Prof. Victoria Ngumi addresses the congregants during the service.
The University Community has been urged to prioritize the quest to seek God in every way possible while adhering to His Holy Word as one important step towards ensuring they emerge victorious in all their undertakings as members of an institution and as a nation.
This was the key message conveyed during the annual beginning of the year staff service held, February 11 2021, and whose theme was derived from the Book of Joshua 1:8 which says, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful”.
Presenting his sermon on “Being strong and courageous,” Rev. Joseph Kiiru called upon the congregants to be steadfast and firm in this tumultuous era of economic hardship and Covid-19 as “God has blessed us and kept us safe.”
CATCOM choir present their song during service.
Rev. Kiiru noted that we are all children of God, however, only those who seek his kingdom and follow the Biblical teachings will He make them prosperous and straighten their paths to eventual glory.
“Success and prosperity in life is brought about by doing the right things in life. Meditate on the word of God as it is the manual to spiritual living,” he said.
On matters education, in order to produce a holistic individual, he added, there is need to inculcate the five aspects of human development namely; Mental, Emotional, Physical, Social and Spiritual, to arm students adequately as teaching alone is not enough.
The Reverend advised education stakeholders not to focus only on the pedagogical aspects, because it will result in students lacking the requisite knowledge and skills to manage challenges.
Rev. Joseph Kiiru gives his sermon.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi echoing Rev. Kiiru’s message on spirituality, emphasized the importance of dedicating the University to God to ensure sustainability and smooth running of functions.
“We have to dedicate the University to God to guarantee our present and future plans are successful. Let’s continue praying that God will be our primary driver in all that we do,” said Prof. Ngumi.
With the effects of Covid-19 still being felt in the second year running, Prof. Ngumi was appreciative of God’s mercies which she said, “was the reason we are here today”. She encouraged the University fraternity to continue following the Ministry of health guidelines to ensure the spread of Covid-19 is contained.
“Ensure your colleague follows the laid down protocols and if they forget, be ready to remind him/her. Let’s be our brother’s keeper”, the Vice Chancellor concluded.
A section of the congregants sing during the praise and worship session.
The University Staff Service is an annual event on the university calendar which brings together the university community to seek the hand of God and to appreciate His mercies and love to humanity.
Those who attended the function that was also streamed virtually via the university’s social media platforms across the Campuses included the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Bernard Ikua. Others included the Principal, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (COANRE), Prof. David Mburu, School of Open, Distance and eLearning Programmes Director, Prof. Rebecca Waihenya, JKUAT Chaplain, Rev.Dr. John Karihe, students and staff from various departments and campuses.