Joy and celebration filled the air at the A.C.K. Cathedral in Nyahururu on Sunday as hundreds of worshippers officially relocated to a newly constructed Sh150 million ultra-modern sanctuary.
More than 900 congregants took part in the procession from the old church building, which was no longer spacious enough to accommodate the growing membership.
The relocation was led by the Bishop of the A.C.K. Diocese of Makueni, Rt. Rev. Francis Matui, who was in Nyahururu for a week-long mega mission crusade hosted by his counterpart, Rt. Rev. Major (Rtd) Samson Gachathi of the A.C.K. Diocese of Nyahururu.
Delivering a sermon drawn from John 2:13–21, Bishop Matui urged the church to focus on nurturing the spiritual growth of congregants rather than drifting into the temptation of commercialising worship.
He reminded the worshippers that the scripture portrays people in the temple engaging in buying and selling rather than attending to God’s purpose, a trend he warned could easily replicate in modern churches.
“In this text, people were busy in the house of God not for the business of God but for buying and selling, which in other words is commercialisation of worship,” he said.
The bishop emphasised that when a church prioritises spiritual formation, all other aspects fall into place as the congregation receives God’s guidance.
He further called on church leaders to embrace all generations, particularly the youth, noting that a growing generational gap in worship styles is increasingly evident in many churches.
He cautioned that failure to intentionally accommodate young people in church services could drive them away, potentially exposing Kenyan churches to the same fate experienced in parts of the Western world, where once vibrant congregations have dwindled and some sanctuaries have been converted into commercial spaces.
Bishop Matui urged churches to adopt a holistic ministry that incorporates spiritual, social, and economic empowerment.
He said a healthy church must address all aspects of human life.
The bishop commended the leadership of the Nyahururu Cathedral, led by Provost Rev. John Ngenye, for initiating programmes such as Gospel Outreach, Annual Health Sunday, Hands of Mercy charity activities, and the Church Community Mobilisation Process (CCMP).
He said these initiatives demonstrate a commitment to impacting the community beyond the spiritual realm.
Rev. Ngenye, one of the pioneers of the cathedral’s construction, expressed gratitude for the unity and perseverance of the congregation, as well as the unwavering support from Bishop Gachathi.
He said the combined efforts of clergy and members enabled the successful completion of the sanctuary.
Bishop Gachathi had delegated the responsibility of presiding over the relocation ceremony to Bishop Matui as he attended another assignment given by Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit.
By Kimani Tirus
