miss this banquet as you will see the latest developments and hear testimonies, reports, and miracles of this part of our journey.

For many years many of you have contributed and invested in this vision and have been with us on this journey since the beginning and you will see at this banquet what that investment is presently producing. Just wait until you see the latest! We are refraining from putting any pictures or videos on social media until after the banquet. You will want to be a part of the shouts, ooohs and aahs during the presentation.

The banquet will be held at The Bowden, 1775 Keller Parkway, in Keller, Texas on Tuesday, November 2 starting at 6:00PM. This venue is new and a fabulous place for this celebration banquet. The setting, the banquet hall, the patio overlooking the water, the pass around apps before everything kicks off will all make for a wonderful evening. To top it off, Joel and Pauline Chola will be at this banquet with also a very special guest if their schedule allows.

We have had to plan all this around the season we are in now with Covid, protocols, etc. which is no easy task. We decided to plan for the in-person banquet as we believe that things will have improved by then and any needed protocols will be in place. Due to Covid changes, it will not be a buffet meal, but plated. What shall be plated you ask? Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Shrimp Brochette, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, Southern Pear Salad and Chocolate Cake for dessert along with tea and coffee. You will discover what the pass arounds are upon arrival. You will not be disappointed.

The cost per ticket is $30.00. We also offer table sponsorships for $1,000.00 and ask you to invite friends to come with you to hear about MB or just to provide tickets to other friends. Because of social distancing The Bowden will be only seating 8 to each table. There will also be special perks for table sponsors that will be sent to you.

You can get your tickets at Eventbrite HERE.

We cannot wait to see you all and share an up-to-date vision for the property under construction and our calendar of events for next year.

Blessings,

Ronnie Matheny

Chairman, Mission Barnabas

5 Amazing Days

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 19:38:17 GMT

5 Amazing Days!

Debbie and I have just returned from 5 weeks in Kenya. It was a whirlwind but also a very successful and blessed trip. Here are the highlights:

Groundbreaking Ceremony

A few days after arriving our team had organized the official groundbreaking ceremony. From the moment we drove on to the property such a spirit of celebration fell on all of us. We had approximately 300 attendees from pastors, bankers, lawyers, key church leaders, the contractor, architects, and local officials. We sang, danced, shared stories, broke ground with the first shovels of soil, ran a backhoe to dig the first hole and watched the first load of stones delivered. This one event was worth the travel there. We are still in the afterglow of such a service.

Construction full steam ahead

During our visit we received all the needed permits to build! We were able after many hours with architects and the contractor to finalize the remaining details of the buildings, excavations, site plan, house plans, etc. We finished the day before we departed and construction is underway. The pavilion that was at CMM has already been resurrected on CMM 2.0 and will function as our maintenance facility. We placed 5 containers on slabs and put the pavilion on them and now we have the storage and maintenance area completed. The foundations for the houses are underway as well as excavations.

Timelines….Projected!

We were also able to determine with the contractor the possible timelines. If all goes according to plan: All the houses will be ready for us to move into by this Christmas; All buildings finished by July 2022; Possible dedication dates will be the first or second week of September 2022; and the Bible College launched October 2022. We will continue to update the progress and projected schedule as we proceed.

Ministry to pastors….

During these 5 weeks we held 4 regional meetings in 4 areas around Kenya. In addition, the attendance at these meetings was so encouraging. We had approximately 150-200 at each meeting and after we shared about the Bible college opening next year, 70% of those at each meeting signed up to receive the information/application to attend!! The anointing in these meetings and response from the pastors confirmed that we have not lost any momentum with the pastors during this season of changes for CMM.

This and That…..

Mission Barnabas Backers….we will be updating everyone regularly with pictures and reports between now and completion of construction. In addition to our MB Facebook page, we have created a FB group page to keep everyone informed. If you have not become a part of this group, please join as we do not want you to miss any exciting development. Just locate the group and request to join and follow the excitement. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mbbackers/

Mission Barnabas annual banquet….November 2, 2021….please mark your calendars today for this celebration event that many of you have made possible! Our new banquet venue is in Keller at THE BOWDEN.

As I state often, if it were not for you, we could not do what we are doing in Kenya. What is about to happen over the next 1-2 years is going to cause a ministry explosion, not only in Kenya but East Africa and beyond and we all get to be a part of it. There is much more to share of what God is doing and will attempt to keep everyone informed!

Riding the waves of God’s blessings and goodness,

Ronnie and Debbie

The Suez Canal

Thu, 13 May 2021 12:20:31 GMT

The Suez Canal, a cyclone, $11,000.00 miracle, KRA inspection….Journey of the Blessed Container:

In February we loaded and shipped a 40 ft. sea container to Kenya. We sent over 15,000 books, Bibles, study materials, etc. for the pastors. In the container was over 110 computers, 80 laptops, printers, projectors, building equipment (paint machines, ladders, table saw, radial saw), household items for our new home, and so much more. Now that it has cleared customs in Nairobi and been offloaded in our leased storage facility, we believe that after all the issues in the journey from one warehouse to the other, it has been blessed by God and destined to be a blessing to many.

First, it was one of the containers caught in the Suez Canal debacle and delayed its journey for nearly 2 weeks. Then the day it arrived at the port of Mombasa, so did a rare cyclone. All the ships had to move away from the port or drop more anchors and lines.

Once it arrived at the port in Nairobi for clearing, after paying $5,000.00 in duty, custom and VAT (fairly normal for this large of shipment), the final step is for the container to be unloaded at the port and customs officials go through it and determine if there should be additional “uplift” charges. Usually, this amounts to a few hundred dollars or so. However, the evaluation official wanted to charge us for something that has never happened to our last 18 containers. He charged us $1.39 per kilo weight of all the books! We had over 8,000 kgs which calculated to over $11,000.00.

Our clearing agent, Beverly Maina, has cleared all our containers and loves what we do for the pastors. She began to plead with the officer that these books are donated, for pastors and he just couldn’t charge that amount. He argued his case and Beverly told me she just started to cry as she was so upset. She said she had no more tears. At that moment the official waived the WHOLE amount and then gave her permission to exit the yard with the container.

The next day, while our team was offloading all the resources, several KRA (Kenya Revenue Authority) showed up to check it out. Someone must have alerted them that a 40 ft. container was being unloaded. We believe they are cracking down and looking for organizations that bring in goods that are “donated” and then they sell them.

Pauline Chola saw them and took them to the office to talk with Pastor Chola. Pastor Chola explained to them what we do, what the resources are for, took them inside the church and once they saw the big cross, they knew this was legitimate and kindly left and all was clear (this has never happened to us before either).

Can’t wait until we give out these books and resources as they are certainly favored by God to build the Kingdom of God. To all those that donated items, helped us load, unload, gave funds to ship, prayed for favor: May God enlarge the borders of your tent!

Ronnie and Debbie

Generosity Unplugged

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 13:07:41 GMT

It has been a year since CMM was paid and we could begin the next phase of rebuilding. As you are acutely aware things have moved slowly in finding property, purchasing, closing and now getting all the permits so we can actually start. We are almost there and should have our ground -breaking very soon (America soon, not Kenya soon☺).

During this “down time” during the rebuilding phase, we have kept our connection and ministry to the pastors even though we do not yet have a facility for them to come to. We have had several regional meetings around Kenya and a special retreat for our coordinators. In addition to these meetings, we have been able to bless many of the pastors and churches in other ways that reaped great fruit.

I challenged us last March to help the CMM coordinators with financial help due to their churches being closed. We called it “Christmas in April”. That Christmas extended to May, June, July, August, September and October. You gave over $27,000.00 to keep food on the table for these pastors and their families. Due to your additional generosity, we helped 2 pastors buy cars that will increase their ministry substantially. We have helped pastors with medical bills. One community and church in Uganda, hard hit due to the pandemic, has been receiving significant ongoing monthly help since April. The pastor is constantly sending pictures of those receiving food as well as recorded testimonies from some of them. We have helped one church give out many food baskets to the neighbors in their area that are in desperate need.

Recently on top of the extra giving that you have done to help so many during hardships, I challenged you to help us buy at least 500 Strong’s Concordances as we have access to free shipping on a container headed to Kenya in May. To make a long victory short, you responded, and I am about to order 1,278! That’s right…you heard right…1,278! Another $8,000.00. Then on top of that, a MB donor wanted to make sure that all the funds given for concordances went only to buy a concordance, so they are paying for the shipping cost to have them shipped to Wellspring Church…another $1,500.00!

Much of what I have shared about these blessings many of you already have known. I have re-stated mainly this one purpose: Debbie and I are overwhelmed with gratefulness, thanksgiving and joy for how you have stood with us and are helping us carry this vision. We are humbled b y your generosity and your trust in what God is doing through us, our team and your help. You have taken ownership of this vision that God birthed almost 20 years ago and you have been so faithful month after month and year after year. Even this past year with so many challenges for so many and with an uncertain economic future ahead, your responses to give above and beyond is overwhelming. So, from as deeply as we can feel and express those feelings: THANK YOU….ASANTE SANA…SELAH…BLESSINGS!! May the Lord enlarge the borders of your tent!!

Ronnie and Debbie

A New Season Begins in Kenya

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 15:34:47 GMT

Greetings Mission Barnabas friends and supporters! Here are the latest updates and ministry reports along with a special request from MB and CMM. We believe by 2022 the ministry in Kenya will expand and be multiplied greater than what we have ever imagined. This year’s theme is ‘preparation’ as we work to have all the infrastructure in place as the ministry grows. This includes over 110,000 sq. ft. of brand new buildings, 4 homes on site, quadplex for interns and visitors, maintenance facility, garden, and more. This effort will fuel an explosion in conferences, marriage seminars, launching the Bible college, hosting groups and increasing requests for regional meetings. Our dream is unfolding right before our eyes.

Progress report on rebuilding CMM:

Architectural plans, site plan, topography map are done
Contractor secured and ready to start once permits are given
Change of User (zoning) is approved/completed (several weeks process)
Property has been Amalgamated from 2 piece into 1 plot
Building permit (most challenging)…invoice issued for permit last week, paid and should be forthcoming soon (several weeks process)
Electric poles moved and placed in proper arrangement on property

Note: After building permit is given then 2 more permits, which are a formality, are the last two permits needed before construction begins. This whole process is moving slowly from our perspective but, all things considered, we are getting it done quickly from the Kenyan perspective. We anticipate that actual construction will begin by April.

Another container on the way:

40 ft. sea container shipped loaded/shipped Jan. 27th! Over 16,000 Bibles and books, over 110 computers, 70 laptops, printers, tv’s, equipment for painting, household items, etc. Arrives in Kenya April 24th!

Ministry to pastors in demand:

2 Regional meetings in Eastern Kenya last week! Our team conducted 2 meetings in 2 different towns in Eastern Kenya last week. One meeting had 177 pastors and 70 at the second town. We were able to hand out books to all the pastors. So much excitement and anticipation for the future of CMM. CLICK HERE to watch the 14 second video.

A little help please:

A missionary from our area here in Texas is shipping a sea container to Kenya in April/May. They have room for us to send several pallets of books to help them use the space they have left. We want to send over concordances in advance of next year’s conferences and Bible college launching. This is a great opportunity for us to spend only the cost of the concordances to be able to bless the pastors. We would like to send over a minimum of 500 with 1,000 in our sights. These cost $15.00 each. Would you consider purchasing 1, 5, 10, 100, or more? We will need to give a total box number for the shipping manifest by March 1. We have started a drive to raise these funds and at the moment we can have the funds for 160! You can send a check to: Mission Barnabas, POB 820734, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 76182 or donate online: missionbarnabas.us/donate .

Thank you in advance for your help. #taxrefunds #stimulus #veryworthycause.

Our Schedule:

As soon as the construction has started, Debbie and I will be returning to Kenya for several weeks, then back again just before we can move into our home (hopefully end of August). We will be there several more weeks to move into and get settled in our new home, host regional meetings, and oversee the construction. Then we’ll head back to Texas along with several Kenyans for an “off the charts” banquet in November.

We thank each of you so much for all your support and encouragement and we can’t wait until many of you can join us in Kenya in the near future to witness the miracles God has done and the blessings He has bestowed.

Ronnie and Debbie Matheny

Walking Under an Open Heaven

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 15:49:16 GMT

Debbie and I are now back in Texas! We were so blessed and saw God’s favor in all we set our hands to do. So many wonderful events, breakthroughs, direction and open doors. We have felt like we are walking under an open heaven. From our work permit being given the day we arrived for the next 3 years, (sometimes this takes months to obtain), to the Trust for CMLTI being granted one week later, (done without bribes), to being given the Title Deed to our new property one week before we returned, we have been walking on air. Once our breakthrough happened for the release of the funds, it seems that favor and blessing has preceded each new challenge; finding the right property, securing ownership/title of the property before the 90-day deadline, finding the right contractor to build the new CMM and favor with the building and lands officials in the county that will be our new home. A “new” car (the past few years we have used the CMM van as our personal car…like driving a bus) was waiting for us at the airport and our new home should be ready for us to move into in June.

Where things stand at the moment

Before returning the States, a major blessing occurred; God brought the right contractor into our path! After much searching and research, the contractor we are contracting for all the building, will begin in December. His timetable for the construction is that the wall, the facility building, and the homes will be completed by the end of May, first of June. All other buildings will be in progress as well with completion of all buildings by the end of 2021! We also finished with the architect in finalizing the details so he can finish all drawings, designs, etc. which should be completed within a few days. We have finished the site plan and location of each building, home, garden, etc.

The next act of development is having a “change of user” done on the property from agriculture to religious institution. The county official in charge of heading this up is walking the property this week and doing all the due diligence to submit to the committee in their December meeting. Once it is approved, then there is no looking back. We anticipate that by the first week of January excavation, clearing some tea bushes, starting the wall, etc. shall begin.

Completion and Dedication dates

The contractor estimates he will be finished at the end of 2021 with all work and building. We will begin to rent to groups as soon as the dormitory and dining is completed. We expect that our first conference will be in March 2022 and to open the Bible College at the same time. We would then plan to have our dedication in the summer of 2022.

Back in court

Before Covid hit, we were to have our next date in court against the crooks this past March. However, the courts were closed, and our next hearing is set for December 9th. Once we win in this court, $1.39M will be released to us. However, we set our budget for rebuilding CMM with the funds already received and in the bank. Once this suit is settled and we then have the additional funds in the bank, then we can upgrade and add some equipment, etc. that we desire and will need. We are asking that you would once again add this to your prayer list that God’s favor will once again fall on us and our team during this challenge.

Did you enjoy the virtual banquet?

So many things are so different in this Covid season, notwithstanding being unable to meet for our annual MB banquet. Well almost. Through the miracle of modern technology, along with those that know how to use it (thanks Five Stone Creative and Destiny Chapel tech team), we had a great evening. Producing much of the content from Kenya and then mix in content from others here in the States, was no small feat and turned out to be incredible. Thanks to everyone that was involved in making this a great event and for all that joined us for this. We had close to 500 views!

Giving

If you regularly give and/or pledge funds each year at the banquet, please consider donating again this year as those funds along with funds given between now and the year’s end provide for the projects and needs for the first half of 2021; i.e. shipping container, buying concordances, regional meetings, travel, etc. You can donate online: https://www.missionbarnabas.us/donate or by mail: Mission Barnabas POB 820734 N. Richland Hills, Tx. 76182. I trust that even though we did not meet in person that it will not limit your donations and giving.

Happy Holidays and Asante Sana

I trust each of you will enjoy a great holiday season even though it is still 2020. I wanted to say thank you to each one of you for your prayers, encouragement and support for us and Mission Barnabas and CMM throughout this year. However, not only for 2020 but especially for the 3-year season we have been in with all the changes with the ministry in Kenya. This year has been a breakthrough year for Mission Barnabas and CMM and you have been a part of this journey and part of the victories as well. May God so reward and multiply His blessings to each of you that have sacrificed and walked this journey with us. The best is yet to come, and we are looking forward to a remarkable future ahead as we continue in what God has put before us.

Blessings and be sure to check out our new and improved website,

Ronnie and Debbie

Can We Do It In 45 Minutes?

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 12:51:12 GMT

We will not let the challenges of 2020 deter us from having an exciting “banquet” this year! So much has happened and 2020 has been our year of breakthrough in regard to our ministry in Kenya and we cannot be put off in sharing with all of you.

Due to challenges of attempting to have our in-person banquet, we have decided to do it virtually. We have also changed the date as well. We shall have a virtual banquet on Thursday, October 29th, 7:00pm.

