I got into Kenya last night. Michael and Casey got in at 6:30a this morning. They flew all night but did great (with the help of a few lattes) staying up. We pretty much chilled all day.
Tonight we went to Pastor Don and Amy Matheny’s house for some great barbecue. It was like being in Memphis! Casey was attacking the pork ribs like he had a pork deficiency.
Casey enjoying ribs
As you probably know, Leslie and I lived in Nairobi and served on staff under Pastor Don and Amy for three years and we were actually sent from Nairobi Lighthouse Church to plant our church in Memphis. So, in a way, coming to Nairobi is like coming home, especially being at the Matheny house. I feel like their kids are my little brothers and sisters! I got choked up tonight listening to a song their daughter Rebekah wrote about Africa (listen to a clip). It’s a song they’re singing in church. She’s on staff at the church, doing worship and writing killer songs for God! Then we watched a powerful video of a recent mission trip to Rwanda that their daughter Anna created and edited herself. I’m listening to the song, then watching the video getting emotional big time because of who and what these girls have become! When I stayed with Pastor Don and Amy that first summer way back, Anna was only 3 and Rebekah was like 5. Time has flown by and now these girls are leading the church. I love it. That’s the way it should be.
Anna, Krista, me, David, Rebekah
Pastor Don and Amy have invested the last 31 years in the nation of Kenya, they have led the same church (that they started) for nearly 20 years in the capital city of Nairobi, and most importantly, they have 6 great kids – 5 daughters and a son that love God, love and respect their parents, and they all love the church. That’s awesome! Even now I’m stirred up thinking about all that’s ahead for Leslie and me, hoping and believing that our lives can one day be marked with the same consistency, integrity and longevity.
Pastor Don storytelling
hey pastor john!
It’s so cool to hear what God is doing in Africa - i loved Rebekah’s song. What an awesome declaration of faith for their nation. What an honor to be linked with churches and people like that. We are all praying for you and know that God will use you in a significant, powerful way in the lives of spiritual leaders of Africa.
Hi Pastor John!
I’ve got giant goose bumps from Rebekah’s song clip! What a blessing for you to see the seeds that the Matheny family have sown into Africa, have matured and are now sowing into the upcoming generation through the vehicle of their own children! Very cool indeed!
Enjoy your travels and the people you get to connect with. We’re praying for you as you go from place to place.
Hi Pastor John,
We love reading your blog and seeing all that you guys are up to in Kenya. It’s great to see the pics of everyone as well.
Please tell Nelson and Jane and the Matheny’s hello for us.
We can’t wait to hear the awesome stories of what God has done when you return.
We’re praying for yall.
Love,
The Shacks
Hi Pastor John,i used to attend your college nights every friday, back in the day near nairobi university, i loved them and learnt a great deal, this my first time to visit your site, brought back awesome memories and its great to see you still remember your roots, and your great family, i now live in orlando florida, and just wanted to wish you and your family God’s very best this year, cheers kanyi
John:
Thanks for sharing this. Your remarks about Don’s intergrity, consistency, and fruit in the areas of life that really matter strike quite a chord. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to brush up against the Mathenys for even a short time know how accurate your sentiments are.
All the best to you, Leslie, and Life Church.
Andrew Coverdale
Louisville, KY
Hi John,
I was glad to see you back in Kenya. The website remined me of my sweet days in NLC. I am now in Boston and wish to visit you in Memphis soon. I was glad to see Pastor Don and Pastor Magangi’s photo. I miss NLC. NLC ” You are the best church I have ever been.” God Bless you all.
