NEWS - May to October 2007

Introducing Joshua Mina Elisha Rizk!

Congratulations to Fr. Elisha (the priest serving at the St-Mina Monastery in Kenya) and his wife Manal for their firstborn baby boy, Joshua Mina, born on June 26th, 2007. God bless you all!

MSNBC Interview with Bishop Paul

Taken after the President's Speech on HIV/AIDS - 5/30/2007

 Click here for Video of the Interview

Coptic Church Honored by President Bush at the White House

Hope Center praised in speech by the President.

Click here for video of the speech.

From the President's speech... 

"You know, one good example of this good work is supported by -- that the U.S. supports is called the Coptic Hope Center in Nairobi, Kenya. Three years ago, the center had a staff of four people, and resources to treat no more than five HIV/AIDS patients a day. Today, the staff consists of 40 people and 10 volunteers who provide care and treatment services to over 6,000 people. I want to thank the Director of the Hope Center, Bishop Paul, who's with us today. I want to thank you for being here. I want to thank you for your leadership and for your care for your fellow human beings" (Read full article)

Sabatia - A Story from the Mission Field

This article is written by a deacon, Joseph Odera who is staying at the monastery of St-Mina in Maseno and is attending the St-Athanasious Theological School.

One morning – I believe it was Wednesday the 14th of March – after our morning liturgy, Fr. Elisha made an announcement to all the deacons that we were going on a little mission trip. We had no idea where we were going, or what God had in store for us.

We were a group of about 10 deacons that jumped into two vehicles with Fr. Elisha and the newly ordained Fr. Abraham. It was a hot and dusty day and we were sweating very much. The trip was about 45 minutes, most of which was on a dirt road. We were a bit nervous, since we didn’t know what to expect; so we didn’t stop praying and singing hymns the whole way.

The cars finally stopped at a village market known as Sabatia (near the Mumias sugar factory in the Western province). We stepped out of the cars, formed a circle, and began to pray and sing hymns. (Read the rest of the article)

The Mission in Zambia

By the Grace of God, we have been blessed to do many services in Lusaka, Zambia. The Coptic Mission has been in Zambia for about 20 years. During this time, the mission has grown into three churches, two hospitals, two Hope Centers for Infectious Diseases, and many churches growing in other surrounding communities. One of the three churches, St-George Coptic Orthodox Church, is located almost 40 km off the main road in Mungule Village. The churches are being served faithfully by Father Mark, who was ordained by H.H. Pope Shenouda III in 2002 and Father Abraham, who was ordained in February 2007 by His Grace Bishop Paul. (Click here to read about the Mission in Zambia)

The Mission in Nairobi, Kenya

The first Coptic Orthodox Church was established in Kenya in 1976. By the grace of God, it has grown tremendously year by year. Today Kenya has 29 churches, shepherded by eight priests and 160 deacons. The churches in Kenya have numerous projects and ministries, including a Coptic Hospital and Hope Center in Nairobi, an Orphans Project, a Street Children's project, a Theological School and much more.

Through the prayers and encouragement of H.H. Pope Shenouda, the service in Nairobi has been expanding and from the start of this year 2007, the church has been working through a verse in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:58. We have consistently applied this verse in the church through our various meetings: Sunday school, Junior class, two Youth meetings, Family meeting and the Holy Family meeting (newly married couples meeting). (Click here to read about the Mission in Nairobi, Kenya)