Even though we will not be meeting in person, this virtual banquet will be something you will not want to miss. Debbie and I are returning to Kenya October 6 and we will be doing the banquet, along with Pastor Chola and our CMM team, live from Kenya!! Our CMM Praise and Worship Team will kick it off along with our special host for the evening. We will be sharing the joy of our newfound property, the progress, the building plans, the timeline, ongoing ministry to the pastors, new developments for continued ministry and all that is in progress on this remarkable journey.

At the end of the presentation you will be given an opportunity to win a round trip airline ticket to Kenya in order to attend the dedication of our new facilities. Everyone will have a chance at 2 consolation “prizes” as well.

Mark your calendar now for October 29 and let others know. We will give you more details as we are closer to this exciting event. As they say in Kenya, “This will be off the charts”!!

What a WILD Ride!

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 13:39:00 GMT

I trust each of you are healthy, safe and blessed. With all that is going on in the world and in the US, challenges are present everywhere and in almost everything. Everyone has been readjusting, making changes and adapting to the new “normal” for this season. We also know that life must go on and we keep our eyes on the bigger picture: God is in control; God’s got this; the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof and greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world!

With all that is going on globally at the moment, I want to bring everyone up to date with the ministry in Kenya and Mission Barnabas’s response and activities during this season.

Forever Grateful

Many times, over the past 3-4 months our staff has given thanks and recognized what a timely and powerful blessing that CMM was paid when we were. Right after we received payment the pandemic hit, and Kenya went into lockdown/curfews and the courts were closed. If we had not been paid, then the postponement of payment until the courts reopened would have been a crisis for CMM that could have permanently changed our status. But thanks be to God!!!!

In the Meantime

After settling all current bills and expenses owed by CMM and money in the bank, taking the next step was now possible. However, with businesses closed, lockdown implemented and no going in or out of Nairobi city limits, everything was halted. Churches were not able to meet and still cannot meet. Doing regional meetings were and still are not possible. Even if we could find a way to fly to Kenya, we would have to go into 14 days of quarantine. However, we have discovered ways to adapt to these new challenges and in some ways reshape the vision for this season and maybe longer.

WhatsApp and Zoom

We already have a WhatsApp group for the CMM coordinators but decided to branch out and work on connecting them by Zoom. This is challenging for many of them and many had never done this. The cost for airtime, though small, would be challenging as well. After experimenting with how to make it work with a smaller group, we then went to work on bringing over 60 pastors together for Zoom meetings. After working through a few glitches, we had success. We have had 2 Zoom meetings, 1 ½ hours each and the pastors are ecstatic and so encouraged with this. These are pastors from all over Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Once they got connected and saw our team and the other pastors, it was like a revival meeting. We have made these meetings a regular event each month and we speak into the current events, share an exhortation with them, hear from their areas, pray together, etc. This has been quite groundbreaking for the pastors and they can’t wait for the next meeting.

Developing a CMLTI app

We are in the process of developing a CMM app for the pastors. This will be a state-of-the-art app for providing all kinds of helpful, up to date information as well as ways to stay connected. All of the digital CMM library and study tools will be readily available. We are hoping to launch it by summer’s end.

Online teaching

We are setting up a “studio” and adding equipment to produce good quality video and live streaming to do ongoing teaching for the pastors. These teachings will be done by several of our team in Kenya as well as me and guest teachers from the U.S. who will teach, preach and minister on a set day and time to be accessed by the pastors. If a pastor is not able to join by live stream the teaching will be available to download.

What’s an iPod?

Over the next year we will be collecting and purchasing iPods so that we can download messages and teachings on it for the pastors. It will hold hours of teachings and once they have listened to them all, they come by the CMM offices to have it reloaded. This will meet the need of those that are challenged with online/internet (costs, speed, etc.) and they will not need to use data to be able to receive help.

Finding the right property in the right location

Before Debbie and I left Kenya and after looking at many, many possible properties for the new CMM, we had narrowed our search down to 4 properties. Since there is now limited movement and access to business, we have decided to start the offer process on these 4 believing God to help us with His choice for us. As usual it mainly comes down to price and location. Over the next 2 weeks we should know the status and possibility of each of these. Please add this to your prayer list.

This and that

Once again, know how much we appreciate each of you and your heart for Africa! Stay safe, Covid free!

Ronnie and Debbie

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It’s Not All Bad News!

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 16:13:00 GMT

There is so much to report on all that has been happening with us, in Kenya, and around the globe. I tried to write one update that would address both of these issues and it turned into a book. So, I am doing 2 updates, the first of which you are reading now. I will follow up with a second update within a couple of days. (Disclaimer: These updates may be a little longer than normal but most of us have more time to read these days)

The first update is all that has been happening in Kenya since receiving our compensation. I don’t have one word to sum it up so pick one: overwhelming; off the charts; miraculous; magnificent; celebration; joyful; explosive; extreme excitement; extreme expectation; walking under an open heaven, to name a few.

After Debbie and I arrived back in Kenya and the money came, we gathered all of our staff, current staff, and those that we had released, back to the property that used to be CMM. We put a small tent near the train tracks where the pavilion had stood and had a “memorial” service. We praised and worshipped, various ones shared stories and testimonies that stood out to them and we enjoyed being together. Each of them had been promised a bonus after we were paid (promised over 1 ½ yrs. ago) and that morning we had deposited their bonuses in their bank accounts. At the meeting we thanked them again for their years of ministry at CMM and then shared with them that the money was in their accounts. Talk about a “Christmas morning!” Wow, it was so exciting to witness the joy and love at how blessed they were.

Everyone Paid
Our next actions were to settle with all the vendors that we owed that have been so gracious in only asking for bare minimums over the past 2 years. These were critical services provided by lawyers, evaluators, auditors, storage, etc. Everyone we owed has been paid! What a wonderful feeling.

Finding our New Property
From there it was on to finding a piece of property for our new home. We looked at several properties as well as reviving the first property we had originally tried to purchase. In doing all of our due diligence, several issues of making a purchase needed to be addressed of which we were in the process. Then came Covid-19. That put a halt on moving with any speed at the moment as no one will even ride in a car together at the moment to visit property as Kenya is being locked down.

What a Great Time for Debbie and Me
During our time in Kenya we were so blessed by being together with our staff when we found out the money was actually in the bank. We were there in person to give bonuses and to personally give our thanks and appreciation to a wonderful staff and many years of relationship and service. We met with bankers and financial experts in getting all the financial affairs in order for proceeding towards the next phase. We looked at various cars so to have in mind what we will purchase when we are back in Kenya and have a home.

The trip home
One of the most challenging times this time in Kenya was our trip home. Just before we were to depart, the first corona virus cases in Kenya were announced. Also, 2 days before departing we saw what was happening at DFW airport with thousands of people standing in the customs line for 6-8 hours. We realized that airplanes and airports weren’t the best places to be with so many people from virus infected areas in close spaces. Debbie also was challenged as she had re-injured a torn tendon in her ankle and had to wear a boot cast when doing any standing, extended walking, or any steps. Crowds are challenging plus infected crowds add to the concerns. However, what we thought might cause her a huge challenge to deal with the travel back home became a blessing. In the Nairobi airport lounge, we were the second ones to board due to her cast. Then when we arrived at Heathrow, it was a ghost town. Staying 6 ft. apart was easy. I had upgraded us on the flight home and when we arrived in DFW they were only allowing 10 people at a time to deplane (the pilot had announced that the wait in customs was 2 hours). We were in the second group, PTL. I was able to secure Debbie a wheelchair to be waiting for us in DFW and as soon as we stepped on to the sky bridge a lady with our wheelchair greeted us. Due to Debbie being in a wheelchair they escorted us a different route. After the CDC interviewed us, we were then taken by elevator down to customs. But it was a different area of customs than we had ever been in. In fact, we were on the opposite side of the crowd of people. We zipped (ok, wheeled) through customs and from the time we landed until we were in Karen’s car with all our luggage…wait for it…..18 minutes!! Many of you were praying for us during this time and God heard and answered your prayers.

Since we had been in Kenya, we were not able to do any shopping or loading up on extra food, toilet paper (still not sure why this became such a hot item), etc. However, when we arrived home and opened our freezer, it was so full we could not put one more item in it, including, thank you Travis, Bluebell Homemade Vanilla! (Travis, I just finished it). Our family, along with several friends and neighbors had shopped and brought by basically everything that was needed. I can’t tell you how blessed we felt and how blessed we are. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We had a return ticket for Kenya in May of which we have had to cancel. We are not sure when we will return but the next visit should be just as exciting or greater as we move into the next phase of rebuilding.

It is difficult to explain how blessed we are and how loved we feel. I will expand on this on this in the next update, but community is one of keys to living victoriously during a crisis.

Coming Soon

Update #2….”This too shall pass”

Ronnie and Debbie

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The Money is in The Bank!

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 22:51:00 GMT

7 Days of Heaven

It is so great to be back in Kenya, being with our Kenya family and with so many of the pastors. The last 7 days have been heavenly.

Marriage Conference
Last Tuesday-Thursday noon we had 59 couples in attendance in Rift Valley for an exciting week teaching on marriage. Many of the couples were younger and they were all in every session and workshop. Several had traveled 20 miles to attend. We witnessed so many couples have joy return to their marriage as well as healing.

A New Era
Thursday afternoon we traveled to Kitale in Western Kenya for a 1-day regional meeting. At first we had planned for 300-350 but as the response grew, we rented a hall that seats 500 but then had to move outside into a large garden area under shaded trees as we had 730 pastors and leaders in attendance! What a special day for me and Debbie as this is the town that in 1966 while my father was visiting Kenya on a mission’s trip God spoke to him to bring his family back. Our family moved to Kitale 52 years ago and it is where it all started. On the way there, February 20, is when we received confirmation that the wire transfer for our payment was being prepared. While I was preaching on Friday, the confirmation came that the payment had been sent. The video is the response when we shared with the pastors. (Still wanting to see the money in our account but these were all good signs). Someone on our team felt that God was starting a new era with CMM that day. Since it all started in Kitale and we happen to be in Kitale when the ministry receives confirmation that we have been paid for the old facilities and funds coming to double our facilities and move to next level of the vision was quiet a moment for us. 02/20/2020…double, double and 20/20 Vision!

CMM Offices
Sunday I spoke at Destiny Chapel and then we got a tour of the temporary CMM offices and where all our things are stored. They had the “chairman’s office” all ready for me and it felt so special. We carry on while we rebuild.

Then came Monday!!!!
Pastor Chola stopped by our bank to check the CMM bank account. He asked for our balance. When the teller looked at the computer, he was startled and then began to count the digits to make sure he was reading it right. He had first written our current balance before checking for any deposits. Our current balance was $47.50. He then looked at any deposits and looked startled. AGAIN, he counted how many digits in the deposit to make sure he had it right. Pastor Chola watched him count 9 digits!!!!! Our compensation funds were in our account and available!! From that moment on that day became a blur….shouting, crying, laughing, shaking, hugging, more laughing and shouting, more hugging and ice cream!

What a Ride
Pastor Chola, John Magangi, Sam and I had to leave that afternoon for a 4-hour trip to eastern Kenya for another regional. That trip in our van was one of the greatest rides in Kenya yet. We planned, recalled experiences along the way, more laughing, made phone calls, at times someone just shouted…it was awesome.

Eastern Kenya
The next day we had 200 pastors in Kitui and it was another wonderful day with the pastors and doing what God called us here to do. When I finally got the mic away from Pastor Chola and John, I preached for 2 ½ hours (this is Kenya not America).

So very grateful!

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CMM Funding Update

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 20:36:00 GMT

Our day in court to receive our ruling has been delayed. For the past 2 weeks the judge over our case, has been called to sit on a national duty matter as he is a member of the High Court and highly respected. As a result, all his cases have been delayed. His court will reopen this Monday, February 3rd and all cases that he has ruled on will have their rulings read on a day yet to be determined. That day should be within 2 weeks and hopefully we will be informed of that date after court reopens Monday. We were not excited to have another delay but from other information we have seen about these proceedings, this delay is legitimate and the way this is being handled encourages us that this is near a resolution that we believe is very positive for us. We believe this battle has been won in prayer and we will continue to praise God for its completion as we are not discouraged! God still has this !!

Back to Kenya!

Debbie and I depart on February 11th to return to Kenya for 2 ½ weeks. Our tickets are changeable as we believe our funding will happen therefore, we will stay longer. There is so much on ready to start our next season of rebuilding and we are ready get going. We are organizing 2 large regional meetings, one in western Kenya and one in eastern Kenya and ministering for 2 ½ days in a marriage seminar together with Crossing Boundaries Ministries. We are so excited about this and can’t wait to return. We ask for extra prayers for our travel that we will go and come virus free and that the latest plague of locusts (Biblical proportion) will not swarm near our meetings.

We could not and would not be able to survive the season we are in without each of you, your prayers, encouragement, support and giving. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts! We believe that the ministry in Kenya will double in 2020…double, double!

Ronnie and Debbie

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2020 Kicks Off and There is Much to do!

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:16:00 GMT

First Things First

I want to wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2020! My prayer for you is the 9 verses of the 20th chapter of Psalms, especially verse 4: “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Let’s claim the entire chapter for 2020!

We have been and are praying for the judge (Justice ChaCha Mwita) who is in the process of writing his ruling on our pending award of the funds for the taking of the property of CMM. From our last meeting in court concerning this, we strongly feel and believe that the ruling will be in our favor and no more delays. However, we are not leaving anything to chance and are asking you to help us push this across the finish line. Will you pray for and call out the name of the judge before the Lord as many times as you remember between now and January 31st? We believe these days right now are so important as writing this ruling is a big deal and takes time and we believe these are the days to ask God to anoint Judge Mwita and give CMM favor and to act with speed.

And the books keep coming!

Over the past few weeks we have been so blessed and amazed as so many books, computers and resources for the pastors are flowing in. These are coming from Africa as well as the States. Here are a few of the blessings:

+ A ministry in Kenya called us and told us they were needing to find a place to give several thousand theological and religius books that they had in their ministry. They delivered approximately 3500 great books, some classics, all boxed up to our storage facility!

+ Then Theological Famine Relief contacted us to see if we would like copies of a new book they were making available. I asked for 1,000 and they agreed. However, the recipient pays shipping unless you can pick them up. There are 4 locations around the globe and one of them just happens to be about 15 minutes from our storage facility. They have been picked up and ready for our next pastor’s meetings…no cost!

+ I was just recently informed by Wellspring Church that 17 boxes of brand-new Strong’s Concordances had been delivered to the warehouse. After we researched, we found out that these were given to CMM by a secret Santa!

+ A ministry in the DFW area delivered to the warehouse several pallets of study materials (all brand new) for the pastors and for Count Me In.

+ We also have the most CPU units, monitors, laptops and projectors we have ever had for one shipment!

+ We have enough resources in Texas at the moment to fill a sea container. I don’t believe God would give us so many resources unless He is preparing the place for them in Kenya!

3 Regional Meetings next month

We have shared that the vision in Kenya is to move forward whether we get our funds sooner or later. We are taking a step of faith and have planned 2 regional meetings in 2 parts of the country and our team will be assisting in a 2 day marriage seminar as well. We are expecting hundreds of pastors and leaders in the 2 regionals and many couples in the marriage seminar. Pastors have been calling and literally begging us to come. I have been planning to go over by myself for 2-3 weeks to do these meetings along with other business, but we have had confirmation that Debbie should go as well. We are both so excited to get back in the middle of ministry there, do what we are called to do and enjoy our family there. If the funds are released while we are there, then we will extend our trip as there are many projects sitting on ready for us to start and make decisions on. At present we will be in Kenya Feb. 11-28.

Continue to watch this channel for wonderful updates! We believe that 2020 will be a great year of fulfilled expectations and expanded opportunities!

Ronnie and Debbie

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Happy Holidays!

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 18:19:00 GMT

We can’t begin to express how grateful we are for each of you and your love, encouragement and support. We would not be where we are today in this season and challenges without all of you. I trust and pray that during these holidays when we are giving thanks and enjoying all the many blessings and memories during this season, that each of you enjoy such wonderful and blessed holidays. We love and appreciate each of you and may we all enter 2020 with much hope, strength and renewed faith and passion for God’s work and plans for our lives and families! May God bless your health, finances, family, relationships and all you set your hand to do!

Where does CMM, MB and Ronnie and Debbie go from here?

After another setback and having our hopes of being paid quickly dashed, all the questions and challenges of what’s next reappeared: how do we proceed? will there be enough funds to sustain us as we wait? will more changes with staff be required? can we still do regionals and conferences, etc.?

