MUSTARD SEED FOUNDATION

Grant Application Required Submissions:

A. PROJECT PROPOSAL COVER FORM:

Please after responding to the narrative requirements as provided for in B below. Fill in all the information required in the application cover form below.

MUSTARD SEED FOUNDATION

GRANT APPLICATION COVER FORM

A. CONTACT INFORMATION

Applicant’s Name: PASTOR JOHN KINYANJUI WAMBIRU

Church Name: INDEPENDENT PENTECOSTAL FELLOWSHIP IN AFRICA, IPFA

Church Address: P.O BOX 9120 - 00200 NAIROBI- KENYA

PHONE: 020 2109945 FAX: NONE EMAIL: wambirujk@gmail.com

B. PROJECT INFORMATION

Purpose of Project: Economic empowerment of church faithful

Total amount requested in U.S. dollars: 5, 000 Total duration of project: 3 Years

When did/will the project start: June 2013

How did you become aware of MSF: through Mr. Kenneth Coleman, USA

My signature below confirms that my application is truthful and authentic. My signature also confirms that any potential funds awarded by the Mustard Seed Foundation will NOT be used for any political activities but will be used solely for the purposes stated on this application that are in fact charitable and religious in nature:

Signed May 3, 2013

C. MY PERSONAL FAITH STATEMENT

My names are Pastor John Kinyanjui Wambiru. I believe in God the almighty, whose only son Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. I believe in God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that divinely he came to save the world from the bondage of sin. He was God but took the form of a sinful man and dwelt among men as a servant.

I believe that God the father create d us in his own image, and that we have to work hard to ensure that those who believe in him remain committed and those who don’t or are in doubt are prayed for and encouraged to follow the teaching of the gospel. As a leader in the church, I believe my primary role is to lead by good example so that the rest may follow suit.

I know that the greatest commandment is to love to love the Lord my God, with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind as was directed by Jesus Christ (Mathew 22:37) I believe that in God’s name, everything is possible. That God knows all my needs and those of others, and if we seek his kingdom, all these things will be given to us by our side. (Luke 12:31)

I also believe that we have to be good and love one another jus t as Jesus Christ taught us. I believe I must work hard to let others understand the work of God and live together in a friendly environment. Loving one another as Jesus Christ commanded (John 15:17) I believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried and on the third day he resurrected from the dead. I believe he will come again and this is the rapture for the saints who shall be taken to heaven on the last day. I believe in salvation by faith and grace in the name of Jesus Christ.

I believe in water baptism, in the name of Jesus Christ and Baptism of the Holy Ghost. I believe in the resurrection of saints. I believe in the Holy Spirit as the seal of redemption. I believe in eternity and everlasting life for the saints and eternal condemnation and contempt for the wicked. I too believe that Jesus Christ being our role model, I should follow his examples and teach others to do the same. In doing so, I will contribute towards the kind of leadership God expects us to exercise in an effort to maintain the teachings Jesus Christ taught us.

As a church leader, I believe in wisdom guided by the wish of God. That -“a wise magistrate lends stability to his people, and the government of a prudent man is well ordered. As the peoples judge, so are his ministers, as the head of a city, its inhabitants. A wanton king destroys his people, but a city grows through the wisdom of its princess. I believe that sovereignty over the earth is in the hands of God who raises up on it the man of the hour. Sovereignty over man is in the hand of God who imparts his majesty to the ruler”

D. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Independent Pentecostal Fellowship in Africa Church Kibera branch was established at the height of the worst post election violence in early 2008. Kibera slum is the largest informal settlement in the entire Africa. The communities that live in Kibera slums comprise of four major ethnic groups popularly known as the Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya and Akamba.

These tribes have for a long time practiced traditional worship in sacred forests practicing unique customs and traditions. While many people among these communities have since become civilized, the very poor in slums still uphold old traditions and customs.

The Christian churches that accessed Kibera slums have worked very hard to date to spread Christianity and win souls to Christ.

Due to adverse poverty in the slums coupled up with rampant immorality, ignorance and the culture of gang violence there has been little focus on formal education for the locals, making those who live outside Kibera slums more preferred for jobs in the job market. Through their lifestyle Kibera slum residents have locked themselves out of the mainstream economy. The youth get tempted to find easy and cheap ways of making quick money which is manifested in acts of Islamic fundamentalism, militia group etc.

Independent Pentecostal Fellowship in Africa Church has a registered membership of 350 followers. We estimate about 100 extra who are not officially registered with the church, but fellowship with us from time to time. Most of the members of the church live in the 10 Kibera slum villages namely; Kianda, Soweto, Gatwekera, Kisumu Ndogo, Lindi, Laini Saba, Siranga, Makina and Mashimoni.

Those who are lucky earn their living by providing basic casual labour in the nearby industries, but the earnings are not sufficient to cater for the daily needs of their families. Some of them supplement these meager earnings with small-scale petty businesses like selling vegetables and fruits on the pavements.

