Ngong Road Monthly Meeting

The Friends International Centre Church (FIC), or Friends Church Ngong Road, is a premier Bible believing church. The main congregation, whose Sunday attendance stands at close to 1,000, is served by seven highly qualified pastors supported by a team of clerks and chairpersons of departments. FIC is the only church in Kenya, which has a silent worship service running every Sunday. The Silent Worship service runs in a separate room from 10am to 11am.

The church exists to fulfill the Great Commission as stipulated in Matthew 28:19-20, build believers in God’s Word as it was in the early church (Acts 2: 45f), fellowship (Hebrews 10:25), minister to needs (Acts 4:34-35, Galatians 6:9-10).

The property which is now the Friends International Centre was purchased by East Africa Yearly Meeting of Friends (EAYM) in 1967. The property comprises 3.3 acres. The original buildings in the compound were two single story houses with a covered passage connecting the two at the rear. In the middle of the passage was a small kitchen. In the land behind the houses there were two small blocks each with two rooms for staff. In spite of all the changes that have taken place, it is still possible to identify the original houses, one of which now has three floors, and to see one of the old staff quarters.

According to the records, the property was purchased in 1926 by Sir Ali Bin Salim an Arab who had two wives and it is assumed that each occupied one of the houses. Sir Ali died in 1940 and the ownership passed to his offspring. Later (probably around 1960) it was acquired by New Kenya Enterprises who then sold it to EAYM in 1967 for Shs 275,000.

An ad-hoc committee of twelve Friends was established to take responsibility for development. These were Nathan Fedha, Nathan Luvai, John Musundi, Mathew Mwenesi, Erastus Waliaula, Jeremiah Mugofu, David Hunter, Benjamin Ngaira, Joshua Odanga, Filemona Indire, Zablon Ochwaya and Lewis Hoskins. Joseph Kisia was appointed as EAYM Associate Secretary and housed at the Centre from 1968 to 1970.

By 1969 the membership of the committee had changed and the following were listed: Filemona Indire, Joram Amadi, Nathan Luvai, Dixon Litaba, Bethuel Onzere, Erastus Waliaula, Isaac Lidonde, Elisha Wakube, Bernard Chalili, Reuben Shibutse, John Endersby and Gerald Brown.

Gerald Brown was a Quaker from UK who came with his wife Norah. They supported Joseph Kisia in the early stages of developing the Centre. In April 1971 Nathan and Phoebe Luvai took over as wardens of the Centre.

In 1969 the Management Committee held a meeting at which Building Plans were presented by an architect, Mr Desai. The plans were as follows:

Phase 1. Construction of 8 Maisonettes and 24 Flats.
Phase 2. Construction of a Students’ Hostel.
Phase 3. Construction of a central block with Meeting House, Hall and Nursery School.
Phase 4. Construction of an Administrative block facing Ngong Road with Shops below and Offices and Conference hall above.

Funds could not be found to implement the plan as proposed but, in 1971, a grant of 3,000 pounds sterling was obtained from the Cadbury Trust towards the construction of a Meeting Hall between the two houses. Funds were also raised from Kenyan and overseas Friends. Construction of the hall started in September 1973 and was completed in July 1974. This building was designed to take a second floor. It was used for worship services and other functions until the new Church was completed in 2004. It is now a restaurant.

Between 1971 and 1973 the following joined the Management Committee, Simeon Shitemi, John Majani, Francis Asiema, Esnas Mudavadi, and Sarah Lukalo. In 1972 FWCC (Africa Section) started operation at the Centre with David Kikaya as Secretary. In 1976, David Kikaya, Donald Thomas and William Lubanga joined the Management Committee. Nathan Luvai retired from his position as warden in 1976 as funding for his post from overseas had been discontinued.

In 1979, John Majani, who was warden of Friends Centre Ofafa, was asked to stand in as warden of FIC as well. In 1979 Filemona retired as Chair of the Management Committee and was replaced by Sarah Lukalo. As David Kikaya left for studies overseas, Zablon Malenge was appointed as FWCC (Africa Section) Secretary and moved into the house that had been vacated by Nathan Luvai. The house rent was paid by a Charitable Quaker Foundation in UK.