After conferencing with our team after the long day and happenings in court, we learned it is customary for judges to take a several week period to write a ruling, especially if it is a very complex one with this amount of money being released. Also, the courts are closed between now and the middle of January. Another aspect of the delay was that the judge was not familiar with our case as he just learned of it that day. Even though pages of documents had been submitted weeks before to the court, they wait until the hearing before they look at the case. Since our compensation for taking land is the largest amount in the history of Kenya, everyone moves very slowly to make sure it is correct and valid. Being Americans and working through a different culture and systems is extremely difficult but we believe God’s grace is sufficient. This will end at some point and we shall be victorious even if it didn’t happen the way and in the time we thought. God still has this!

We also were encouraged that during the hearing the judge asked 3 times to all the lawyers, “whose money is this?” and confirming with the lawyer that had objections that the amount due CMM excluding the amount in dispute was the amount that belonged to CMM. The lawyer did acknowledge that that amount belonged to CMM. This coupled with a previous High Court ruling for our payment, we believe it is inevitable that the Jan. 31 ruling will be in our favor.

After catching our breath after such an emotional event, nothing from our previous plans and expectations have changed but only been setback by 2 months. We still have Plan A and Plan B and both of them will keep the vision alive even if we return to the way Mom did it before there was a CMM. We have developed an army of leaders in East Africa and the last 2 regionals meeting in the last 2 months have shown that CMM is alive and well and any momentum lost will be regained instantly.

So, we proceed, payment or no payment. We will stay with the last word we were given and at this point it has not changed. We will be having a regional meeting in December and then again in February and beyond. We will pay the staff until we can’t. We will gather pastors across Kenya for meetings, give away books and materials and encourage, equip and empower leaders.

Wonderful Banquet!

Once again, we enjoyed such a wonderful banquet as we shared and updated everyone as to what all has been happening and what lies ahead. Having Joel and Pauline Chola along with so many pastors, our board members, friends and family made it a special evening. Special thanks to those that sponsored a table and all those who worked to make it such a great evening. Debbie and I left that evening with an overwhelming sense of being so loved and such a swell of support for what we have been walking through this past year. We left so encouraged.

2020 Mission Barnabas banquet: November 10th

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!
Ronnie and Debbie

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The Banquet

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 15:31:00 GMT

Greetings Friends,

I’m very excited about this year’s Mission Barnabas banquet. I would describe my overall take on the happenings in Kenya the past 2 weeks as, ‘Breakthrough is happening, cautiously optimistic for the timing’.

Last week we reached a settlement with the lawyer challenging our evaluation and the details are being finalized now. The evaluation challenge will be dropped and once everything finalized, we should be paid in November! We are so encouraged about recent developments that we will begin the celebrations on Nov. 5th.

We have an awesome report to share with you of so MUCH that God has done in this journey. If you would like to hear a few miracles, see the results of all your prayers, see what 2020 will bring and to help us sing a little louder and dance a little longer, then this is your invitation to join us on November 5th at the Aristide (formerly Piazza in The Village) in Colleyville, Texas. We can’t wait to see you, shake your hand and hug your neck for all the encouragement and support you have given to us. Will you join us?

The celebration will start at 6:30PM! You can get your tickets by CLICKING HERE for only $25.00.

We also encourage those who will be inviting several guests to sponsor a table. Table sponsorship for 10 people is $1,000.00. If you sponsor a table but will have a seat or 2 empty, then we could use those for other invited guests.

As usual, the food will be over the top, the program off the charts and Joel and Pauline Chola will be there as well.

So, mark your calendars now, start inviting family and friends, put on your dancing shoes and bring a balloon. See you soon. Can’t wait.

Renewing the Passion,

Ronnie and Debbie

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The Vision Lives – Regardless!

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 17:12:00 GMT

Greetings to all of the Mission Barnabas/CMM friends and supporters. You are all aware of the intensity and challenges ongoing with CMM receiving its due compensation for our property. We continue to see victories and God continues to provide for us in the waiting. It is like riding a roller coaster, but our peace comes from keeping the vision before us as well as such encouragement and support from you. I want to summarize the state of things for us and CMM.

The battle rages but we will not waver….

We have not wavered from what we truly believe will be a victorious outcome for the ministry in Africa. We will not be denied! Several truths and blessings from God have time and time again renewed our faith and confirmed our direction. Here are several that has kept us strong:

God ‘s got this! We believe God started this journey. We did not choose to move ourselves. We did not choose this battle, but God shall fight for us. We did not put our property up for sale and had no intentions of moving. We believe that God started this and He will finish it.

The Vision has not changed. CMM is not buildings and land but it is the vision and mission to help touch the leaders of the church. It is “touching the leaders so they can change the church and touching the church so it can change the nation”! We have built an incredible network of leaders and connections with thousands upon thousands of pastors throughout East Africa. They consider CMM to be their Bible school, their training center, their place for encouragement, a place to connect with other leaders and look to the CMM leaders as ‘fathers’ for them and their ministry. This has continued and will not be stopped regardless of when our funds are released.

Miracles for Provisions! Many times in this journey we have arrived at a place where there were no resources to continue and needed a miracle. EVERY time, I mean every time, God has provided just in time what we needed for salaries, expenses, lawyer’s fees, moving expenses, etc. God has sustained us with miracles that we will share more details to you at the banquet.

Resources Multiplying. Our space at the warehouse for storing resources for Kenya is beginning to fill up. We already have enough to fill a container. We have received over 100 desktop computers with monitors, 40+ laptops, thousands of used books and Bibles already boxed up and ready to go (thanks Carroll and Myrna Springer), plus a recent donation of over 6,000 study books and booklets – ALL BRAND NEW! God is sending supplies for the Bible College. Why would God send us these resources if there were to be no college?

Official help. We were told when we were first cornered by the crooks wanting $1.4M of our award, that it would be hard for us to fight against them because we did not “know” anybody. Who did we know in Kenya that was high or powerful enough to go up against a powerful machine as the crooks had in place? However, since that time, God has brought to our aid several powerful people to stand and work with us. At the banquet I will be able to tell you more about this, but we stand in amazement of those “on our side” now! Of course, we all “know” Someone that is Higher than anyone else!

The Victory will be worth the wait and struggle. We believe our day of victory is very soon. We may have our compensation this month. However, if not, it will come and when it does, we will activate all our plans for building, growth, summits, regionals and preparing to open the Bible College in 2020. We are ready to redeem the year the cankerworm has eaten and to witness CMM double its ministry. More at the banquet.

Ministry Continues….

For the month of July our staff rested but now we are ‘back in business’.

We have planned a regional meeting in Nairobi for Sept. 16. Pastor Chola, John Magangi and I will be speaking. I will be speaking by video stream from Texas. I can’t wait.

We are now set up in temporary offices in Nairobi and our staff is organizing all our resources since the move. We will cook lunch for the pastors as well as give out books.

We are planning 2 more regional meetings before Nov. 1st in Western and Southern Kenya.

Our upcoming court dates are Sept. 17, 18 and 19th from 1:00PM-5:00PM each day.

We are working on the presentation for the banquet. We are doing it not knowing where things will be at that time, but it will be a time of joy. We will either have been paid or we will not. However, the vision has not changed and the call, anointing and purpose of MB has not changed. Therefore, we will update, give details of the miracles and what all God has done! We will rejoice of what is about to be done. We plan to raise a hallelujah, sing a little louder and shout a little longer regardless of where things at the moment.

Ronnie and Debbie

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A Hot Update for Summer

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:53:00 GMT

These past few months our journey with CMM/Kenya Railways/Compensation/Moving has resembled a roller coaster ride. None of us would have imagined all the issues, delays and such slow proceedings associated with the acquisition of our property. We are still waiting for release of our funds. Here is a summary of where we have been, where we are at now and where we are headed.

Sad news first:

We had an application before the court for the project (SGR) to be halted at our property until we were fully compensated. The court rejected that application due to the project being such a large, state project. However, the judge also decided to fast track our case. However, fast track in Kenya does not mean what we know as fast track in the US. On a positive note, all the money for our compensation has been released to the courts and is no longer with the government. Once our case is heard and completed, we will be paid and not have to wait on the government. Sadly, many of our neighbors have not been paid to date and their homes have been destroyed.

We had no choice but to quickly move out or be in contempt of court, thus allowing the construction company to demolish all our buildings. Presently, all the buildings at CMM have been demolished and the super bridge going through CMM has been completed.

We have released the majority of our staff. We have kept our Executive Staff and 3 others that we will need in the next few weeks. Due to funds from the construction allowing us to give them an early entry, we were able to give the staff we released a wonderful severance package along with many items we would not need going forward. These funds will provide for them for many months. Many of them were also able to salvage many materials from the buildings to either use or sell. They all left blessed.

The judge in our evaluation case set 4 days in July for hearings, however that was not enough time to finish. All courts are in recess for 6 weeks starting August 1 so our next hearings are set for September 16, 17, 18th.

The Good News:

During this past few weeks, we negotiated with the construction company for early entry on our property. Those funds, along with donations from CMM/MB supporters provided the money necessary to do all the moving, storage rental, moving costs, staff salaries, staff severance and money to pay towards lawyer, evaluator, auditor fees. This amounted to thousands of dollars and it all came together right when needed.

God provided a place for us to store all our beds, kitchen equipment, chairs, sound equipment, computers and 20,000 books. It is secure and dry. Along with the storage CMM has a place for its offices as well.

In our court hearings, we along with our lawyers feel that we not only are winning our case but winning by a big margin. Those challenging the validity of the amount of our award have as yet been unable to establish any place where it was overvalued. In fact, if things continue to proceed as they are, there is a real possibility that we could receive more than our award! I can’t go into all the details here, but we are extremely encouraged about how things are proceeding.

Within the last 2 weeks, we have had a divine intervention in our situation and from all indications it is about to bring about a great breakthrough. We are today waiting for a response from those challenging our claim and if it is what we have been told it should be, then we will have a great victory. There is so much that has happened
and so much to share and tell you. We have seen one miracle after another and are very confident that when this all is over, that we shall be blessed abundantly AND deep corruption would have been exposed!

What is next?
We believe that after the next court hearings in September we should have a ruling. However, if the negotiations/proposals in play now come about, the case would be “dropped” along with the paperwork to have the funds released. Our hope and feel are that by the end of September everything regarding this issue will be finished, finalized and payment received.

We are planning regional meetings in September with the pastors. We have 3 pieces of property that are ready for us to make an offer. Many books, laptops and resources continue to pour into the warehouse to be sent to Kenya. Debbie and I have been getting everything ready for a season of building, meetings, summits, conferences and opening the Bible college.

I can’t wait to give you a live update at the MB banquet on November 5th . I don’t know all the final details yet but just know it will be powerful and exciting. The things I can’t share here now, I will be able to share at the banquet. Please mark your calendar now so you won’t miss this one!

We could not continue to do what we have been doing and fighting the battles we have been this past year without the prayers, support and encouragement from you. We ask that you continue to pray for CMM and this situation as we have seen many prayers answered already. I’m convinced more now that I was 2 years ago that “God’s got this!”

Ronnie and Debbie

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The Train Story Continues

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 21:21:00 GMT

The past 2 weeks at CMM have been a whirlwind of activity and changes. Last week we had another hearing in court regarding receiving a portion of our compensation (75%) that is uncontested and then settle the remaining issues in ongoing hearings until done. The judge looked to be inclined to release the 75% but decided to hold all funds until the hearing is done. However, she also decided to set a full day aside on June 18th and hear and finish our entire valuation case with all witnesses and testimonies. After June 18th our lawyers expect she will rule within 3-7 days after that. The ‘good news’ about this is that this main case should be over before July and hopefully we are paid by then. It means that once decided then it is over, and we will know exactly the amount of funds we will have to move forward. Before the judge’s decision to complete our case, we estimated that if we had received the 75% that it would be 6-12 months before it was finalized (systems move slow in Kenya). Thursday’s ruling was not what we had hoped for, but this will turn out to be positive if it is all over within another 2-3 weeks.

We had also filed an injunction to have the court stop the train at CMM until we were paid. The judge declined that injunction since the project is a national project. We now have no legal basis to try and stop the train. However, the ‘good news’ here is that all of our compensation was sent from the National Land Commission in February to the courts and we are not dependent upon the government having the funds to pay. Once the judge rules our money should be forthcoming (Kenya forthcoming not America forthcoming).

We also received a visit from Kenya Railways accompanied by 2 police commanders giving us a veiled threat that since they have paid us, and the train is now approaching our place they might come and start removing the buildings. Their position is that the Railways has paid our award and it is not their problem that we are in court. We also heard from several others sources that Kenya Railways most likely was planning to come and take our buildings. We were also informed that KR already had planned to bring the GSU (similar to SWAT) to make sure no one interfered. So without a court ordered injunction we could not stop the deconstruction of our buildings. So, the next step was to cooperate with the Chinese Construction Company in allowing them “early entry” to build more pillars.

The Chinese made us a cash offer if we would let them start constructing some of the pillars remaining to be built on our property. They would pay us per pillar, non-refundable. After seeing that we could not stop the progress, we negotiated for the remaining pillars. So, we reached an agreement which the funds from this will pay for moving expenses, some deconstruction that we are doing for things we want to salvage as well as give funds for CMM to operate during this interim period.

We also rented a place for storage (another miracle story), hired 2 big trucks and last weeks started the move. By the time you receive this update most all of CMM will be moved. With our only option to finish this in the courts, we made the very difficult decision to let it all go and move out. The ‘good news’, the money from the Chinese is providing for all our needs for the move and all other expenses (staff paid this week)!!

I am copying a couple of pictures below of some of what’s happening now (Warning: Disturbing Images). The train is at the dormitory and is stopped there and will be for a couple of weeks. The dining has been deconstructed and is on its way to Joy Divine. The pavilion has been deconstructed and will be reconstructed on our new place. We are salvaging many things from the dormitory until Friday. It will be imploded this week-end.

To say all of this has been an emotional roller coaster is an understatement. Through all of this we have not let go of the vision God gave my dad and mom and Debbie and I for CMM. We keep looking at it during this battle and season knowing that once we have what God has promised, the end result will be worth the journey to accomplish it.

There is too much to share of all that has been happening; the challenges, the miracles, the ups and downs, the victories. We believe that this month is our victory month. If not, then July is it!

Thanks so much from the bottom of our hearts for all the prayers and encouragement. Prayers have been prayed all over the world and God is answering them. Please continue to stand with us and we will enjoy this victory together soon.

God’s Got This!
Ronnie

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The Latest from our Struggles in Kenya

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 15:05:00 GMT

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing!

So much is happening in our situation in Kenya almost daily. We want to update everyone as often as possible to keep you in the loop of the recent developments. Things are not moving at the speed we wish they were but at some point, our breakthrough will happen.

We had felt that the last court hearing, April 8th, would give us something more definitive in our situation. However, the judge listened for a few minutes to the various lawyers and then scheduled for another hearing on April 25th. She told everyone to come next time ready to proceed (she has told everyone this the last 2 court sessions).

One thing that we did observe at Monday’s hearing is the EACC changed their mind (betrayed and lied to us), about their willingness for CMM to receive 75% of our award now while the rest is decided in the court hearings regarding the total compensation. They want the total compensation case to be decided before any funds are released. The judge will hear the arguments in regard to this, on April 25th and she will decide (our argument is strong). However, if she decides to only deal with the total compensation claim, then it could take several months before it would be decided. So, April 25th could be a pivotal day.

However, we are fast approaching an intersection of the railroad having to finish the work on our property and the train being ready for the President to ride August 1 (President stated last week that Phase 2 is to be completed by August 1). Something will have to give shortly as there are still 11 columns to build on our property plus the laying of the track, etc. We do not believe this will carry on for several months without any compensation but the track record from those we have been involved does not give us any assurances so we must plan accordingly.

We felt it was time to be more pro-active as well. We are re-opening CMM and planning meetings and conferences and not plan any move until we have money in the bank. We have learned that there is basically no one you can trust. We have been lied to, whipped around and taken advantage of. When working in a country with so much corruption and such instability, nothing can be believed until it is seen. So, we are taking a step of faith and will start our first phase of restoring CMM to full use. Until something positive happens we will continue to fully restore our facilities and plan ministry to the pastors.