Independent Pentecostal Fellowship in Africa Church has done a lot to win as many souls to Christ in Kibera Slums as possible. Expectations for immediate change in livelihood are however very high. Some are not patient enough because of their pressing needs.

They turn back to immoral activities like prostitution, drug abuse, and begging in the streets. This has increased the spread of diseases like HIV / AIDS and also crime. The church emphasizes on morality and investment in education for youth, but lacks financial support needed for basic things like upkeep for the families, money for school fees and uniform, books etc. in order to contain their children from the obvious temptations to fall out of the schooling system for gang membership.

Current church activities in addition to our Sunday and mid week services include:

Reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ using different strategies which include preaching and teaching inside the Church, one to one evangelism, house to house, holding crusades among different communities, sending out ministries to witness, organizing discipleship classes for those who come to faith among many other activities.

Primary education sponsorship now with 94 High school students. Small scale support to self help groups by church members to earn an income for

their households.

E. PROJECT SUMMARY/PURPOSE OF THE GRANT

As highlighted in the background information above, there is high need to support members of the church to find ways of supporting themselves economically as a complementary build up to their faith. The church has engaged on an economic empowerment programme that seeks to empower families through a revolving fund scheme.

We have a three year plan targeting 79 households for revolving funds.

The targeting is based on the bible study groups done through home sells. We currently have a total of 7 active home sells. Each home cell has nominated 2 households making a total of 14 households. An additional 3 beneficiaries have been included from the orphaned youth head of households making a total of 17 beneficiaries in the first phase. The strategy is to support these 17 households already engaged in small scale business but lack enough capital to enable them save for vital cash needs like supporting their children’s education. And 17 households not currently engaged in business but have shown willingness to start-up. Those supported to start up will trade alongside the ones already engaged for purpose mentorship to avoid any chance of midstream failure in the start up ventures.

Each of these families will be given KES 26,145 an equivalent of 315USD for their respective businesses. All those registered families in this revolving loan program have been saving with the church each month and out of this US$340 have been realized, ( US $ 20 per member). The loans shall be given at an annual interest of 10% to be debited direct in lump-sum from the principal loan at the time of disbursement. The interest applicable of 10% is still lower than the interest charged by local banks currently 27% p.a. and the cheapest micro –finance institutions currently charging 24%. The loans are to be paid in 6 months installments beginning the fifth month after commencement of businesses (November 2013 should we disburse the loans in June 2013 as anticipated). Loan money will be used to buy merchandise to be sold. Some of the businesses identified by those who have joined the group include buying and selling of fruits and vegetable, fish, clothing, traditional artifacts, retail kiosks for household consumable goods and charcoal.

The Church members started a saving scheme called ‘’Born Again Network in Kenya” (B.A.N.K) in November 2012 for business development. Every targeted household presented the woman (mother) as the head of the household hence the custodian of the business. To date the “B.A.N.K” has saved a total of US$.340 i.e 20 US $ per beneficiary. The church in its part has set aside Ksh.249,000 (US$3000) this year and every year for the other two years ( 2014 and 2015) to boost this effort to make the project a success.

We are appealing to the Mustard Seed Foundation to support the church in making this project work with an investment of US$5,000 - US $3000 in 2013, US$1,500 in 2014 and US$500 in 2015 to fully establish this revolving loan scheme for our church.

We have been praying and hoping that we don’t fail to assist the faithfuls after putting such an effort to save for the project. We therefore would like to appeal to mustard seed Foundation to support this noble initiative, so that these convert’s dreams of being self sustaining can be achieved. From June 2013, the second group of 28 new members has started weekly meeting to save for loans that will be disbursed in 2014. The third group of 34 members is being mobilized to begin weekly meetings to begin savings for 2015 loans.

F. LOCAL CHURCH INVOLVEMENT

The Independent Pentecostal Fellowship in Africa Church leadership has been fully touched by the plight of the poor members in our midst and is ready to do something to help. The church office shall serve as the administrative center of the project. Church members shall provide human resource. There will be no special persons hired to work for the project, hence no salaries will be paid under the project. The human resource shall comprise businessmen and women in the church, those that have the potential and the capacity to provide leadership to the program. The local church will also pull resources together through offerings, tithes and functions like hosting wedding services ceremonies for pay to ensure sustainability of the project.

The pastor and the church development committee have formed a management structure that will offer service to all members. The setup structure ensures that every person’s problem is addressed amicably and clearly tackled to the interest of the project continuity.

Church members will participate in the monitoring of the project through discussions at their Bible studies done through home sells, outreach evangelism and home visitation. Our objective is to use economic empowerment as a tool and means for outreach missions and also a response to people’s needs as well.

Therefore, as members of the church reach out for missions, they also talk good, to the community about the program. We earlier noted that an empty stomach cannot listen to the word of God. James cautions Christians that it is good to response to people’s needs instead of telling them, “Let it be good with you, God bless you, which is very negative response according to James. Action speaks louder than words and faith without action is equally dead” (James 2:14-26).

