IcFEM (Interchristian Fellowships' Evangelical Mission)

IcFEM is an interdenominational Christian organisation, currently operating in Western Kenya. The aim of the Interchristian Fellowships' Evangelical Mission is to build up people in the rural areas both spiritually and practically, to be wholly for God and hard- working, especially in the area of self- help and sustainable projects, to run a mercy ministry to the needy and to involve in various community development projects while conserving the environment. As our Mission is to Accelerate Community Development, IcFEM has now developed a gap programme for international students and volunteers to share their valuable skills. The Gap Programme involves volunteers in meaningful and enjoyable tasks in Western Province, Kenya and is run and managed in a relatively large town of Western Province called Kimilili.

IcFEM was started in the late 80's by six young Kenyan evangelists, who answered the call of God for the healing of their nation.  They soon realised that, in a region bound in rural poverty as well as spiritual darkness, it was not sufficient just to preach the Gospel, but they needed to help people out of their poverty and administer practical welfare.  As the work grew, the name Interchristian Fellowships' Evangelical Mission was chosen, and the organization was registered with the Kenyan Government as a Missionary Society in 1999 after a period as an Affiliate Group of Trinity Fellowship.
The Mission now has 126 members of staff under the Director, Solomon Nabie, who was the original founder, together with his wife, Ruth, and under God, was the principal recipient of the vision for the Mission.
Education and Health are two of the main activities of the Mission; and the Mission has its own schools - Khalayi Nursery School and Dreamland Education Centre Primary school - and a day hospital - Dreamland Medical Care Centre.  "Dreamland" because the land on which the two are built came to the Mission because of a dream.  It is a long but fascinating story of God's provision.
However, the main thrust of the Mission is the transformation of the rural communities.  Initially the Mission was based on rural Fellowships but from 1995 the main transformation ministries have been developed and taken out from the Mission HQ in Kimilili.  Prayer has always been a fundamental part of the work.  The Mission has gathered, and equipped, over 200 village intercessory groups, which have prepared the way for a very varied ministry.
IcFEM is strictly non-denominational and non Church planting, and seeks to work with and build up the local churches.  Because of the lack of teaching and Bible knowledge among the large number of church leaders, IcFEM has run "Shepherd" courses for church leaders, requiring them to attend one day per week for six months. Through these courses, they have equipped about 1000 church leaders of all denominations.

Based on this foundation, the Mission is now seeking to replicate its model of spiritual, social and economic development widely across the region.  To do this, Village IcFEM Fellowships are being created.  Each comprises 25 or more people, led by a committee, with a member each responsible for one of IcFEM's ministries, referred to as "Line Ministries".  The Village IcFEM Fellowships are grouped together into "Transformation Units" - 40 Fellowships in a Transformation Unit - for the purpose of mutual accountability, and facilitating training, the training of trainers, equipping and encouraging by the Mission staff.
Presently, some 475 Village Fellowships have been formed; and these are being trained and equipped, for their own development and further outreach, by the Mission staff in 12 Line Ministries.
These Line Ministries are:

• Evangelism
• Relief and Welfare
• Education and Skills development
• Health
• Elderly people
• Families
• Youth
• Bethesda Pool programme (ministry to disabled people)
• Agriculture and the Environment
• Fellowship FeSaCS (Fellowship Savings and Credit Scheme, for small enterprise development)
• Recreation and Sports
• Kingdom Singers.

We believe that all this Gospel-centred community development work over the last 15 years has contributed enormously to the freedom, in the Kimilili area of western Kenya, from the political violence which affected the country following the elections at the end of 2007.
God has enabled IcFEM to achieve amazing things with very few resources.  The struggle is intense, both spiritual and physical.  The Mission is truly a faith mission, and all the staff are highly committed to the work of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.  IcFEM does NOT believe in hand-outs, and the staff do NOT seek personal gain from the financial support given to the Mission.  Their motto is "Holy Living and Hard Work" (1 Thess 4:& and 2 Thess. 3:10-12).
Visitors are always welcome in Kimilili, and UK visitors always testify that a few days, or weeks, there is always a marvellous faith-building experience.