Thanks,
Philip
Hi,
I can almost say that I somewhat stumbled to this website. am now in Atl. Ga. and great memories and emotions are overwhelming me. I remember when Lighthouse became a phenomena and every youth wanted to be a part of it even me and I was in High school and could not always afford bus fare to Intercontinental Hotel Pastor Don,s worship and his guitar playing brought heaven down and we didn’t wonna live for home. I was not a member but visited when ever I could. May the Lord bless them esp. this year of open door to see their vision complete and to accomplish even greater things.
thanks,
jennifer
hi John ,wao , its wonderful to see what God is doing in and through you. i just “pumped ” in to your website , and it reminded me of the sweet old days with the youth ” breakthrough” meetings in Ufungamano house, near nairobi Uni.it was wonderful , expecially one night when you preached and we sung , “God, take me now and sent into the nations, as an ambassador for you”. i live in Germany , and i preach here and recently God opened the door to preach in spain too.
we are a fruit of your labour.we love you and say “ashanti sana”(thankyou). God bless you.
the photo of pastor matheny , wao cool ,brings all memories to us.what a man of God with much annoiting and intergrity. God bless Nairobi lighthouse church.
pastor don we love u
I would like to have some of pastor Don Mathen praching CD or DVD sermons.Where i can get and how?
Pastor Don,
Just a word to let you know, that YOU are my Hero, and I Love you.
Thanks for every thing.
May God Greatly bless you and your family.
Hope to see you soon
Ryan Maina
Hello
Pastor Don is the main main. I love him for his love for the Word of God and his burden for Africa and missionaries
I caught him on camera in church and uploaded it on youtube. Here he is clowning with his associate pastors and trying to reenact the scene after Jesus ascended to heaven and the disciples were left gawking behind. Very funny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4ibOxCCgvA
G
Hi Pastor John,
I was browsing the web and Bless God I ended up here. You were a great blessing at NLC, and whao! Pastor Don…hmhh…I am what I am today mostly because of the nurturing I received at NLC during my earlier years when I was a member and Cell Leader. I am now in Minnesota,US, and can stand testimony to the scripture that “train a child in the way he should go, and when He is old will not depart from it” Kudo’s to Pastor Don and his family. I have NEVER EVER found a church that came close to giving me the experience I had at NLC. WE LOVE YOU PR.DON & MS. AMY!!!!
Pastor Don and Pastor John,
Thank you for the wonderful foundations you guys laid in my life. I am yet to get people like you. May God continue using you and blessing the works of thy hands. Just moved in Arlington Texas and believing God for a church to settle in. I went to High Point and somehow felt that I need to go back there again
God bless you both, your wives and families (David’s Biggggg) and may God continue using you. I love your zeal for HIS WORD.
You guys are GREAT!!!!
My Love to Ms Leslie and Ms Amy
this message is for Susan chombo, just saw your posting and i guess this is the only viable way to communicate….utalii SB95
Hi Pr.Don and family,
Thank you for fathering us in such an awesome way and i pray that God will continually raise such fathers as you in this generation.You bless my heart.God bless you and your beautiful family
Hi it is fun to be one of the vistors on this site. God bless you for the wonderful work.
Amen.
when i go through this website, i can only testify that am blessed being a part of NLC because of the previledge of having spiritual mentors, something that people who have passed in your hands dearly miss.
i am glad that am still around to continue experiencing the move of God as i also grow in rebeccas cell to become part of the generation to run with the passion and zeal of God
i love you pastor Don and Ms. Amy for yielding to Gods call to Africa. probably it took you to leave your home to lead me to christ. Be blest
God has given Kenya a mighty visitation through Nairobi Lifghthouse Church. I thank God for all our Pastors and their wives. God has really been using them in our lives. TO HIM BE THE GLORY.
Nairobi Lighthouse Church is just the place to be.
Somewhere in the middle of a broken and empty world, is a Church that has boldly redefined GRACE. How can you expalin cells, encounters and SOL classes just to mention a few, in wholesome the VISION. Jesus has truly come near and dwelt among us in almost an unnoticed way.
Lots of love to you Pr. Don and Ms. Amy. Am truly thrilled by your sheer obedience to Christ. You are honestly delivering a message to a dark world which is thirsty for the truth.
I thank God for the foundation that Pastor Don and Ms. Amy Matheny laid on my life.I’ve lived in MO, MD, and PA and no church compares to NLC. I still quote giving scriptures that pastor Don taught us my wife wonders why I’m excited in giving tithes.
Thank god for the good works of pr Don and Amy,through the lords blessings and your spiritual leadership, many including myself continue to be blessed!….To ms Susan chombo,be blessed in all you do the lord is great,only shelter in christ!chawucha kwa ghwako lukundo.