In 1981 the Management Committee was laid down by the General Secretary of EAYM and the committee that he appointed failed to take off. There was then a period of eight years when there was no Management Committee but the Centre continued to run thanks to the efforts of Zablon Malenge, FWCC Secretary and Francis Asiema, FWCC Treasurer.

Meanwhile developments in Western Kenya led to the formation of the Friends Church Council, (FCC) with Filemona Indire as the head. Its aim was to coordinate the activities of Friends, many of whom were members of newly formed Yearly Meetings. In 1989 Friends of the Unprogrammed (Silent) Meeting at FIC initiated talks about the management of the Centre and a plan was drawn up for a committee with representatives of all the User Groups at FIC. The plan received approval of FCC and the following were appointed:

Alan Kisia and Reuben Shibutse for Nairobi Yearly Meeting (NYM), Donald Thomas, Francis Asiema and Reuben Shibutse for Silent Meeting, David Khayumbi, Jane Aswani and John Majinga for Monthly Meeting, Alfred Waudo and William Lubanga for Village (Local) Meeting and Zablon Malenge and Filemona Indire for FWCC. Pastor Robert Wafula was coopted on the committee from 1990 and played a role as part-time Warden until he left for studies overseas. Hezron Masitsa took over as Warden of FIC from 1996 until 2005 when he resigned and Fred Kidiga was appointed. Donald Thomas chaired the Management Committee until 2005 when he was replaced by Francis Asiema.

In 2005, the Management Committee commissioned a professional team of Quakers to work on plans for long term development of the Centre. Church members were consulted through various fora and with a questionnaire to obtain ideas and preferences. The team comprised of Alfred Lulu, Architect, Rodicah Malenya, Engineer, Churchill Kibisu, Economist, and Timothy Makunda, a Physical Planner who became the team leader. Their work led to a comprehensive report: “Proposed Development Plan 2006-2010.”

During the early years of the twenty first century, Ngong Road Monthly Meeting Building Committee became very active and weekly meetings were held to plan the construction of the Church that was designed by Architect, Alfred Lulu. Engineer Alfred Waudo played a key role as civil engineer for the project. The Building Committee was chaired by Engineer Charles Malenya and from time to time by Churchill Kibisu, then Presiding Clerk of NYM. Others who played an active role in the Church development included, John Mikisi, Richard Sitati, Caleb and Sabina Wangia, Dickson Kona, Jethro Lusimba, Amb. Justus Mudavadi, and Alfayo Keya.

Once the church was completed in 2004, Alfred Lulu prepared plans for the reconstruction of the old church hall to create an upper floor with a Conference Room and offices. This project started in 2006 and was completed in 2008. Subsequently NYM took the lead in the reconstruction of the original house to which two floors were added above the original ‘Silent’ room. A Conference room and other facilities were added at the rear. New Toilets and a Gate House were also constructed though some work remains to be completed.

Currently, FIC runs two services every Sunday: the first starting at 7:45am through 9am, and the second from 9:30am to 11:30am. The Sunday school classes run alongside the main service from 9:30am to 11:30am.

Services embrace the spoken ministry as seen in powerful music from the FIC church choir, the FIC praise and worship team, and other singing groups. Vocal ministry is also evidenced in Bible reading, preaching, testimonies, and in prayer and intercession. The use of public address systems, music keyboards, and drum-sets attests to the African touch in the service.

FIC is involved in a wide spectrum of activities both to its members and to non-members. Regular spiritual activities are: worship services on Sundays, Bible study on Mondays, choir and praise team rehearsals throughout the week, prayer meetings on Thursdays, overnight prayer meetings once a month, women prayer breakfasts once a month, home fellowships (home-cell meetings), and visits to members.

Social activities, which have a spiritual slant include excursions, hikes, retreats, family fun-day, drama, and music festival. FIC’s major charitable activity to non-members is the FCDI program that supports widows and orphans.

Indeed, many Friends have played a role in the development of Friends International Centre through the years. It is hoped that this participatory approach to development will continue and that it will lead to strengthening of relationships. FIC exists to serve the needs of current and future generations of Friends and others. FIC should be a place where the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22) are there for all to see.