Pastor Michael Rountree of Wellspring Church challenged several of us to increase our prayers and warfare by having 3 days of fasting and prayer. After he mentioned it, several people immediately committed to it. As it began to pick up steam, we set the dates for April 17-19 with each person deciding what type of fast (juice, just water, vegetables only, social media, etc.). We then decided to challenge the African pastors to join us and we are getting the word out now. We have set a goal of 100+ CMM supporters to fast and pray during this time prior to the April 25th court date. It is becoming a global “event” for a concentrated period of humbling ourselves before God and increasing our intercession for a breakthrough in the CMM situation.

We will have several areas ready by April 23rd as we are hosting a 1 day meeting for pastors to gather at CMM for a day of praise, prayer and updating the pastors on where we are and what all is happening. We are expecting a good attendance of pastors to join us as we share our unity and faith and cry out to God on behalf of CMM.

After we decided this, we booked a group of 120 leaders of April 23-25 at CMM. We are taking a leap of faith as it will take several thousand dollars (bank account looks a little sad at the moment) to put everything back in order as well as host a June conference and other meetings. It will also take a couple of months to rebuild our clientele but by August we should have groups and income.

I am returning to Kenya at the end of next week for a couple of weeks to speak to the pastors, meet with US Embassy officials, encourage our staff and look at future possibilities for property purchase. I am already so anticipating spending the day at CMM with the pastors and the powerful praise and worship and fellowship. We will continue what we are called to do in Kenya with the ministry to the pastors and will keep the main thing the main thing.

Will you join us in fasting and increased prayers on April 17-19? The pastors have been committing to us for these days and if you will join us and let us know, then everyone will be strengthened and encouraged as a good number of CMM supporters on both sides of the Atlantic are uniting in prayer and faith.

I must again say so many thanks to all of our supporters. It has been beyond the ordinary as God uses different ones of you to support, encourage and praying. Each time it looks like we will sink, another miracle happens, or someone sends a timely word. We could not keep going through this season without you. God richly bless each of you.

As I was just reminded, ‘God’s Got This’ and our victory will happen, and I guarantee you one of these latest updates will be “We’ve been paid”.

Ronnie and Debbie

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Our Saga Continues…

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 17:18:00 GMT

It has been awhile since our last update as we keep waiting until we have great news to share. However, we felt another update is in order to bring everyone up to speed where things stand with CMM, compensation for property and Mission Barnabas.

So much has been happening in the last month in dealing with all the pieces of the government taking our property for the railroad. Due to so much corruption in almost every arena involving this process, it has caused so many delays. We also decided a few weeks ago that we were to expose those that are trying to exhort money from us by going to the proper authorities that handle fraud, criminal activity, extortion, etc. In doing so it has caused no small uproar in many places and opened up a Pandora’s box of lawyer activity, documentation, interviews, courts, judges, etc. We do however, believe that after the dust settles on all of this that not only will we be paid all our compensation without losing a large amount to the crooks and cartel but that this type of corruption will be exposed and uprooted and will keep others in the future from losing millions of shillings of their rightfully due money.

Our situation has become a national story and we have been featured on most of the news media outlets and more is to come. At the present moment we believe we are close to receiving about 75% of our compensation amount while we challenge the remainder in court. The court process is underway, and we believe that we shall have victory here as well.

We still need your prayers and support. We have had to hire 24-hour armed security for Pastor Chola and are preparing to move his family to a new home along with other precautions. The threats and possible threats have been disconcerting, but God’s power and promises have been greater. We are also doing all in our power to make sure none of our staff has to be laid off for a period of time if this continues to be delayed. We are waiting as well to book the facility for an April leadership conference in Nairobi until we have secured our funds. To host a conference in a place that can handle our size group is costing 4-5 times what we can host at CMM. That difference is too great for the pastors and too large for MB to subsidize.

This will be resolved, hopefully very soon, and when it is over, we will be rebuilding an incredible facility and believe the ministry will double. We continue to receive applications for our Bible college and have already received enough applications to break even if we started now…wow! Now that all of Kenya knows who CMM is and what we are about we believe this will bring in a good number of more pastors for the training. Being on the national news is not the way we had planned for more exposure, but our name is now out there in a big way. The news reports have shown our entry with our signs/names; the banner on the pavilion ‘Touch the leaders, change the nation’ as well as our facilities. We believe an explosion awaits and when the dust settles, we win big time.

As many of you are aware, we lost the first piece of property that we were to buy for our new place. However, we have found several wonderful parcels in the same area and once we receive our first payment of funds, we will be purchasing one of these pieces.

Debbie and/or I will be returning to Kenya as soon as a couple of issues are settled, and it is safe to do so. We anticipate that this will happen in March and/or April.

Please continue your prayers and thanks so much for all the encouragement, Scriptures and exhortations that have kept us strong. We are all in this together and we shall all reap the fruits together.

Blessings,

Ronnie

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Happy New Year!

Fri, 28 Dec 2018 16:01:00 GMT

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Debbie and I wish for each one of you a wonderful and safe holiday season. As we reflect over the past year, we are so grateful and thankful for each of you. You have been such a blessing to us and to the work in Kenya. So many of you have sent encouraging words with many prayers on our behalf and your continued financial support has held our hands up during the times we thought they might drop. Thank you so much and may God richly bless you.

CMM Update

We are confident that we will receive our compensation in either 2018 or 2019! We are closer than what was communicated in the last update. Several encouraging signs have happened, and we will share more once we see the money. We are seeing the hand of God and making progress toward victory against Sanballot. We do ask that you continue your prayers as they are working.

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Regardless of the timing of compensation, moving, rebuilding, etc. the ministry to the pastors and leaders must go full throttle. Thanks to the financial response at the banquet and from donations from others we are now planning 2019 ministry. We will be having one regional meeting each month January-May in various locations in East Africa; participating in a marriage conference in February; mini-conference in Uganda in March; leadership conference in Nairobi in April and again in August. After the next regional meeting/conference I am again reminded and refreshed of why we are doing what we are doing. We keep the prize before us while we work through all the obstacles and hurdles knowing the impact and rewards that lay ahead for MB/CMM we be amazing and wonderfully off the charts.

Year End Giving

If you are planning on giving to MB before the end of the year and you are sending it by mail, to receive credit for this year the envelope would need to be postmarked by Dec.31 ^st. Online giving to be done no later than Dec. 31 ^st .

May the Lord continue to enlarge the borders of your tent for 2019. May He keep you safe and healthy and may He proper all you set your hands to do.

Ronnie and Debbie

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Fall is in the air!

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 22:34:00 GMT

Greetings friends of Mission Barnabas,

It’s that time of year again and believe it or not it’s been almost 2 years since we had our last Missions Barnabas banquet. The train story has had several curves, tunnels, and inclines along the journey. The process that we had been told would happen has not followed the script we were given in July 2017. However, as the journey has unfolded at each turn and challenge, God has been so faithful to sustain us. We have also realized that the vision and mission of MB has never changed but grown stronger.

It is within this backdrop that Debbie and I invite you to this year’s banquet on November 13 ^th . You will be amazed, blessed and awed by what God has done and what lies ahead. Many years ago, radio host Paul Harvey, had a program called “The Rest of the Story” where he told what initially happened in a certain situation then gave the details and results of the rest of the story. It was always exciting to hear how things developed, finished and ended and it left you with a smile on your face. At this year’s banquet we want to add the next chapter in this story. Even as I write this I believe 1-2 chapters will be added between now and Nov. 13 ^th .

This letter is your personal invite from Debbie and I to join us for this exciting time. We are asking you to get your tickets now and mark your calendars. We have witnessed God sustaining us during this year and we have some incredible testimonies within the Story. Your support, giving and encouragement has made it possible for us to travel this journey and your continued partnership will help us achieve the goals God has given us.

We are not sure everything that we will present as it is still several weeks away and much can happen in Kenya in that time. However, I do promise you not only a great evening; wonderful meal, presentations, courtyard fellowship, music, and more ~ but also an inspiring report and challenge for the work of God in Africa. You will not want to miss this one. Just CLICK THIS LINK to buy your tickets now.

All Aboard,

Ronnie and Debbie

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Land Compensation Update

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 12:57:00 GMT

It is hard to report on the current state of affairs in Kenya as they seem to change hourly. This year has been the most challenging and stressful year of ministry for Debbie and I but we believe it will also be one of our best before it is over! We are hanging onto what God gave us over a year ago…”I’ve Got This”….Jesus.

As I have mentioned in previous updates evil forces were at work in all the happenings with the railways and particularly land acquisitions. Over the past few months Kenya has undertaken a major crackdown on corruption within the government. Many agencies in the government as well as different individuals have been exposed with allegations of corruption. They have purposed to expose corruption no matter who it touches nor how high their office.

We have seen and heard of possible corruption involving the National Land Commission, Ministry of Lands and the Kenya Railways in regard to the acquisition of lands for the new rail line. This past Saturday 14 key officials were arrested and will be charged in court on Monday with fraud and corruption directly related to land acquisitions along the rail line corridor. Some of those arrested were the chairman of the NLC, the Managing Director of Kenya Railways, officials in the Ministry of Lands, surveyors, evaluators, etc. We know many of these that have been arrested as they are ones that have been involved with all the workings of acquiring the properties along our route.

This is happening right at the very moment funding for all the land owners is in the process of being paid. In fact, we were informed that the land owners were to be paid this past Wed., Thursday and Friday.

This explains why the compensations have been so long in coming as we were to be paid last April, then by end of June, then no later than July 31. The investigations have been going on for some time and probably the reason this has slowed.

At the moment we do not know what all this means for us. The government may have alternate plans for payments as they knew what was coming or maybe they stop everything and start over with new people in place.

So as I write this, we may be paid next week, the week after that, September, October or before the end of the year. We are watching the news reports and talking to those we know within the government, banking, etc. that can give us any feel for what happens next. Due to so many delay, one possibility is that we may lose the property that we have secured as we are nearing the deadline for payment. This has been in God’s hands from the beginning and will continue to do so and we will continue to wait. The property must be paid for by August 29 ^th .

I had asked you to stand with us in prayer about the evil forces at work and we believe God is answering those prayers. If the war on corruption will actually succeed and it is not repeated in the new changes then Kenya is the real winner here and this will do so much for the average Kenyan in the long run. In the big picture of things, Debbie and I are hopeful that the war against corruption will bring about such change and blessing to the nation. Even though this has and is affecting CMM, our staff, our plans, etc. we continue to believe that God has this.

Ministry Continues

At the moment we are carrying on business as usual as much as possible. This coming week Count Me In is holding their annual conference for youth at CMM. They are expecting 600 youth from all over Kenya. We are also doing a large regional meeting on Wednesday in eastern Kenya. We just sent out the container on Thursday loaded with approximately 14,000 Bibles and books, sound equipment, computers, etc. We named the container, ‘Abraham’…it is shipped by faith as we do not know where it will need to be delivered.

Save the Date for the Mission Barnabas Banquet: Nov. 13

Whether or not all transactions in Kenya are done by November, we are having this year’s banquet!! The vision for Kenya, the pastors, training, materials, conferences, regional meetings, CMM staff, etc. is still alive and well and will be done. We are not sure what all will be presented this year, but I can guarantee you it will be powerful, directive, inspiring and challenging everyone for participation in something big! Follow this link to purchase tickets.

Continued Prayer and Encouragement

Debbie and I have been so encouraged and blessed by so many of you who have sent us Scriptures, words of encouragement, prayers, notes, extra gifts, etc. At the end of every month we are counting our pennies to make sure the CMM staff is paid. God has been faithful now for the past several months and extra giving has kept everyone paid. May God extend the borders of your tents.

We have heard from God through many of you and understand more than ever what ‘new every morning’ means. We are so grateful for so many friends.

Please continue to pray with us about this as we wait for this situation to be resolved. I will be headed back to Kenya within the next 10-14 days either way and we will take one day at a time.

Ronnie and Debbie

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A Train Story

Thu, 10 May 2018 14:18:00 GMT

“ That was better than a great movie!” Diane Staats

“Let the train come!!! for it is time to move” Fred K’Owuor

“I’m in shock…! Elvis Yitzakh

“What an example this is of God’s faithfulness!!! Karen Brassell

“Awesome story, awesome video, awesome testimony…and this is just the beginning!!” Marci Elliott

“Wow!!! Finally #wehavethis Elijah Ruto

“I love this. My, my, my. Look what God has done! “ Paula White

These comments are just a few after over 8,500 views and more than 50 shares (so far) of the video posted last Friday evening documenting the story of what has been happening with CMM and the upcoming move. The dominant theme in the comments is amazement, joy and testimony of what God has done. This whole story is nothing short of an incredible testament to God’s faithfulness, provision and His blessing us exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask are think.

If you have not viewed this documentary as yet, please take a few minutes to be blown away at what God is doing in Kenya with CMM. Click here to watch it now!

Our sincere thanks to Five Stone Creative that spent many hours in travel, filming, editing and doing such a fantastic job in sharing our story in this season of the CMM journey.

What’s next ?

Now that we have been officially awarded the documentation of our compensation, we wait for the actual funds to be wired into our account. Once the funds arrive many actions will start, beginning with closing the purchase of the 15 acres for the new home of CMM. We will begin the process of tearing down our facilities in Rongai and packing and moving all our equipment, beds, furniture, etc. to store at our new property. We will finish the completion of the director’s home at CMM Limuru which should take about 6-8 weeks. The process of laying out the master plan and designing the new facilities has been underway for the last several weeks. We are hoping to have the architectural plans, contractors hired and the first shovel of dirt to be turned over the first part of July. We are working toward being able to have some functions in the first of the new buildings by late summer or early fall 2019. At the moment we tentatively plan to have the official dedication in March 2020!!

Keeping the main thing the main thing!

During this season of building we must keep the ongoing ministry of encouraging, equipping and empowering the pastors; continuing with conferences and regional meetings. We are going to do the conferences “old school” like Dad and Mom did it before there was a CMM facility. We will hold conferences in various facilities and places around East Africa during this time. The next conference being planned now is for August in the town where our family first started 50 years ago, Kitale, Kenya. This conference will be a Celebration Conference of 50 years in Kenya. We will be holding regional meetings throughout Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania during this building season. We are also working to open the Bible college in February 2019. We have found a place that will work for this and they are making a way for us to set up our library as well so that we can get this underway.

Schedules :

Debbie and I just returned from Kenya a few days ago. We will be sending out a sea container in a couple of weeks and then take some rest. Our plan is for me to return mid to late June to make sure our new home is ready and to move us in and then Debbie will arrive a few weeks later. We will return to the US just before the Mission Barnabas banquet. This year’s banquet is November 13 th . You WILL NOT want to miss this one. Make sure you wear your dancing shoes!!

Thank you so much!!

Over the last few months the pressure and challenges has been some of the greatest we have personally had in our years of ministry. We asked for special prayers and support and you responded. We have literally felt the strength, comfort and love from the extra prayers that have been prayed for us. We also were able to meet the financial needs that became extreme during this time as you responded. This entire venture is one that we are ALL doing and making happen. We could NOT do this without the support from all of you. ASANTE SANA!! THANK YOU!!!

Ronnie and Debbie

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An Important Announcement Regarding our Pending Move to a New Location

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 18:46:00 GMT

An important video announcement from Ronnie regarding our pending move to a new location. Please take a moment to watch and if you would like to participate CLICK HERE!

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Special Update from Ronnie

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 11:36:00 GMT

Join Ronnie for a special video update regarding the process of relocating CMM.

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Yes, the Train is Still Coming!

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 19:43:00 GMT

Greetings dear Friends and Family!

As you are aware we have been in a holding pattern until it is official that the government “gazettes” our property. Once that happens then things begin to move with much greater speed.

This past week 14 officials from the railway, SGR and the Chinese construction firm came out to CMM. The officials present were the KR Program Director for Special Projects, the SGR Project Manager, the head engineer of the SGR Project, 2 KR board members, 4 top Chinese from CCCC and 4 other key staff. They came to visit, see all of our buildings and property, update us on what happens next and reconfirm the train is running directly through all 13 and a half acres of CMM. Our team gave the group a tour of all the buildings and explained our ministry. They also gave each person an ESV Study Bible, including the Chinese.

The head engineer is preparing an official letter from the Kenya Railways to CMM confirming that our land will be taken. The official gazetting is soon to follow. The bottom line (according to their projections) is that by the end of November, first of December the next phase (gazetting, evaluations, negotiations and compensation) will happen in December/January. They plan to “fast track” our process due to the fact we are an institution. They are hoping they can begin working on our land by February which means we would be out before then.

We are asking for your continued prayers. Once we appear in the Kenya Law Gazette, within 2-3 weeks we will be at the table with all the main players to determine the amount for compensation. We believe God will give us favor. Once compensation is settled, shortly afterwards we should receive agreed upon amount. At that point we will then be moving and starting over with building.

