The funeral of Bishop Ngala

On Wednesday, April 4th, we had the honour of attending the funeral service for the Bishop of the African Brotherhood Church, Bishop Nathan Ngala. It was an incredible gathering of over 4000 people at the Mitaboni ABC grounds. The day began with a procession from the Machacos head quarters to Mitaboni at 8:30 am. Choirs were already assembled and waiting as people arrived including church officials, national and local politicians, and even Kenya's president Kibaki. Canadian Baptists were well represented and we had the honor of being seated with the denominations canons next to the bishop's family, the bishop elect and the president.

The service was almost completely in KiSwahili with music from a representation of ABC choirs. CBM general secretary, Rev. Dr. Gary Nelson, shared the sermon that celebrated the bishops sixty years of servant leadership among the ABC and his visionary contribution to the global understanding of intregal mission (of which the ABC has become a world model). Many speeches were made from both religious and political guests celebrating the bishops long and full life (110 years of age, the bishop was born in 1897), and the impact of his leadership. The service concluded with a burial ceremony in the heart of the Mitaboni compound at 3pm. Thousands of children lined the road way as the bishops casket was taken to the burial site to the singing of Kiswahili hymns.

The funeral procession to the burial plot on the African Brotherhood Church's Mitaboni grounds was led by Bishop elect Timothy Ndambuki and the Canons of the ABC. The procession also included: CBM general secretary, Gary Nelson; CBM director of partnerships & Initiatives, Terry Smith; Carie Theological Seminary, Brian Stelck ; ACC&S leader, Julius Karanga (sp?); and the president of the Kenya Christian Council of Churches.