Gethsemane Garden Christian Centre

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Gethsemane Garden Christian Centre

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Visit the GGCC Website: www.ggcckenya.org

Check out GGCC on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v and the surrounding islands.

The mission of Gethsemane Garden Christian Centre (GGCC) is to rescue and give hope to HIV/AIDS orphans and impoverished children by educating and equipping them to impact Kenyan culture and the world for Jesus Christ. GGCC helps to meet the physical, educational, and spiritual needs of these children, and provide hope for their futures. Our Biblical mandate: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress…" - James 1:27

10/25/2026

A History of Friendship, Faith, and Faithfulness ❤️

On October 11, Nerea had the joy of visiting our dear friends at Calvary Church! Dr. Munro warmly welcomed her, and the congregation prayed for the ministry of Gethsemane Garden Christian Centre. What a blessing it is to be surrounded by people who care so deeply about the work God is doing in Kenya!

During her visit, Nerea also had the opportunity to speak with two Adult Life Groups (ALGs) and spend time with longtime friends of the ministry.

GGCC and Calvary share a long history and a special relationship that we treasure. While our connection goes far beyond any one visit, it is the people who make it so meaningful. We are especially grateful for the many Calvary members who have personally embraced GGCC, faithfully supported our work, encouraged our team, and lifted the children and staff of our school in prayer over the years.

Thank you, Calvary family, for your warmth, kindness, encouragement, and prayers. Your friendship means so much to us, and we are grateful that God has woven our ministries together in such a meaningful way. We never take your love and faithfulness for granted!

What a blessing to walk alongside friends who share our heart for the children and families of Mfangano Island. ❤️

10/22/2026

❤️ Thank you, New Prospect Baptist Church! ❤️

We are so grateful for the warm welcome and wonderful hospitality we received from New Prospect Baptist Church! It was a joy to spend time with you, share about the ministry of GGCC, and give you a glimpse of what God is doing in the lives of children and families on Mfangano Island, Kenya. 🇰🇪

Ministry is a beautiful reminder that, even when we are separated by miles, we are united by our love for Christ and our desire to share His hope with the world. Thank you for opening your doors, welcoming us so warmly, and giving us the opportunity to share the heart behind this ministry that means so much to us.

We left feeling encouraged and blessed by your kindness and your heart for missions. Thank you for being part of the story God is writing through GGCC! ❤️

10/19/2026

One season ends. Another begins. ❤️

There is something especially beautiful about watching our students grow—not only in the classroom, but in their faith, their character, and their willingness to serve.

Recently, our GGCC Praise & Worship Team gathered to celebrate two students who are completing their season of leadership and to welcome the students who will follow them. There was worship, prayer, encouragement, fellowship…and, of course, cake! 🎂

The outgoing leaders were honored for their faithful service, while the new team was challenged to lead with humility, dedication, and hearts fixed on Christ.

This is what we pray for at GGCC: that the children entrusted to us would not simply leave with an education, but with a growing faith and a desire to use their lives to serve God and others.

As one generation of student leaders makes room for the next, we are reminded: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”— 1 Corinthians 15:58

Please join us in praying for these young leaders as they step into this new season! ❤️🇰🇪

10/11/2026

The Great Work is about people. ❤️

At our Annual Impact Dinner Thursday night, we shared this video as we reflected on the words of Nehemiah 6:3: “I am doing a great work and cannot come down.”

For more than two decades, God has used people willing to say yes—in Kenya and here at home—to love, educate, disciple and care for the children of Gethsemane Garden.

So much has been accomplished. So many lives have been changed.

But the Great Work is not finished.

We hope you'll take a few minutes to watch—and be reminded that there is still a place for each of us in the work God is doing. ❤️🇰🇪

The Great Work continues.

10/09/2026

A Towel. A Basin. A Life of Service.

Last night at our Annual Impact Dinner, we had the joy of presenting the 2026 Towel & Basin Award to Nancy Taylor.

The award takes its meaning from John 13, when Jesus knelt before His disciples, took up a towel and basin, and washed their feet. He then told them: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” — John 13:15

For nearly 20 years, Nancy has followed that example in her service to Gethsemane Garden.

What has made Nancy's service so meaningful isn't simply all that she has done over the years, but the heart with which she has done it—with humility, generosity, wisdom and a genuine desire to serve.

Nancy has quietly and faithfully poured herself into this ministry and into the lives of children thousands of miles away. Much of that service has happened behind the scenes, without recognition or fanfare, simply because she loves the Lord, loves these children, and believes deeply in the mission of Gethsemane Garden.

It made the evening even more special to have some of Nancy's family there to celebrate alongside her, together with Michelle Treadaway, GGCC-USA Executive Director; Nerea Mattah, GGCC-Kenya Executive Director; and Bill Lineberger, GGCC-USA founder and the inaugural 2025 Towel & Basin Award recipient.

Nancy, we are so grateful for the countless ways you have helped shape this ministry and for the example of servant leadership you continue to give us.

Congratulations, Nancy!

