When Pastor Simon Arunga began pastoring, he was only able to use messages he had heard from other pastors. He had never received any formal training, and was unequipped to pastor
efficiently. Then, he heard of a friend’s testimony, after going to Rhema. His friend had been delivered from a speech restraint, and while he was unable to form a proper sentence, he went to school at the Kisumu campus and was able to preach full messages immediately after. When we opened the Nairobi campus in 2017, Pastor Simon was among the first to join us. After graduating, he became the lead pastor of a church branch in Lwanda, Western Kenya. He discovered that in this town, the only reliable source of income was farming. He remembered learning in personal development class, “If you work with integrity and are the best at what you do, it will yield results.” He decided to do just that and start a fish farm, harvesting catfish and tilapia.
He started in 2021 and his first year, he saw no results and nothing profitable. He did not give up but rather held the attitude of “persistence and perfection.” He continued his business and three years later, in 2024, was named the best fish farmer in his subcounty. Then, this year, he was named the best fish farmer in his entire county. He credits his drive and determination to start the farm back to his classes at Rhema.
Pastor Simon is one of the many testimonies we have seen of people starting successful businesses and farms in their communities. It doesn’t just change their own families, but it encourages people around them to do the same thing. It brings up entire villages and counties. People are able to become self-sufficient, and help those around them, instead of relying on others to help themselves. This is part of the redemptive work of Christ. That he will bless the work of our hands. We want to see Christ’s redemptive work realized in all areas of society. Across all of East Africa, stories like this are possible. East Africans are able to bring up their own villages, counties and countries. We want to bring knowledge in every village and town in East Africa to empower people to change their lives and to change the lives of others around them. Pastor Simon is able to provide for his own family, the community around him, and inspire others to do the same. We want this to be the story in every area of society, across all of East Africa. We thank you for every part that you have played in making this happen. You are a part of a big change across all of East Africa.
