Buckner Kenya 25th Anniversary Celebration

I had the privilege of celebrating the 10th anniversary of Buckner Kenya 15 years ago and returned in 2026 to celebrate the 25th anniversary with members of the Buckner International Board of Trustees.

The celebration began with an impactful greeting from children with flowers presented to me and Tim Lancaster, Buckner Board Chair, an opportunity to plant a tree by Tim Lancaster, and other board members.

Rev. Bernard Obuya, president of the Baptist Convention of Kenya delivered a powerful devotional message.

Rev. Mark Owino, Chair of the Board for the Baptist Children’s Centre (BCC) gave words of commendation, including Jane Mwangi, Chair of the Buckner Kenya Board, and Buckner Trustee, James Westbrooks.

The celebration led by Dickson Masindano, Executive Director, was nothing less than incredible with children’s dance groups, a praise band, Buckner Kenya board members, and government officials. Mr. Shem Nyakutu, Secretary to Children’s Services of Kenya, represented the Kenyan President’s Office.

I shared these Swahili words in my remarks at the celebration: “Nina furaha na neema kubwa kushiriki na nyinyi hii sherehe ya miaka ishirini na tano ya Buckner Kenya.” This means “I am verry happy and blessed to share this celebration with you for 25 years of Buckner Kenya.”

Dickson Masindano led us on a tour of the BCC and took us to the first two buildings where this ministry came under Buckner support. The BCC, now a Family Hope Center, also features a school and a clinic that serves the local community. One of the messages that impacted me was on the side of a building of the clinic that said, “We treat, God heals.” This reminded me that God still heals people through different ways including treatment, medicine, divine healing, and other methods.

Bertha Lutome, a child at the BCC more than 25 years ago, shared her life story and how time at the BCC prepared her for adulthood and life as a professional. She was full of joy, gratitude, and leadership for a productive life designed to bless others. She was one of 30 alumni present to celebrate this day.

On Sunday of our time in Kenya, we celebrated a time of worship with Buckner Kenya staff, children from the BCC, and community guests. The worship was vibrant, celebratory, and augmented by a powerful message of encouragement and hope. I have concluded that everything works well when the right leadership is in place. Dickson Masindano is an exemplary leader, trustworthy, faithful, and passionate of the ministry among vulnerable children and families in Kenya. He is also an excellent manager and steward of all that has been placed in his hands.

Dickson has also done an excellent job of developing talent, such like Violet Wesonga. He has developed strategies to sustain the ministry economically and has stewarded long-standing relationships with government officials who also seek to serve children in Kenya.