IPFA CHURCH 2013 BUDGET / 2012 FINANCIAL REPORT

INCOME 2013 2012

Balance from previous year

Tithe

Sunday service offerings

Other service offerings

Donations in kind from well wishers

Fundraising

Newsletter sales

Nursery School project

84

9,700

4,100

2,500

3,300

4,500

2,300

1,700

73

8,800

3,710

1,790

3,700

4,100

1,200

1,440

Total 28,184 24,813

CHURCH EXPENDITURE

Salaries and wages for 6 workers for 12 months.

Utilities (electricity )

Books and Stationary

Church transport expenses

Investment into the Nursery School

Investment into B.A.N.K Revolving fund scheme

6,900

2,450

4,700

3,350

2,474

3,000

6,600

2,450

3,800

3,150

3,200

613

Communication

Guest Entertainment / Refreshments

Miscellaneous

2,410

2,450

630

2,270

2100

630

Totals 28,184 24,813

PROJECT BUDGET

INCOME (US $ ) 2013 2014 2015

Savings by the targeted Group members

Church Matched contribution

Loan Repayment

Interest Cash Earned from loans

Mustard Seed Foundation Grant

340

3,000

-

524

3,000

560

3,000

4,190

868

1,500

680

3,000

6,943

1,052

500

Total 6,864 10,118 12,175

EXPENDITURE ( US $ ) 2013 2014 2015

Direct Loans to members

Training

Administration costs

- Stationary

- Communication

- Licensing for the businesses

- Computer desktop for the project

5,238

250

174

135

507

230

8,678

350

210

140

675

-

10,517

450

243

175

725

-

- Printer

Miscellaneous

265

65

-

65

-

65

Total 6,864 10,118 12,175

D. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

Names and contacts of church's governing members (Elders/Deacons, Church Council, etc.) attached for ease of reference.

1. Pastor John Kinyanjui Wambiru - Senior Pastor

2. Pastor James Ole Ntunya – Head of discipleship

3. Phoebe Owino - In-charge economic empowerment

4. Pastor Jack oketch

5. Pastor John Muya Maina

6. Simeon Ugina – Elder

Attachment 1: Copy of IPFA church Registration Certificate and building

IPFA CHURCH TENETS OF FAITH

1.We believe in one eternally existent, infinite God, Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe; that He only is God, [creative and administrative,] holy in nature, attributes, and purpose[;]. The God who is holy love and light [that He, as God,] is Triune in essential being, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead; that He was eternally one with the Father; that He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary, so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say the Godhead and manhood, are thus united in one Person very God and very man, the God-man.

We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that He truly arose from the dead and took again His body, together with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith He ascended into heaven and is there engaged in intercession for us.

3. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Triune Godhead, that He is ever present and efficiently active in and with the Church of Christ, convincing the world of sin, regenerating those who repent and believe, sanctifying believers, and guiding into all truth as it is in Jesus.

4. We believe in the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, by which we understand the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, in errantly

revealing the will of God concerning us in all things necessary to our salvation, so that whatever is not contained therein is not to be enjoined as an article of faith.

5. We believe that sin came into the world through the disobedience of our first parents, and death by sin. We believe that sin is of two kinds: original sin or depravity, and actual or personal sin.

6. We believe that Jesus Christ, by His sufferings, by the shedding of His own blood, and by His death on the Cross, made a full atonement for all human sin, and that this Atonement is the only ground of salvation, and that it is sufficient for every individual of Adam’s race. The Atonement is graciously efficacious for the salvation of [the irresponsible] those incapable of moral responsibility and for the children in innocence but is efficacious for the salvation of those who reach the age of responsibility only when they repent and believe.

7. We believe that repentance, which is a sincere and thorough change of the mind in regard to sin, involving a sense of personal guilt and a voluntary turning away from sin, is demanded of all who have by act or purpose become sinners against God. The Spirit of God gives to all who will repent the gracious help of penitence of heart and hope of mercy that they may believe unto pardon and spiritual life.

8. We believe that justification is the gracious and judicial act of God by which He grants full pardon of all guilt and complete release from the penalty of sins committed, and acceptance as righteous, to all who believe on Jesus Christ and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

9. We believe that regeneration, or the new birth, is that gracious work of God whereby the moral nature of the repentant believer is spiritually quickened and given a distinctively spiritual life, capable of faith, love, and obedience.

10. We believe that adoption is that gracious act of God by which the justified and regenerated believer is constituted a son of God.

11. We believe that justification, regeneration, and adoption are simultaneous in the experience of seekers after God and are obtained upon the condition of faith, preceded by repentance; and that to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.

12. We believe in the Church, the community that confess-es Jesus Christ as Lord, the covenant people of God made new in Christ, the Body of Christ called together by the Holy Spirit through the Word.