Debbie and I are returning to Kenya on November 14 th . If all goes according to these projections then we will return to Texas just before the January 30th banquet with amazing testimonies, miracles and pictures of where we are going and what the future looks like. It will be the first time in our family to not be together at Christmas but what will follow will make it all worth-while. (Probably means leaving bigger gifts than normal for kids and grandkids and much FaceTime).

Facebook Page

To keep everyone up to date on how things are developing with the “CMM Upgrade”, we will be adding many more detailed updates on our Facebook page – click here to like it now and stay informed:

facebook.com/missionbarnabas

What’s Next?

Every year November and December are fundraising months for Mission Barnabas and the work in Kenya. Many of you pledge monthly which we are asking you to continue. However, during the banquet and then as we visit churches and groups that support MB, many give towards the projects and for the ministry of MB (shipping a sea container, purchasing concordances, travel and everyday ministry needs). This year we will not be presenting any building or construction projects, PTL! We still do however need to carry on the rest of the ministry of which the donations given during this season enable us to do that. So we are asking you to consider this next month: If you had planned to give at our annual banquet or before the year’s end would you send your donation by mail or go to our website and donate?

MB mailing address:

Mission Barnabas POB 820734 N. Richland Hills, TX 76182

MB website: missionbarnabas.us/mission-barnabas

May the Lord enlarge the borders of your tent!! Asante Sana!!

Major Prayer Requests

Kenya will be holding a repeat of the August Presidential election this Wednesday, October 26. There is much turmoil at the moment and the country is on edge concerning this outcome. The nation seems to be a tender box at the moment and one spark could cause much chaos. Please move this up on your prayer list for a peaceful and safe election.

Important Dates/Events Oct. 26th…..Kenya Elections Jan. 30 th …..Mission Barnabas Banquet

Blessings to each of you and may the rest of 2017 be a blessed season for you, your family, your health, finances and all you set your hand to do.

Ronnie and Debbie

PS…After we arrive in Kenya and are gazetted we will hold a ‘Virtual Banquet’, (about 15 minutes) live streamed from the new place God is providing. Stay tuned.

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2017 Sept Update

Fri, 22 Sep 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Greetings and Salutations,

For those of you who have not heard, we have been waiting for the government to ‘gazette’ our property for use to build the next leg of the railway system in Kenya. Within the past couple of weeks the railway officials have been to CMM and took full measurements of the land and buildings as well as regularly taking of pictures and putting survey stakes throughout our property. Also an article last week in one of the Kenya

newspapers strongly suggested that property owners in the path of the train would be gazetted by the end of the month.

Making plans for all that might be affected over the next few months is difficult to do until CMM officially appears in the Kenya Law Gazette, at which time the government owns our property. We have not been able to wait on making some decisions that are affected by when Debbie and I would return to Kenya. We are in Texas at the moment and are ready to leave within a few days after CMM is gazetted.

Mission Barnabas Banquet

One of those decisions is the Mission Barnabas Annual Banquet. We have decided to postpone the banquet to January 30,2018 as the chances that we will be in Kenya making the move to a new place seem imminent. We are planning to live stream a “virtual banquet” the first week of November from Kenya (15 minutes). We will also be posting regularly as this should set many gears in motion.

Possible New Home

We have located 15 acres of beautiful property that may become the future home of CMM. We are doing all the due diligence now in preparing to secure it once we are gazetted. The land is ready for us to begin building as soon as we have been compensated for our current land and property. If this is the place God has for us then once you see the pictures and live stream you may need to be sitting down as you will be overwhelmed!!

Kenya in Chaos

If you are following the Presidential Election in Kenya last month, then you are aware that the election was nullified and has been rescheduled for October 17. Since then there has been non-stop upheaval and chaos. We have doubts that the nation will be able to actually have the election again in a month. There are so many power plays, political turmoil and tension happening and one of several scenarios could play out which could take several months to resolve. However, we know that God is greater than any government, nation, political parties, etc. No matter what comes or goes, CMM will be there to help the pastor, church leaders and the church.

This chaos may slow our situation down but it will not prevent it from happening as the funding for the railway is being provided by China and much of the labor as well. The next leg of the rail system has already started and the funds from China are in place to begin compensation. So while it may slow the pace we believe that the rail line will be done.

Prayers

Due to all the upcoming changes and preparations for those changes, there are so many decisions and things to be done for the transfer of our property, purchase of new property, plans for building, and moving (staff/equipment, etc.) Our plate is full as we work in several different areas to prepare for this venture. We are asking for prayers for our team: favor, wisdom, direction and anointing. Please continue to lift up Kenya and the scheduled October 17 re-election.

I felt strongly this past week while praying about all of the above that we need those who support this vision to begin to step up their prayers for us and CMM as the next few weeks are so critical.

Would you commit to adding a little more time when you think about the work in Kenya and stand with us in midst of so much activity that needs the touch of God?

Thank You for Standing with Us!

Ronnie and Debbie

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Heartbroken but Excited…..

Tue, 18 Jul 2017 02:34:00 GMT

A few years ago, Kenya, along with funding and builders from China, began constructing a railroad to go from Mombasa (the coast port) through Kenya to Uganda. In June they dedicated the first leg of the project and it is now open between Mombasa and Nairobi. The first leg of the rail line ended about 1 mile south of CMM. All the planning, surveying, etc. has been underway preparing for the next leg. The routing for the rail line has been completed and it appears that the train will come through CMM.

Needless to say when we first realized this was a possibility it knocked all the wind out of us. We have had an emotional roller coaster due to the history, the miracles, the heritage and the ministry that has taken place on this property. We sent letters to officials, had meetings, obtained legal counsel, prayed and turned it all over to God.

The good news is that the government has been dealing fairly with land owners along the route in compensating them. They have been giving fair market value for the property they take, compensations for buildings and helping to assist in relocation and moving of a business. Over the past few days we have been visited twice by officials in preparing us for how to proceed and the visits have been good. They have been very cordial and helpful in helping us in our preparations for moving. They have told us that they do not want our ministry to miss a beat.

The next action will be the listing of our property in the national paper (Kenya Gazette) issued each Friday.

After consulting with various people in the know of how things will proceed, the compensation we will receive will allow us to purchase land and rebuild. A silver lining is that we will be able to be in a better location and have all new facilities designed for where the ministry is now and where it is going in the future. It will allow us to accommodate many more pastors at conferences, be easier and faster for the pastors to find CMM from town, no traffic delays and issues and more convenient for the college students and guests.

The ministry, conferences, regional meetings and opening the Bible college will continue. We will do conferences like Mom did years ago by renting a facility until our facility is ready. We will do regional meetings and rent a facility for the college semesters until the new college is built. At present we project that if this happens it will take 1 ½ -2 years until enough building is finished to resume the ministry in our own facilities.

To say we request prayer for all of this is an understatement. We need your prayers that God will guide and direct us in all the details. We believe we will find the place He has for us and He will guide our steps in designing the facilities and bringing the right people to build and advise us.

There is so much that has happened and too much to put in one update. We now believe that God has been in this and that Mom’s vision…’Enlarging the Vision’, is happening in one giant leap. Once we are relocated and all rebuilt what we will be able to accomplish and do is mind boggling. It seems somewhat surreal at the moment but the work and ministry here is about to explode.

More details to come but please put this on your prayer list near the top for the next few weeks.

Blessings,

Ronnie and Debbie

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We need your help!

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 11:28:00 GMT

In less than 2 weeks we will have our annual marriage conference at CMM (Better Together) July 17-20. As usual we are expecting another powerful life and marriage changing conference.

We make the conference as low cost as possible but due to a pastor bringing his wife, their transport costs, conference costs, leaving money at home while they are away, etc., it is very difficult for these pastors to have the funds to attend. Everyone so wants to attend but it is a great challenge. Pastors have written us letters asking for help and by faith we have already committed to several scholarships as we can’t refuse.

Some only need ½ scholarship while others need a full scholarship. Some travel from so far away that unless they receive help it is impossible due to 2 transport costs.

This year we also want to help 20 young pastors that are involved with over 11 church plants in the poorer sections of Nairobi. These churches are church plants out of Destiny Chapel (Pastor Chola and Kariz). They are working to bring all of their pastors.

The cost for a scholarship for a couple (or 2 half scholarships) is $49.00. This covers all their meals, accommodations and teaching materials. If you could help send a couple or several couples what a blessing this would be. Every year we ask for your help with scholarships and because of your response many couples are able to attend.

As they say here, ‘if your marriage is healed, your ministry is healed’. Will you help us heal more marriages and therefore produce better ministry?

To donate just CLICK HERE NOW!

On behalf of many grateful pastors,

Ronnie & Debbie Matheny/CMM Team

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What’s Been Going on with Ronnie?

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 19:51:00 GMT

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Amazing First Quarter at Mission Barnabas!

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 16:01:00 GMT

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It’s time to push the TURBO button!

Wed, 05 Apr 2017 12:03:00 GMT

There is no way I can put all that is and has happened the first 3 months of 2017 in one update.

At this very moment, construction on the new dormitory is ready for the next phase; to put the beams and concrete for the first floor as well as wall up the ground floor. This phase requires that once the contractor starts they will need to finish this phase without stopping.

The cost for the beams and floor is $40,000.00. We can have it walled for another $10,000.00

So we are believing for $50,000.00 in the next 2 weeks.

A donor has stepped forward with a challenge: they will match all donations between now and April 10th (monies given by April 15th ) up to $25,000.00. We have 6 days left to pledge/give and 12 days left for all donations given. At the moment we have $6,600.00 pledged toward this…. $18,400 more and we start the next floor and walls.

What a generous offer this is for us to keep building. If you can help us meet this goal would you make it a priority to make a donation this week or to let us know what you will be contributing so we can let the contractor know what’s next.

Will you help us reach $50,000 to our next phase? Asante Sana!!

Ronnie and Debbie

You can Donate online Here, add the note ‘MB Spring 2017’ :

Or Send a check marked ‘MB Spring 2017’ to

Mission Barnabas Intl.

P.O. Box 820734

North Richland Hills, TX 76182

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Our New Dorm is Ready for Next Phase!

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 15:50:00 GMT

This year we have been building the new dormitory as the funds come in. Our goal has been that our fundraising would stay just ahead of construction so that we do not have to stop our building progress. However, we have just spent the last of our construction cash to finish the first floor foundation and columns .

The next step is to put the beams and floor in for the first floor and to do that the contractor needs to

finish this phase without stopping!

We asked our contractor what it would cost to not only to finish the next floor foundation but also to wall up the ground floor. If we walled it in then by the next conference we could put pastors on cots in the building rather than under tents. The cost for this is $50,000.00

What a challenge, but as I have said at each step our 3 year, #Flight2018 Vision ~

God’s Got This!

A generous donor has stepped forward to offer Mission Barnabas a Spring Matching Funds Challenge! Whatever is given or pledged to Mission Barnabas between now and April 7th and then paid by April 15 ~ all these donations will be matched up to $25,000.00!! (Why, yes – it is a tax-deductible gift!)

What a blessing and miracle this would be if by the June conference (expecting approximately 1,000 pastors) it could house the overflow. AND this will allow us to

KEEP BUILDING THIS DORM!

Will you consider donating toward this project?

Let’s watch our donations double and reach this goal.

We challenged the 500 pastors at the conference last Wednesday night and they responded with cash and pledges amounting to…. are you ready for this?… they gave $6,000.00!

So we are on our way and once our MB friends and supporters respond I believe we will reach this goal.

Please let me know (private message me, email me, text, call, or make a donation now) and we will keep everyone informed as the amount grows. What a blessing knowing that what you give will be doubled.

Thank you in advance,

Ronnie and Debbie

You can Donate online Here, add the note ‘MB Spring 2017’ :

Or Send a check marked ‘MB Spring 2017’ to

Mission Barnabas Intl.

P.O. Box 820734

North Richland Hills, TX 76182

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Back home in Kenya….

Wed, 15 Feb 2017 12:19:00 GMT

We arrived back in Kenya on Feb.1 ^st and what a joy to walk into our new home! Everything worked and the CMM team had it all clean, groceries in the kitchen and ready for us to make coffee and begin our time here and no hot water heater leaks.

Another cause for excitement was to see all the construction happening. When we drove in the required signboard that gives all the general information greeted us. This signboard means that we have all the necessary permits and paperwork and fees paid to build our structure. It also means any future building will be much easier and less costly for permits, etc. Thanks so much to our contractor and his team who pursued this and made it happen when it seemed it would be cost prohibitive due to missing paperwork from years gone by….but God!!

By the time you read this, the first floor will be poured and half of the columns to support the next floor will be finished. By the time of our March conference (when the pastors arrive) all the columns will be up and the beams will be next in line. The pastors are going to shout with excitement when they see what has happened since they were here last. Please continue to believe with us as at this moment the funds we have will finish the columns and start on the beams. As the money comes in, we keep building. So far we have not had to stop and pray with us that we keep the building rising.

On a side note, the contractor was able to work out some space underneath the first floor (basement area) and is now finishing it out and it will serve as our library. It should be ready for painting next week!!

Praise report ….

We just found out this week the college we are partnering with to open a Bible college at CMLTI received our formal proposal and after the board of directors met, we were approved to officially proceed. Our launch date is September 11, 2017. We plan to officially announce and have the application process ready by the start of the March conference. Pastors have been calling wanting to know when it will start…they are ready. Watching a dream come true is making me younger.

Upcoming Events and Prayer Requests….

A sad note ….Many of you may have heard that this past week we lost a former employee, Javan Wasike. He had been employed by CMM and part of our team for over 10 years. In September he resigned partly due to health concerns and to pursue more ministry. He died unexpectedly last Wednesday. He was a great guy and served with such love and kindness. He leaves behind a wife and 2 small children. Please keep his wife and family in prayer this week.

Sea container arrival ….We just received word that the sea container is arriving into Mombasa on Feb. 13 ^th . It will come by train to Nairobi. We need God’s favor that it is cleared with no problems and timely.

Couples retreat….. Pastor Chola, Pauline, Sam Karanja, John Magangi, Debbie and I leave Monday for a 2 day couples retreat about 3 hours from Nairobi. They are expecting 150 couples for the marriage encounter. We will let you know how it goes as we are expecting many marriages to be changed and healed.

Debbie and I are so blessed to get to do what we do. So much of it is possible because many of you support this vision. May the Lord enlarge the borders of your tent and 2017 be you most blessed and prosperous year ever!!

Ronnie & Debbie

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Big November Update!

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 00:21:00 GMT

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Getting Ready to GO!

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 17:07:00 GMT

We are brimming with excitement to share with each of you all that has happened this past year at Mission Barnabas. Seeing you at the banquet is a highlight of our year and now it’s just 11 days away!

This is the Last Weekend of Ticket Sales so get yours now: TICKETS HERE .

Plan to come early for our Curio Shoppe! You will not want to deal with jealousy over what you could have had just 5 minutes earlier!

This is also the last you will hear from me until the banquet and the last email in our GROW ~ GIVE ~ GO campaign!

God has been calling Mission Barnabas to new things ~ change is indeed in the air as we move closer to 2018, our 50th Anniversary. The #500for50 projects are well under way and we will unveil much at the banquet. GO is just that ~ we want you to GO or HELP GO between now and the end of 2018. Consider joining us on a MB Team or work with your church or group to plan a trip! Many more details to help you GO are coming…

But there are ways you can HELP GO now!!

Sponsor a Virtual Table (we don’t give you 10 seats at the banquet, we just take your money!)

A $1,000 Virtual Table Sponsorship donation allows us to channel 100% of the donation into the ministry. AND we will mail you a very special gift that Ronnie and Debbie brought home from Kenya just to say Thank You! One of the ways we use these funds is allowing Kenyans to GO from Kenya to the US to join us at our banquet and pay for their expenses while here. We are so excited for you meet this year’s team either at our banquet or one of the churches we will visit in the coming weeks. Consider a table sponsorship to help our soon arriving Kenya Team!

You Can Buy Table HERE !

Thank you so much for supporting Mission Barnabas, looking forward to seeing you soon!

~ Ronnie & Debbie

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1 + 1 = Something More than 2!

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 16:09:00 GMT

As you are aware we will be hosting our annual banquet this year on Tuesday, November 1 at Piazza in the Village in Colleyville, Texas.

As we are starting preparations for this year’s banquet, I can tell you that I believe it will be our best yet. Excitement is already building and I can hardly wait to share with you what all has happened and is about to happen. Great things are on the horizon and you will be excited about what is coming. Of course the Kenyans will be joining us and we are planning other special treats and experiences just for this year (whispers of a Kenyan Curio Shoppe!?!)

