Thursday, May 25, 2023
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We are indeed very saddened to learn of the unfortunate change of events due to the sudden passing on of our brother, friend and coworker in the Lord, Rev Norman Graves. It is unimaginable to comprehend the passing on of our brother, bearing in mind that we have been communicating regularly in the last few days as we prepared for the missionary visit of 9 brothers and sisters from NBCWC. Indeed we had scheduled a zoom meeting for Friday 19th May 2023 at 8pm EAT to firm up the arrangements.
On behalf of our Senior Pastor, Rev Ambrose Nyangao and the entire leadership and congregation of Parklands Baptist Church, I would like to express our sincere condolences and pray for God's comfort, strength and peace to the family and community of NBCWC.
I first met Rev Norman Graves early in 2009 when he and a team from Daytop International (Mr Fredi Loke, Mr Michael Bosch) came to Kenya to train Kenyan Addiction Professionals on the 'Therapeutic Community Model' of addiction management. We immediately struck an instant friendship as he trained us and I was instantly attracted to his love for Christ which cemented our brotherhood. He chose to fellowship at our church at Parklands Baptist Church (PBC) whilst in Kenya and blessed us many times through special dedication songs using his rich baritone voice and his gift in Christian worship. He was granted the African name "Mogaka' which would loosely mean 'one who carries himself with respect, dignity, wisdom and honour'. Mogaka also means 'one who speaks like 9 elders put together'.
Rev Graves had a great love for Africa and immediately desired to partner with Parklands Baptist Church in supporting our new church plant in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, North Kinangop Baptist Church (NKBC). He and his team visited this church several times and blessed the church with media/musical instruments, a motorbike for the local pastor to carry out inland outreaches and shared community related skills with the people of Kinangop. The NBCWC team carried out home visits supporting the local community spiritually, economically and sponsoring a number of needy families in paying school fees for their children. I am glad this church plant has continued to receive encouragement and support from the community of NBCWC. Additionally, the NBCWC community was able to reach out and support a Children's Home which had no affiliation to Parklands Baptist Church or NKBC. What a blessing!
I would like to thank God for the team members that Rev Graves was able to lead to Kenya including Ron Hiatt, Ed Corley, Thelma McIver, Elisha, Irene & late brother Ben Davis etc. You are all part of us and have a special place in our hearts and in Africa. Special thanks to Lady Rachel Graves who was always working round the clock to have everything work smoothly! I cannot forget the warm visits I received from you all, and especially host Lady Rachel Graves and the Graves family, during my very insightful visits to Liberty, New York. I cannot forget the wonderful service we had at your sanctuary on the10.12.2017 and the great luncheon at the 8 West Point Thayer Hotel along the famous Buffalo River. Special thanks to Ron Hyatt for the country and the visit to the Cadet Chapel!
We are praying for all of you during this very difficult season. Our prayer is that the joy of the Lord will continue to be your strength. We are also praying that the work that God started at NBCWC especially in partnership with PBC and NKBC, He will bring to completion. Even as the church enters another phase, we pray that God will enable the team of Ron Hyatt, Ed Corley, Elisha Graves, Thelma McIver, James Strother, Anthony Johnson, Eleisha Graves and Michael Dwayne Johnson to visit the motherland as God allows. This has been Rev Graves' prayer for many years.
For Lady Graves and family, may the Lord grant you strength and fortitude according to His Word.
May the Lord grant Rev. Norman Graves peace and rest as his work on earth is complete.
Peace be still.
We love you from the depth of our hearts from Africa.
Your brother, friend and family,
Richard Gakunju
NB: Also on behalf of our Senior Pastor, Rev Ambrose Nyangao, the leadership and congregation of PBC and NKBC, the people of Kenya and Africa
Liberty, NY 845-292-7160
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