Over 100 Mormon leaders from Kenya and Tanzania gathered at the beautiful LDS Chapel in Upperhill, Nairobi, to receive training from Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The training revolved around leadership skills and how Church leaders can have Jesus Christ at the centre of their ministry. Elder Clayton was accompanied in giving instructions by President Gary C. Hicken who presides over the Kenya Nairobi Mission. That mission covers the territories of Kenya and Tanzania and supervises more than 80 young missionaries and Senior Couple Missionaries. Elder Kevin S. Hamilton was also present. Elder Hamilton is a member of the Southeast Area Presidency.
This meeting was historical, given the number of priesthood leaders who attended. President Dominic Kogo, who presides over the Eldoret District of the Church, comprising ten congregations, ran updates on his Facebook page before and after the training. The meeting touched on Sabbath Day observance, fasting, and teaching in Church councils. There was also a question and answer period touching on several doctrinal and Church administration issues.
Elder L. Whitney Clayton assists Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in supervising the Africa Southeast and Africa West Areas. The Church is growing steadily in Kenya and Tanzania, with total congregations of over 15,000 members. President Kogo observed after the trainings, “Elder Clayton is a great teacher of the Gospel and he carries with him a sweet spirit. I was very much impressed by his powerful explanation of the order of the Church.” Elder Clayton also held meetings with missionaries and adult members of the Church in Nairobi.