Our theme this year is GROW ~ GIVE ~ GO !

We want you to invite just one other! Tickets are on sale now and here is my challenge ~ bring someone new with you! If you bought 2 tickets last year, buy 4 this year and trust that God will send just the right people to join you for a fun night and fabulous dinner!

SO… help spread the MB Love!

1) Buy your tickets today!: TICKETS HERE

2) Tell the world you are going on Facebook!: FACEBOOK HERE

3) Invite someone to the banquet (forward this email or share with them on Facebook.)

4) Keep an eye on your inbox for the GIVE email coming soon!

We want to take you from being more than just an MB supporter to a full-fledged MB evangelist!

You’re well on your way!

~ Ronnie & Debbie

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It’s Marriage Conference Time

Thu, 14 Jul 2016 16:45:00 GMT

It’s July…..It’s Marriage Conference Time!!

Over the past few years we have held a conference for pastor’s and spouses every other July. However, the need for ministry in this area is so great we have hoped to have them more often. So due to God providing others to help bring ministry in this area we can offer another couple’s conference. It is difficult to try and describe watching these marriages change during the conference. We see the fruit right before our eyes and the impact on the church is so powerful.

In just over 2 weeks (July 26-28) we will be hosting another marriage conference. Due to how expensive it is for both the pastor and spouse to travel, attend as well as leave money for their families, this is a big financial challenge. Just like last year, we need help so we can give a scholarship to the spouse and in some cases providing scholarships for the couple.

Sponsor a Couple Today!

At the moment, about 25 couples registered to come during last week’s conference. About 25 couples are preparing to attend from Uganda. Other couples are believing and counting their money hopeful to attend. We know of pastors that we want to help and make sure they can attend. We would like to make it possible at least 50 more couples to attend, either by giving a scholarship to the spouse or to the couple. We can accommodate 135 couples and if the funds overflow we will keep adding more couples.

We are asking for your help. If you could sponsor one, two or more spouses or couples we can reach our goal. For $49.00 we can either sponsor 2 spouses or one couple. Last year you responded in such a way that many couples were able to attend and so many testimonies of healed marriages. This is one of the opportunities to give where you definitely receive a big bang for your buck. Will you consider sponsoring one or more and help us ‘Touch the leader, change the church; Touch the church, change the nation’!

Ronnie, Debbie and CMM Team

Sponsor a Couple Today!

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Grasshopper Plague at CMM (and other really good things too!)

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 18:51:00 GMT

We were blessed to be able to handle such a large group effectively. Due to so many improvements, changes and building, we were able to feed over 1,000 people in less than an hour. With nearly 400 in tents the shower/toilet building was awesome to have for those in the tents to use. We had more than enough cots for the overflow. The sound in the pavilion covered the place perfectly with all those outside hearing everything that overflowed. The new generator with the automatic switch was awesome. During registration we had a number of laptops and workers checking in pastors from all over East Africa in a quick and efficient manner as having access to such technology and training on Excel, etc. (thank you Debbie) that the overflow did not slow us down. The bookstore was a place full of joy and excitement. Due to so many at this conference our book supply was hit hard and is in need of some replenishing soon. Our concordances are finished as well and September conference is ahead.

Thanks once again to every one of you that gave books, resources, money, computers, etc. Your contributions are making a huge difference and I believe this conference started something that will continue to grow and have an impact in these nations.

Ronnie and Debbie

PS…testimonies to come once we can rest, read them and type.

#NowBoarding #Flight2018 #500for50

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This Week: From Texas to Kenya with Love!

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 16:07:00 GMT

Debbie and I depart Wednesday for Nairobi and it’s hard to believe all that’s happen since we have been home!

Big picture, we are planning to have several main projects in place by the summer of 2018; the dormitory completed, a library built and operational as well as starting a Bible college. We are keeping the big vision and projects in focus as we move through this year. We are preparing to start construction on the dormitory this fall as the funds continue to come in, have set up a temporary library that is now in place at CMM as well as doing the “paperwork” and groundwork for starting ongoing training through opening a college. You will hear more about all of these in the near future.

As far as the first 6 months of this mission’s year, we had an awesome conference in March, 3 great regional meetings in southern Kenya and the container is unloaded and all the resources are ready for our next conferences.

One of our goals for the coming year was to involve more pastors and churches in the vision for 2016 and beyond. This is happening. At our upcoming conference at CMM next week, we will have 7 speakers, 4 of whom are first timers at CMM. They come from California, Texas and New Zealand! At our July marriage conference as well as our September conference several more first time pastors from Mississippi, Nebraska and Texas will be helping us. Wow and praise the Lord!

This conference is shaping up to be another step in fulfilling this year’s vision. Not only are more speakers and churches helping us but we expecting to bring between 800-1,100 leaders together from all over East Africa for one of our largest conferences yet. We believe that we will witness a great unity among leaders and introduce CMM to many first time African pastors. The dates are June 27-30.

So on your part, continue to pray for us and the upcoming events; mark your calendar for the banquet and Save the Date- November 1: begin now to sow the seeds to invite others to bring with you to the banquet; spread the word to any pastor or church leader on our behalf and continue to consider how you may help us reach the funds needed for this year’s projects.

Debbie and I greatly appreciate your love and prayers while we work in Kenya through October. As we prepare for our “Now Boarding” announcement this week, we are believing that God will challenge you to come to Kenya soon and have a Now Boarding moment of your own!

Many of you have asked how we are doing since Mom died and we can report that God has been so gracious in helping with all the issues surrounding her passing and we are ready for the next 4 months to be one of our most impact-full seasons to date for ministry.

Blessings,

Ronnie and Debbie

#NowBoarding #Flight2018 #500for50

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Flight 2018 – Now Boarding!

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 14:33:00 GMT

Can you believe that we are already half-way through our mission year for 2016? Wow! And what a year it has been!

Over the next several weeks we will be posting a series of blogs from us updating you on all that has been going on plus all the exciting things we still have to look forward too.

In addition, we are going to be recruiting your help in several specific ways. Our #1 Goal this year is to sell-out our banquet with faces and churches familiar and new! (And we are going to need your help!)

Are you ready for your fist assignment? It’s easy, just mark your calendar for November 1st. This is the date of this years banquet and we want that on your smartphone calendar ASAP! The banquet this year will be ‘off the charts’ and we want to help ensure that everyone has it circled.

Alright, work over – now check this out:

Blessing this Summer – stay tuned!
Ronnie & Debbie

#NowBoarding #Flight2018 #500for50

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Another Hero of the Faith Entering Heaven

Fri, 01 Apr 2016 15:22:00 GMT

As many of you are aware, my mother went to be with Jesus last month. Knowing that her time was near we had made many arrangements in advance. However, you are never quiet ready for the actual moment. Debbie arrived at Mom’s bedside within minutes of her passing and immediately called me. At first I began to weep but then I realized that within the last 8-10 minutes Mom had just entered heaven. So I began to think through what had just happened in her transition and what must be going on at that very second. Immediately the tears stopped and I began to smile. What a lady, what a legacy and what a homecoming!

Her funeral was a celebration of life and several who attended felt like they had been to church. We were able to live-stream the service to CMM in Kenya where about 250 pastors and leaders had gathered to celebrate with us. The pastors gave a long shout of triumph as well as sang one of Mom’s favorite Swahili songs. I was watching to see if Mom might just rise up out of the casket! She was laid to rest with family and friends celebrating a life well lived and in anticipation of the joy she is now experiencing and the joy we all shall experience in our futures.

Thanks to every one that sent encouraging words, flowers, donations, etc. It was “easy” to let a loved one go that had done what they wanted to do in life, blessed their family and left a legacy and example for many to follow.

2016 So Far….

After 3 months into the year, we have already experienced and witnessed so many of the expectations we have for this year:

What’s next….

Debbie and I have changed our travel plans due to all of these challenges. We will be extending our next trip into October. During that time we will be at CMM for the June conference (June 27-30), the marriage conference (July 21-21), Count Me In conference (Aug. 6-11) and the September conference (Sept. 28-30).

We are hoping to begin the first phase of construction in the late summer on the new dormitory #500for50 as well as finalize our living arrangements for a place in Kenya.

As always, we could not do what we do without all of you, your prayers, encouragement and support. We never take that for granted and realize what we do is an extension of your mission and vision through us for Africa.

Blessings and may God enlarge the borders of your tents in 2016!!

Ronnie and Debbie

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Jewell Matheny Obituary

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 11:53:00 GMT

Noma Jewell Matheny of Keller, TX, faithful wife, dedicated missionary, and beloved mother,

grandmother, and great grandmother was ushered into her eternal reward on March 1, 2016. She was

preceded in death by her husband Clarence Matheny, her parents John and Noma Kemp Dreher. She is

survived by her five children, Ronnie (Debbie) Matheny of Keller, TX; Marion Matheny McNeal of Ft.

Worth, TX; Don (Amy) Matheny of Nairobi, Kenya; Bob (Mal) Matheny of Biloxi, MS; and Murphy (Twila)

Matheny of Biloxi, MS. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and a host of

friends and loved ones.

Jewell married Clarence on November 18th, 1948, and during their 37 years of life together they were

involved in a variety of ministry endeavors, including pastoring, evangelism, and missions. All of her

children came to know Christ at an early age, and three are currently involved in full-time ministry as

pastors and missionaries. They traveled the southern United States with their children known as “The

Singing Matheny’s.” They moved the family to Kenya in 1968. In 1975 they returned to the US

temporarily, during which time they founded the Storehouse Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, now

known as River of Life Church. After the passing of her husband she returned to Kenya by herself to

continue the ministry for the next 20 years. She founded and established Clarence Matheny Ministries

Leadership Training Institute in Nairobi. She is responsible for 50 leadership conferences affecting tens

of thousands of pastors and leaders including medical and dental clinic outreaches, and the distribution

of food, clothing, mosquito nets, and vitamins. She was well known, loved, and respected by thousands

of church leaders throughout East Africa.

Celebration of Life: Jewell will be honored at a visitation held at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 8525

Mid-Cities Boulevard, North Richland Hills, TX, Saturday, March 5th from 5-7 PM and a funeral service at

River of Life Church, 6837 Hwy 98 West, Hattiesburg, MS, on Tuesday, March 8, with 10 a.m. visitation

and 11 a.m. service. Interment to follow at Roseland Park Cemetery.

Memorial Funds: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mission Barnabas, P. O. Box

820734, North Richland Hills, TX 76182, or online at www.missionbarnabas.us

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I’ve Got This

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 18:32:00 GMT

If you were at the banquet or any meeting we have been at since, you are aware that we set several goals for the next 3 years. In 2018 we will celebrate 50 years that my family has been in Kenya. I felt that God challenged me as to what would we like to see accomplished by that significant milestone. Almost immediately three things became the focus; finish building the next dormitory, build a library and media building and have collegiate level pastoral studies available at CMM. I was overwhelmed with the prospect with this part of our vision happening as well as overwhelmed at what this would cost and require. However, after prayer, discussions, sharing, etc. we felt that God was in this.

On the Sunday after the banquet we took our team to Living Word Church in Houma, LA to share with them about 2015 and what was next. During the praise and worship time they began to sing ‘How Great Thou Art’. That was one of my Dad’s favorite songs and I began to think about him and his vision for Africa. I also started to realize again just how big our next challenge was to complete the next part of this vision. I began to pretend talk to my dad and also to Jesus that we may have stepped too far out this time. The enormity of the gap of additional funds needed was towering over my mind. To accomplish these goals we will need above and beyond our regular expenses, $500,000.00.

The next Sunday in Biloxi at Cedar Lake Christian Assembly after sharing this, a lady stopped me and said that her business had made up bracelets for people to wear and she gave me one. What did it say: “God has this!”. Then about a week later when Debbie and I returned to Texas we were driving home after shopping and noticed a new billboard sign on one of the main roads to our home. It was Jesus hand holding the world saying, “I’ve Got This”—Jesus.

Debbie had to stop and take the picture and we realized 3 times is not bad for a confirmation. I don’t know how God will do this and the gap is still enormous but I have been wearing the bracelet and continually reminding myself, “He has this”.

I wanted to share this with you as a word for the New Year as well. You may be facing some strong challenges; medical and health, financial, job related, marriage issues, family, etc. but I want you to be encouraged that Jesus is saying to you, “I’ve Got This”!!

Ronnie

Ps. After several weeks of preparations the sea container left last Saturday loaded with so many wonderful resources. It should arrive in Nairobi during the first 2 weeks of March. It has thousands of Bibles and books along with many much needed resources for CMM and churches. It will be like Christmas for many. Thanks so much to everyone that helped us get everything ready, load it and ship it. Headed back to Kenya and will be there to unload!!

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2016 Starts a New Season at Mission Barnabas

Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:31:00 GMT

If you were not able to attend this year’s banquet then wow, you really missed it! Just a few highlights we shared:

Many times we are so amazed at how effective the ministry to pastors has been and how many leader’s lives and ministries have been changed, affected and taken to the next level. We have literally seen thousands of leaders touched and changed. However, we sense that we are about to reach critical mass and exponential growth. To accommodate this, our campus needs to be finished!

What if we could have conferences for 1,000 – 1,500 leaders versus 600 -800? We now have in place much of what would be needed to train larger numbers: a 1,000+ seat pavilion; a dining hall that can serve 1,500; shower/toilet building for overflow demands; 13 acres; guest house accommodations and a dedicated and serving staff. All that is lacking is more places for sleeping accommodations and we could double our effectiveness.

To accomplish this 3 year vision, we shared at the banquet our largest challenge to date. The projected cost to accomplish these projects over the next 3 years is only $500,000.00. In the past our yearly projects (over and beyond regular ministry expenses) has fallen in the $60,000-$90,000.00 range. To reach our goal in the 3 years, we have calculated the next 3 years into yearly challenges of $140,000.00; $160,000.00; and $200,000.00.

What does this mean? It means we all must go to the next level in our faith, giving and working to meet this challenge. These amounts are way beyond what we have done in the past years and in the natural is way over our heads! God will need to do several miracles, and I know he will. After donations from the banquet, from itinerating and year end gifts we project to have approximately $30,000.00-$40,000.00 to go to Phase 1 ($140,000.00). This amount excludes gifts and donations that churches, ministries, donors are seeking God about to help with Phase 1. So for 2016 we are expecting “yet to come” giving of $100,000+.

We need all of our supporters to begin to believe with us and seek God on how to help us meet this challenge. Some are considering donating stock to MB. Some may want to have a building built in the name of a loved one. Maybe your pastor or church would like to get in on this and you could be a conduit to helping connect us to more pastors and churches. Who can you bring with you to the banquet next year to help us enlarge the borders of our tents? What fund raising projects could you initiate? We believe that we all can watch this happen before our eyes in the next 3 years. #500for50!!

Would you start sharing this hash tag throughout the year when appropriate? Let’s pray it down, talk it up and pay it forward and start taking leaps rather than steps in changing East Africa!!

Thanks to each of you that have given, has encouraged and taken ownership for the vision of Mission Barnabas. Without you this would not be happening. May God give each of you a great holiday season.

Ronnie and Debbie

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The Banquet will be Live on Periscope!

Mon, 02 Nov 2015 22:13:00 GMT

One of the new features for this year’s banquet is that it will be live-broadcast on Periscope! If you are not able to attend tonight’s banquet or you know folks who would like to watch then we have a treat – the banquet can be seen live on Periscope!

Just follow these steps to watch and make sure to forward to a friend:

1) Download the Periscope app from your smart phone.

2) Login using your Twitter account or create a new account for free.

3) Search and Follow @MissionBarnabas

4) Be on your Periscope App between 7:30-9:00pm and click on the ‘Mission Barnabas Banquet’ from your broadcast list!

Pledges can be made via email, Paypal donations can be made HERE!

We hope you will join us tonight via Perisciope!

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One week before the celebration begins!!!

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 19:06:00 GMT

It is just one week until our annual Mission Barnabas banquet. I am so full of anticipation and excitement for this year’s event. We have some great things to report for 2015 and some very exciting news to share with everyone of what is coming in 2016 and beyond. I have been told not to spill the beans for the next phase of the vision until the banquet but just know we will all be blessed. ( Purchase Your Tickets HERE! )

As you are aware we are stepping up our game this year and having the banquet at the Piazza at the Village in Colleyville. So far 9 tables have been sponsored, tickets are being purchased daily with many first time guests joining us; a gourmet meal is being prepared, Kenyans are on their way and the presentation will stir our hearts once again for the work in Africa. The Piazza is handling everything for us: the appetizer trays, the meal, the decorations, the table set ups and the clean up. The mountain of volunteers that usually work for hours before and after the banquet will now be able to fellowship, visit, eat and enjoy the festivities with everyone else. When all is finished, this year’s banquet will not cost Mission Barnabas and those funds can now go to bless pastors.

