BILLERICAY METHODIST CHURCH

Our association with churches in Kenya

At the Methodist nursery school in Mombasa

It is 15 years since this church committed to a twinning arrangement with Wesley and Kongowea Methodist churches in Mombasa, Kenya.

This came about after a visit to Billericay by the Rev Margaret Bethel, who worked in Kenya for many years, first as a teacher and then as a minister.

The churches agreed to share news and pray for each other, and the 15th of each month was set as the day when the different congregations would remember their fellow Christians across the continents.

Billericay has offered financial support to the Mombasa churches and this has been primarily through sponsoring the education of students. Over the years, our church has paid for the training of a pharmacist and helped a minister complete his studies. We have also enabled eight children to receive secondary school education, leading most on to university or to vocational courses.

Other projects have included reconnecting the water supply to the Kongowea compound, repairs to the minister's manse, provision of bicycles for the nursery school and support for an infant feeding programme.

Margaret Bethel has travelled to Mombasa regularly, and parties from Billericay go there occasionally. Their tasks are to sustain links with the Wesley and Kongowea churches, assess local needs, and energise our supporters back in Billericay.