What else do we need from you except to come and enjoy the evening with us? The last day to buy tickets is Tuesday, October 27, so the Piazza can plan accordingly. If you have not purchased your ticket yet please do so today. ( Purchase Your Tickets HERE! )

See you soon,

Ronnie and Debbie

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Fall is in the Air… Must be Banquet Season!

Tue, 06 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

It’s time again for our annual banquet for Mission Barnabas, Tuesday, November 3rd. This year we are taking it to the next level and I am so excited about all that is planned. So I will ask you right off, will you help us take the banquet to the next level?

To step up our game we are making several changes. We are making these changes as we improve our presentation to help us reach more possible donors and improve our presentation of Mission Barnabas. This will be the time and place to invite a pastor, neighbor or friend that can experience the work in Africa through MB. You can help us extend the ministry by enlarging the circle of donors and supporters. These changes will also free up many who volunteer every year to cook, clean, organize, decorate, etc. to just enjoy the banquet and have time to mingle, visit and enjoy the festivities.

First, we are changing locations from the Colleyville Center to the Piazza in the Village in the Colleyville Town Center. We will all enjoy this fantastic event facility. They provide everything from roaming appetizer trays, chef-prepared plaited dinner, wait staff, equipment and the facilities are off the charts. The next change is selling tickets to the banquet. If we sell tickets then all the monies raised can go directly into helping the pastors. This year we hope to sell enough tickets and table sponsorships to completely erase the annual budget line for banquet expenses – so thanks in advance for being willing to buy a ticket and put another $3,000 into resources to pastors!

We are also offering table sponsorships for those who would like to buy an entire table ($1,000.00, includes 10 tickets and special perks). And even though this is a more expensive venue, the cost to Mission Barnabas is no greater and actually will be less as donations are being made to help cover costs. This more funds will be generated for blessing the pastors. You will also notice several other changes once you experience this year’s banquet.

So here’s how you can help. First, follow HERE and purchase your tickets.

Second, begin to think through who you could invite to bring with you. Consider a table sponsorship. Go to the MB Facebook page and like the event and then show up ready for a next level experience for the work in Africa!

We constantly challenge the pastors in Africa that they need to go to the next level. Now we are challenging ourselves to do the same thing. Let’s set the example for launching out a little deeper and expand the borders of our tent!

Ronnie and Debbie

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Big Announcement from Mission Barnabas!

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 16:11:00 GMT

Over the past 11 years Mission Barnabas has reached more pastors and distributed more resources than anyone imagined possible ~ but 2015 is the year we take it to a new level! Mission Barnabas is pleased to announce a new venue for our Annual Banquet: Piazza in the Village in Colleyville. This year’s banquet will be Tuesday, November 3rd. Join us for this inspiring evening as we share in all that God has done at Mission Barnabas. Tickets are available for $25 per person or sponsor a table for $1,000 (includes 10 tickets!) Registration closes October 28th!

Purchase Tickets Here

The evening will include an interactive courtyard experience, a chef-prepared dinner and a special presentation from the Mission Barnabas Team. This event is our largest fund-raiser of the year and we hope that you will be a part of this important occasion. We start at 6:30pm, but come early this year ~ doors open at 6:00pm for a special courtyard presentation with hors d’oeuvres.

Please note: There will be no RSVP or walk up tickets available for this evening. You must puchase tickets online by October 28th in order to attend, limited seats available. Children are welcome, but must have a purchased ticket.

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An Awesome Conference!!!

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:58:00 GMT

We just finished a 5 day marriage conference with approximately 140 couples, our largest by far. What a week. We witnessed so many marriages touched, changed, saved, healed and renewed. Thanks to the team from Living Word Church, Houma, La., Gary and Diane Staats, Barnabas and Grace Achoki, the CMM staff and each of you, the conference was a great success. We saw couples laugh, cry, shout, pray for one another, embrace, praise and worship and totally be renewed by the love of God and love for one another. The couples were also blessed by an eye clinic and a medical clinic, books and loads of gifts.

We ended the last night with a banquet. We turned our freshly painted and made over dining hall into an enchanted and romantic dining experience. After the couples had spent 4 days in the intense teaching, workshops and having a marriage makeover, they could now celebrate with each other in a wonderful evening of food, music, gifts and fellowship. We just watched as we saw all of our labor during the week turn to smiles, kisses, dancing, laughter and a commitment to have a better marriage as they renewed their vows.

One older pastor told me that we were touching millions as all of these pastors and couples would be taking this to people all over East Africa and many would be taught and helped from them taking what they had learned. We are tired but still basking in the afterglow of such a powerful move of the Holy Spirit to help so many couples. They wanted us to go for another week.

We personally want to thank everyone that helped support the pastors and the couples to be able to attend the marriage conference. This conference is our most challenging financially due to a smaller number yet we have most of our regular conference costs. Without your extra help we would not have been able to help many to attend. After registration income and then all the expenses we were about $5,000.00 short and that was the amount almost to the penny that you gave toward this. We finished even…PTL!! We were once again amazed at how God met the need one more time. Asante Sana!!

If you would like to read a couple of outstanding testimonies just scroll on down at the end. It is so hard to choose which ones to use as so many were so powerful. One day in heaven, if not before, you will get to meet some excited couples that because of your making it possible for them to attend this meeting their marriage was healed their family saved.

On the horizon….

Debbie and I will be home next month and look forward to seeing many of you. May the Lord continue to enlarge the borders of your tents.

~Ronnie and Debbie

Marriage Conference Testimonies

“I lack words to express my gratitude for this marriage conference. It has been for me the best journey yet for my marriage. I admit that life has had a way of beating against us and the dents in turn caused the loss of many essentials in our marriage. I feel like our marriage has been birthed again. I leave this place more in love with my husband than I have EVER been. The teachings have been life changing. A lot of release and restoration has evidently taken place in my life as a wife and in my marriage. I thought a lot, I shed tears, I laughed, I prayed…and all that was part of this amazing spark that has been lit. I will never forget the men and women of God that have impacted my life so greatly. God bless CMM and Living Word Church. I will hold dearly the experience I have had and will never forget even for a moment this landmark in my marriage. This is a life changing experience and I give all the glory to God. If for nobody else, THIS WAS FOR ME. God bless you so much.”

~Laura Ochieng

“Am grateful!! Am so blessed!! Each speaker blessed me!! I came with so much burdens and weights but everything has been lifted up!! I feel better, think better about my marriage and am going to put in practice what I have learned. Am so, so, so, so, so, so Happy!! God bless all those great ministers of God!! I love you all!!!!!!”

~Delegate

“ Before I came in this conference, my marriage life was almost falling apart. I thank the Lord God who had strongly impressed a hatred for divorce in my heart. But even then, I was with thoughts of separating with my wife. However, glory be to the Lord God who through this CMM, MY LIFE HAS BEEN GREATLY REVIVED/RESTORD. I felt like most teachings rotated around husbands but I believes that was for the restoration of my life in the marriage! I feel all teachings landed in my life on a fertile soil. Lord God bless CMM, Amen.”

~Simon Kadhume

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Send a couple to our Marriage Conference!

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:20:00 GMT

Dear Friends and Family:

During the past 12 years, every other July we have a 5 day marriage conference at CMM. For Debbie and I, this is one of our favorite conferences that we host. We get to witness and watch marriages changed, healed and restored right before our eyes. The pastors tell us that if their marriage is healed then their ministry is healed. We love the last night when we finish the conference with a banquet and each husband escorts his wife (all decked out in their finest) to the dining hall. We witness the week’s teachings surface in such joy and happiness and resolve from them to go and change other marriages of those they pastor.

“I have much to say but I am glad that as a young pastor I will be able to raise a generation that will respect family, taking care to their wife/husband/children.” Delegate

This year we are believing that God will fill up the center (145 couples). What is offered at these conferences with ministry, time, love and resources is enormous. It is definitely life and marriage changing and I wish all the pastors we know could experience this. The challenge for these pastors is the cost of the conference for 2 people, as well as 2X travel costs and then money needed for the family at home. This is too great for many of them. So this year we lowered the conference costs to make it more affordable. Our next step is to scholarship many of the wives so they can afford to come. We also hope to scholarship both husband and wife as well for some of the couples. Click here to Sponsor Now!

When we were in Rwanda for a regional meeting last year, the interest to come to our marriage conference was great. However for a husband and wife to travel to Nairobi is a 2 day trip and their cost is about $500.00 before any conference costs. While Pastor Chola was announcing this he told them that if any of them came that we would scholarship them. At the moment it is looking like 10 couples will be able to come from Rwanda! PTL!!

We are asking you to help us make this possible so that this year CMM (145 couples) will be FULL. About 80-90 couples will be able to attend with no help. The cost of a scholarship for one couple is $49.00 or that will help 2 wives to attend with their husbands. This amount pays for the conference, accommodations, food, etc. for both husband and wife for 5 days. This investment will extend into eternity with the affect it will have on so many. As these marriages are changed, then it extends to hundreds of churches and families. It is definitely worth such a small amount for such a huge return in your brothers and sisters in Africa! Will you help us make it possible for 1, 2, 3 couples to be able to attend or 2, 4, 6 wives sponsored so they and their husbands can attend?

We have already stepped out in faith and extended some scholarships based on your responding (Pastor Chola and I have faith in you).

Let’s believe for 145 couples! Click here to Sponsor Now!

Thank you in advance for your help.

Ronnie and Debbie

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June Update

Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:37:00 GMT

While we have been away…….

For the past 6-7 weeks I have been living in the chairs of 3 different dentists. As we return to Kenya I am still in healing mode but ready to get back to Kenya.

What has been such a blessing to us is all that has happened during our absence the past 2 months. Our staff (CMM) has worked alongside Good Works Now/Nations Training Institute, Crossing Boundaries and Dee Levens Ministries to help bless hundreds of pastors with great Bible teaching in 4 different regional meetings (Dee Levens had 476 pastors in one regional), help facilitate a graduation for Nations Bible Institute, and help build a greenhouse and plant vegetables in one village. In conjunction with Crossing Boundaries and Good Works Now, villagers who had to walk several miles for water in a drought stricken area now have a water well in their town as well as a solar operated generator and holding tank for the water.

While all this has been going on we have also been completing some projects at CMM that we will show in the next update.

THE NEXT 8 WEEKS!!!!!

June 22-26….Next Monday we are expecting 500+ pastors for our next leadership conference. Since the container did not make it for the March conference, the excitement that the books have now arrived is at a high level. Mark and Sandy Jobe, Steve and Marci Fish, Travis Matheny, Emerson Rickstrew and others will be joining us for another great conference. Please add this to your prayer list this week.

July 8-9….A couple of weeks after the conference we will be holding a regional meeting in Kampala, Uganda where they are expecting a huge number of pastors.

July 20-24…We will be hosting one of our favorite conferences, the Marriage Conference. We are expecting our largest number of couples and the anticipation for this conference is sky high.

August 10-14….Two weeks after the Marriage Conference is the youth conference, Count Me In. This one is not for the faint of heart and if you are over 40 you better be ready to have a work out.

During the first part of July, Ben Moore and his brother Terry will be spending 2 weeks giving CMM a paint and repair makeover. We have 200 gallons of paint on hand that is ready.

Once again, when you are praying for Mission Barnabas and CMM would you ask God for His blessings and favor on all these upcoming meetings. So many lives are about to be changed.

We can only do what we do because of you doing what you do. God bless you for your faithfulness!

Ronnie and Debbie Matheny

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A glorious start to 2015

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:00:00 GMT

S ince arriving in Kenya a few weeks ago equipped with funds and resources to start another exciting year of ministry, we have started off at a fast pace. We have purchased a new van, held 4 regional meetings, finished a wonderful conference and cleared and unloaded the container. Between the regional meetings and conference we have already encouraged, equipped and empowered over 1500 pastors and leaders. What a year this will be!

Last week we finished our first conference of 2015 and once again it is hard to describe how powerful and awesome it was. The depth of teaching was so evident as we had a combined 500+ years of ministry represented between all the speakers. We hosted 23 guests from different places across the States and speakers in age from 14-89 years old. Many thanks to Dr. Charles Green, Dick Dungan and Jim Macchi and their team of 11 from Nebraska; along with Paul and Teresa Koehler, Murphy and Twila Matheny, Travis Matheny, Dr. John Stanko and Rick Montgomery. We had 600 pastors and leaders from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan, Congo and Zambia.

I don’t remember in all the previous conferences if we have ever had so many attacks and challenges in one conference. One of the speakers for the women had to fly home a few days after arriving due to a family emergency. Our apartment flooded 3 times due to a faulty hot water heater. It soaked some of the guest’s suitcases, carpets soaked, wood floors buckled as well as no hot water at our apartment. The key to the van came up missing and as it was locked, we had to have a locksmith come and make new keys. Another speaker for the women had to be taken to the hospital on the last day of the conference. She was there for about 5 hours undergoing a battery of tests. One of the young men who came with a group of fathers and sons from Nebraska fell through one of the bunk beds (he was showing some of the guys some wrestling moves) and ripped open his chin all the way to the bone. A doctor with the group went to the local hospital, bought what he needed and came back to CMM and stitched up his chin. The container arrived at CMM on Saturday after the pastors left on Friday. One of our drivers had a minor fender bender during one trip to CMM. I think this is enough to give you an idea of the challenges.

However, on Friday morning after the conference many of us took an hour or so and read the testimonies. After hearing what all happened in the lives of these men and women of God, we knew then why this conference was so attacked. In the end, God’s servants were healed, delivered, taught, filled and refilled. As one pastor wrote …” We are looking forward to the next meeting, perspiring with passion, ignited with hope, re-fired by the treasure we got here, equipped and ready for God’s work”!

Testimony after testimony had us laughing, crying, praising and rejoicing over what God had done. So many were helped, encouraged and empowered. Like many of them say in their testimonies, they will never be the same again. May God be glorified for the great things He has done.

Last Saturday the container arrived at CMM. We were believing for several miracles, one of them would be that Kenya Customs would have favor on us and not try and find any and everything to add extra duty to as was done last year. Our agent talked with the customs official at the port and explained what all the goods were going to be used for. Then an answer to prayer happened. The customs lady said she would add no more duty that what we had already paid and said the final bill would be $600.00! Last year the final bill was several thousand dollars.

Then when we unloaded it, everything was in tact, nothing broken and nothing stolen. We went out yesterday to start sorting and it was like Christmas. We now have on hand thousands of Bibles and books, hundreds of brand new concordances, 200 gallons of paint, a new riding lawn mower, power washer, air compressor, sound equipment, computers, guitars and new boots for all our guards and casual workers. We gave out the boots to our staff and new sweat shirts for their children, gave guitars to pastors, a sound system and keyboard to a pastor and church. It was like watching everyone open presents on Christmas morning and smiles and God praises, hand shakes and hugs everywhere.

Once again we must say it, we could not do this without all the giving, prayers, encouragement and support that you provide. Your reservoir in heaven just got a little fuller in the past few weeks for what you have provide for your brothers and sisters in Africa!

Ronnie and Debbie

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How 2015 Has Already Blown Me Away!

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:42:00 GMT

A new year has begun and 2015 looks to be one of our best yet. We are so thrilled to report that many of the goals we challenged you with at the banquet, visits, sharing, email, etc., has been met! The response at our November banquet was so strong as well as the response from the churches we visited, including general response from MB supporters. The funds have come in or have been pledged in order to provide for the pastors through regional meetings, conferences and resources. The funds to purchase a van, buy resources, ship and clear the container and provide for regional meetings and conferences are in the bank! There are still some projects that we hope to accomplish in improvements and upgrades and will trust the Lord for those funds as the year progresses. We will also be challenging you soon with helping us provide scholarships for married couples for the July marriage seminar.

Last week we purchased a van for CMM. God, along with Ritchie Kabugi, helped us locate a great van for the money. It has taken about a week to get the paperwork, tags, insurance, etc. but it is now at our apartment. We leave on Monday morning early for a 6 day trip to 3 different cities and all our team, plus equipment, gifts and baggage will fit nicely. It has a great sound system and A/C throughout. Check out the pictures and choose your seat for when you visit.

Regional Meetings

Our team will be in western Kenya this week at 3 different cities for regional meetings. There is one rest/travel day in the middle so please say an extra prayer during the week as you think about us. We will post updates along the way on Facebook.

March Conference

Next month will be our first conference of 2015. The excitement is always so high for the first conference of a new year. We have 20 guests coming from the States and are expecting God’s anointing and blessing to change hundreds of lives during that 5 days.

2015 Schedule

Several of you request to know when we have different events planned throughout the year. We have attached a flyer that we just produced to give out to pastors so they can plan which conference they will attend. Check it out HERE .

Happy New Year

May God grant each of you His blessings of protection, prosperity, peace, health and healing throughout this year and may He enlarge the borders of your tent as you have helped us enlarge His Kingdom in Africa.

Ronnie and Debbie

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$10,000 in Books Given to Mission Barnabas!

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 17:12:00 GMT

As most of your are aware, there is a lady in Bedford, Texas, that collects, buys, shops stores and garage sales to find books and Bibles for the pastors. She has become known as the ‘Bible Lady’.

I wanted to share an email that I got from her recently . “I went to Mardels on the first of Sept as usual, I only found one $5 book I could use. Cliff, the manager, motioned for me follow him up to the front of the store and said he had something to give to me. I was amazed to see 20 or 30 boxes of books with a sign on them saying “books for African pastors”. I was totally speechless for a few minutes. I finally asked him how many I could have and he said “all of them”. I hope I thanked him for I was just overwhelmed…

There were 570 small hardback Holman iLLUSTRATED bIBLE hANDBOOKS PRICED AT $17.99 WHICH COMES OUT TO $10,260.”

WOW….what a blessing this will be to have so many of the same type of study books. Many times we want to bless the pastors at the regional meetings with resources but it is difficult to have Bibles or books just alike. This will be fantastic.

Thanks Barbara and Mardel for thinking of these African pastors and may both of you experience many blessings in all you set your hands to do.

Resources ready by December

This year we are planning on shipping the container in December. If you have books, Bibles, computers, phones, keyboards, guitars, etc. then we would love to ship them to Africa. We are also needing a professional keyboard for our worship team as well as some nice sofas, chairs and executive desk for several offices.

Please keep us in mind as you run across items that a pastor could put to good use.

Blessings,

Ronnie and Debbie

Next week: the Annual Mission Barnabas Banquet!

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What African Pastors Say After a CMM Conference

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 20:53:00 GMT

Before we begin…

We need to let you know that our Annual Banquet is fast approaching on November 6th!

The evening is free to attend but RSVP is required! Would you please take 2 minutes to click the button and let us know that you will be joining us? We can’t wait to see you!

Another awesome conference….

We just recently finished another leadership conference at CMM. Once again several hundred pastors and leaders were blessed, encouraged, healed, equipped and sent out renewed to take their church to the next level. Thanks to several great speakers that gave all they had to such hungry pastors. Thanks Pastor Dwayne Higgason, Pastor Travis Matheny, Dee Levens, Pastor Joel Chola and Pastor Ken Kamau for such great ministry.

I was once again so blessed by having a larger pavilion and all the pastors had plenty of room and no one sat outside. The dining facility that fed all the pastors in record time was so wonderful. CMM’s own bed and breakfast, the Jewel House, was so relaxing and made it possible to teach refreshed. All of this was possible because of such tremendous giving on your part. Blessings to you and your family!

As always, it is best to let the pastors tell you how the conference went:

“At the ends of the earth”

“The conference has been thought provoking, relevant and consistent. The books have been helpful, especially where I have been ministering, “at the ends of the earth”. Books and other resources are rare and scarce, no library or information, no electricity, water, roads or communication, so books are “as good as Gold”. Jim Makau

“Defied his age”

”The grand old Ronnie stole the show by his humorous and theatrical presentation that defied his age. Pastor Higgason is a teacher in his own right and is ready to listen to questions and answered with ease. Travis Matheny in his typical Texas style taught a very difficult subject and delivered.” Z. Wahome

“An inch deep”

”Professor MBithi has said that in Africa Christianity is growing a thousand miles wide but an inch deep. This place (CMM) is a solution to Prof. MBitti’s concern.” Pst. S. Luyiga

“Moved thousands of miles”

”I am thankful for the inspiration of the concordance book I received. I believe my ministry has moved thousands of miles with such knowledge imparted. Thank you.” M. Mygangi

Quick Notes:

Blessings,

Ronnie and Debbie

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What I Saw in Rwanda

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:21:00 GMT

After 11 years and much pleading from the pastors, CMM has now made our first visit to Rwanda. I wasn’t expecting so many things to be different than Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, but Rwanda is so different than the rest of East Africa.

This picture was shot outside the church where we held the regional meeting.

Also, Kigali is known as the cleanest and safest city in the world. And to top it off, they drive on the right hand side of the road and the steering wheel in the cars are in the correct place!

We have never been welcomed to a place like we were at Kigali. We were met by a delegation of about 15 pastors and leaders and to top if off I was given a large bouquet of flowers. We were then in a small motorcade to the Serena Hotel where we were received and introduced to our hosting team and then shared about our vision for the meetings.

Over the past few conferences we have had a delegation of pastors (15-20) at each conference. Each time they have met with us and practically begged us to bring our teachings to their country. I did not realize just how much it was costing these pastors in time and money to attend a conference. I asked them about coming to CMM and found out it takes 2 full days of travel by bus. Also, they have to overnight on the way (hotel costs) and of course food and drink. Their costs just to get to CMM is approximately 15,000/=KSH or $170.00. Then there is the cost for the conference, 2,000/=KSH or $23.00. (We are working on how we can scholarship the Rwandas since it costs so much for them to attend). I anticipate several more from there since our regional meeting and a good number are wanting to attend the marriage conference next July.

You can see why they wanted us to come to them as the average pastor cannot afford to make such an expensive trip. They also pressured us to open a CMM office in Kigali. They also want us to return at least once a year for regional meetings.

To say that it was easy to preach and teach is an understatement. They pulled it out of us (Pastor Chola also spoke). They asked on the first day if we could take questions at some point. When we did, the rest of the time was taken answering questions to the point where we were hustling to make our flight back to Kenya.

Thanks again to those who gave extra so that we could provide lunch both days for these pastors. Food is very expensive as Rwanda is land locked and depends heavily on imports. It is also more expensive due to travel costs. However, due to your help, we were able to provide a full buffet both days. It looked like a buffet at the uptown hotels. I have never seen plates of food piled so high. I wish you could have seen it for yourself.

Then to top everything off, two pastors made the trip from Burundi (neighboring country), a day’s journey, to talk to us about coming to Burundi. They were representatives of a large pastor’s fellowship and have promised hundreds of leaders if we will come. So next year…Burundi.

After we go to Burundi, then we will have held regional meetings in all five of the East African nations. This was part of our original vision and is nearing fulfillment.

Again, thanks for all your prayers and support.

Ronnie and Debbie

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Rwanda Here we Come!

Thu, 21 Aug 2014 13:13:00 GMT

For the last 2 years we have had many pastors attending our conferences from Rwanda. Their requests for us to come and do a regional meeting in their country has now reached a fevered pitch! The 2nd week in September Mission Barnabas will be hosting 2 day regional meeting into Rwanda – our first time there! The organizers are predicting over 500 pastors to attend as the need for our type of ministry there is great. The desire to go to Rwanda has been on my heart for over 2 years and now the dream is happening!

After looking at the remaining budget we have for this missions year, we do not have all the funds to make this happen as it is more expensive than most due to the distance of travel and the costs of food. We have the funds for our team to travel to Rwanda and bring the resources needed for an amazing conference. What we are lacking is the finances to feed the pastors who will come. The number of Pastors we can minister to is only limited by the number we can afford to feed. Here is the amazing thing – we can feed a pastor for 2 full days for only $4!

This is where you come in – would you consider sponsoring a group of Rwandan pastors for 2 days of intense and life-changing impartation?

So I am asking you to believe with us for a powerful meeting and also to consider helping us make it happen for as many Rwandan pastors as possible.

Will you help us do this? Just CLICK HERE then select the number of pastors you would like to sponsor and let’s make this happen!

Your Representative to Rwanda,
Ronnie

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What a Team!

Sat, 26 Jul 2014 16:49:00 GMT

Eleven years ago this month God began to stir the call for Debbie and me to move to Africa. One of the points for our mission is found in 2 Timothy 2:2… “pass on what you have heard from me…to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others.”

We see this mission being fulfilled over and over, but recently my heart was so blessed to see it take place in our main leadership team. Debbie and I needed to be in the States for the month of June to attend a conference and 50 ^th year celebration of the church, college and fellowship that we were involved in for many years. It was a great opportunity to renew friendships and to spread the word about Africa.

Mark Your Calendar

Be sure and mark your calendar for the Mission Barnabas banquet on November 4 ^th from 6:00PM-9:00PM. You will see updates along the way giving you more details but the planning is underway and as usual it will be great food, reports and updates, etc.

June Testimonies

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From Matuu with Love!

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 16:37:00 GMT

June was just an incredible month at Mission Barnabas/CMM!
It started when we took a small team to the city of Matuu about 2 hours north of Nairobi. Over 200 pastors and leaders from the region were there for a full day of training. To our surprise we discovered that about 80% of them had not heard of CMM before. We realized that recently we have been doing regional meetings further and further from Nairobi and that the need is still great right in our own back yard. After hours of teaching from Pastor Joel Chola and Travis Matheny, pastors were invited to CMM the following week to attend the June CMM Pastors Conference. We had many respond and join us the next week.

We ended June with several amazing days. We had full day devoted to refreshing and building up our CMM staff. We were able to visit Joy Divine Home for Boys and bless them with a brand new refrigerator! And we were there to preach the dedication service as a local church opened a new building ~ wow, what a month!
Thank you so much for the prayers and support you send to Mission Barnabas – the part you play makes it all possible, and we are so grateful!

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Halfway There!

Tue, 27 May 2014 15:06:00 GMT

I realized the other day the we are just over half way through this mission’s year. I began to go over what all has happened in the first 6 months and then what is happening the last 6 months. I had several responses….exhilaration, excitement, joy, exhaustion, faith and anticipation!

Here is what has happened…..first 6 months….

Note: Total number of leaders that were touched, encouraged, empowered… over 2700!!

Here is what is on the horizon for the next 6 months….

It is so difficult to communicate by email, FB, etc. all that we see God doing. Debbie and I are constantly hearing testimonies from the pastors, having our necks hugged by joyful leaders that are so grateful. We see their smiles and appreciation for all the resources they have been given and the training and the hope that is renewed in their hearts. When this happens we both feel that we are receiving all this on your behalf and are your representatives in Africa. We wish so many times that many of you could see their faces and feel the spirit of faith that has been reborn in them.

Between what you do and what we do, as a team we have witnessed 2700 leaders go to the next level these past 6 months. If we stopped the year right here, it would already be very successful. However there are still 6 more months…Hallelujah ! Let’s do it!

Ronnie and Debbie

PS…some of you have asked that we send out a statement of what you pledged and what you have given every 6 months to help you track it. In lieu of doing that let this be a reminder to check on it.

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New CMM Album Released!

Mon, 05 May 2014 19:02:00 GMT

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800+ Pastors at Conference!

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 11:17:00 GMT

This is hard to do….trying to describe all that happened in the pastor’s conference at CMM last week. Over 800 pastors and leaders from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Congo and South Sudan attended. Once the dormitory was full, the pastors slept in the classrooms and after that the only place left to sleep was under a tent on a cot. When we told them we were full and the only thing left was a tent and a cot, not one pastor declined. So we had approximately 120 pastors on cots under tents.

So what should I attempt to describe to you from last week? Maybe the easiest way would be to list some of the week’s highlights and you choose. Such as…

I must also thank a great line up of teachers and preachers that totally took the pastors to a new level: Steve Fish, Paul and Teresa Kohler, Dee Levens, Travis Matheny, Rick Montgomery, Billy Bank and Dr. John Stanko. The teaching and ministry from these speakers has helped changed many leaders and therefore will change the church.

Many pastors have already paid their deposit for June and so we pass the baton to the next conference with a shout of triumph from hundreds of pastors and a heartfelt thank you to many of you that helped make all this possible.

~ Ronnie and Debbie

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Remember the A-Team?

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 15:09:00 GMT

A Great Team…..

Today I sat down for a few minutes in my recliner to take a break. I began to think of all that was going on with all our team as we get ready for several great events. What is about to be accomplished is because we have great team leadership and the “sons in the house” are making it happen.

I am looking forward to March 17 when we will have some down time to begin to download all that happened and what God has done. It is because we have such a great group of dedicated servants that make it happen . Go team and let the party begin!!

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Sponsorships are HERE!

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 20:03:00 GMT

If you were at our banquet in November you heard the special announcement that Mission Barnabas would now be offering supporters the chance to send an individual pastor to a conference .

Well, that day is here!

If you have not been to Kenya and seen the need for yourself then it is hard for us to explain just what a difference attending a CMM Conference makes in the life a desperate leader. For many pastors the cost of transportation and conference fees are equal to a full month’s pay and the pastors that we invite to attend on scholarship are typically unable to come without help from someone like you.

During the course of their week at CMM they were given 4-5 nights’ accommodations, 12 meals, over 20 sessions of training, hundreds of dollars worth of study materials, books, bibles and resources and much more. The average pastor who comes through our gates leaves talking about how this week was like nothing they ever imagined to be possible , much less thought that they would encounter. They will take this importation and multiply it in their churches and communities and the blessing will spread exponentially.

For only $49 you will enable this experience for a rural African Pastor. Once the conference is over, you will receive a letter from the pastor you sponsored so that you can learn a little about the pastor, view their picture and read the testimony letter that they wrote to you as their sponsor.

To get started just CLICK HERE

Thank you for being willing to step up and facilitate the CMM experience for this pastor. May God richly bless you!

Ps. Once you finish checking out make sure to click on the Facebook “Recommend” button so that we can all spread the word!

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30 Glorious Days Ahead!

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 16:27:00 GMT

During the next 30 days, we will witness several wonderful and glorious events and developments. The ministry opportunities are enormous. The completion of several projects is happening as well. Please add the next 30 days for CMM and MB to your prayer list and rejoice with us as we send victorious reports.

Here is what lies ahead:

Please ask God for His blessings on these things when you think of it. This will be one of the most challenging times of the year for making so many things happen but when I look at how many leaders we will have the opportunity to touch in the next 30 days…then ‘ Let Ministry Begin’ !

Ronnie and Debbie

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Bring on 2014!

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 15:33:00 GMT

From America with love –

On Saturday, Jan. 11, a large group of volunteers graciously and fervently helped us load, pack and send a 40 ft. sea container filled with resources and blessings to Africa! It contains approximately 15,000 Bibles, books and literature, 600 concordances, computers, sound equipment, over 100 cots, shoes, kitchen equipment, guitars, etc. Many pastors and leaders are about to be blessed along with CMM which is receiving some much needed equipment. Thanks to all you that helped us with this enormous task and those that have given most of what is being shipped over. Please believe with us that it will arrive before our next conference.

Another building project has started –

We have decided to enlarge the pavilion at CMM as well as wall in 3 sides. It will almost double the seating capacity and make it much more comfortable especially in the “winter” season. The contractor says we will be able to have our March conference in our new pavilion. Wow! The pastors are in for a great surprise when they arrive.

Let’s do it again in 2014 –

As you can tell from what is written above we are off and running for another year of taking it to the next level in 2014. Debbie and I leave in about a week to return and before the conference in March we will be doing 2 large regional meetings. The first one will be on the south coast region of Mombasa and the other one will be a 2 day mini-conference in Kampala, Uganda. Both of these regions have been begging us for quiet some time and preparations are in full swing for 2 great meetings. The ministry over the next 2-3 months should encompass several thousand leaders along with enlarging the pavilion and clearing the sea container.

Then comes the March conference –

The expectation for this conference will be through the roof after we have had 2 large regional meetings, an enlarged pavilion and the fact that it has been 6 months since we have held a conference. Then you add to that, Pastor Steve Fish, Dr. John Stanko, Pastor Travis Matheny, Evangelist Billy Banks, Dee Levens (teacher) and Ronnie Matheny….. then that place will be on fire and exploding. Then there is the rest of the year….June 2.0 conference, regional meeting in Tanzania, July School of Destiny, August Count Me In, September Leadership Conference, Nov. 4th Mission Barnabas Banquet.

Bring on 2014! Ronnie & Debbie

See image gallery at www.missionbarnabas.us

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