10/05/2026

🙏 When a School Kneels Together

Before the exams came the prayers.

This past Sunday at Gethsemane Garden, our students and staff gathered for Prayer Sunday, with special prayer for our Grade 6, Grade 9, and Grade 12 students as they prepare for important examinations. Teachers who have spent months pouring knowledge into these young people gathered around them to pour out something else, too—prayer.

And there was a beautiful full-circle moment: GGCC alumnus Robert Randy returned to lead the intercessory prayers. A former student standing before today's students, reminding them simply by his presence that someone has walked this road before them.

Reverend John challenged our students to honor God first, work diligently, guard their purity, keep asking God for wisdom, and choose integrity—even when no one is watching.

What a picture of the education we pray for at Gethsemane Garden!

We want our students to leave us with more than good grades.

We want them to know that character matters, honest work matters, prayer matters—and God is with them when they walk into the exam room.

We invite you to join us in covering our students in prayer—for calm minds, clear thinking, good memory, integrity, and confidence in all they have learned.

They studied. They prayed. Now we cheer them on. ❤️🇰🇪

10/02/2026

What Happens Here Doesn't Stay Here. ❤️

One of the things we love most about Gethsemane Garden is watching God take what begins within our school and carry it far beyond our gates.

Our Spiritual Director, Pastor Isaac Madanji, also serves as President of Youth Commission International–Kenya (YCI). For more than a decade, GGCC and YCI have served side by side, discipling young people and equipping them to carry their faith into their schools, families and communities.

And God is multiplying that work.

YCI now reports a ministry presence in more than 2,000 school clubs, where young people are being equipped to lead Bible studies, prayer, worship, discipleship and outreach.

This past term, students gathered in schools across the region for weekly Christian clubs, preaching programs, rallies and camps. And the ministry didn't stop at the school gate. In August, young people and church members took the Gospel into Mbita Market, reaching the surrounding community as well.

That is what we pray for at Gethsemane Garden.
A student encounters Christ.
A student grows as a disciple.
A student becomes a leader.
And then that student carries Christ into another classroom, another school, another family and another community.

Isaac describes YCI's mission as raising young Christians with godly values who are able to impact both “school campuses and communities.”

We are so grateful for Isaac, for our partnership with YCI, and for the privilege of watching God multiply what begins here.

The Great Work is not finished. There is still room in the boat. ❤️

09/29/2026

🏆 THREE TEAMS. THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS! 🏆

It was quite a weekend for GGCC athletics! 💙

Our students competed in a local Handball Extravaganza, and they came home with not one... not two... but THREE championship titles!

🏆 Senior School Boys — CHAMPIONS
🏆 Junior School Boys — CHAMPIONS
🏆 Junior School Girls — CHAMPIONS

And of course, what do you do when you bring three trophies back to GGCC? You celebrate together! 🎉 The teams brought their trophies to church on Sunday, where the whole GGCC family got to share in the excitement.

We love seeing our students discover their gifts—in the classroom, in worship, in leadership, and on the court!

Congratulations to our players and coaches! We are so proud of you! 👏🏾💙🏆

09/25/2026

The Great Work Continues. Will You Join Us? 💙

Today is our RSVP date for the 2026 GGCC Annual Impact Dinner, and we would love to see you at the table!

📅 Thursday, October 8
📍 Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

This year’s theme comes from Nehemiah 6:3:

“I am doing a great work and cannot come down.”

For more than twenty years, God has been doing a Great Work on Mfangano Island—and that Great Work is people. Children finding hope. Students discovering their God-given potential. Young men and women growing in their faith and carrying it into their communities.

We are especially excited to welcome Nerea Mattah, our Kenya Director, who will be joining us from Mfangano Island. You’ll hear directly from Nerea and meet some of the people whose lives tell the story of what God is doing through GGCC.

If you’ve been part of GGCC for years, we hope you’ll come. And if you’ve never attended one of our dinners or are just learning about GGCC, we would especially love to welcome you.

Come have dinner with us. Hear the stories. See the Great Work. And discover what God is doing on a little island in Lake Victoria. ❤️

Today is the RSVP date—save your seat!

https://ggcckenya.reachapp.co/events/join-the-story-2026-annual-fundraising-dinner

09/22/2026

🌍 FROM MFANGANO ISLAND TO NAIROBI! 🇰🇪

Before dawn on September 8, our Grade 9 students climbed into a boat and left Mfangano Island for an academic adventure they won't soon forget!

Over five incredible days, learning moved far beyond the classroom. They saw the tea plantations of Kericho, learned about the Menengai Crater, spotted wildlife in Naivasha, explored the Nairobi National Museum and National Archives, looked out over the capital from the top of KICC, hiked the Ngong Hills alongside towering wind turbines, visited Nairobi National Park, and experienced many “firsts” along the way—including, for some, their very first ride in an elevator! ❤️

But one moment was especially meaningful.

During the students' visit to the Kenyan Senate, their senator welcomed them and introduced GGCC by name on the Senate floor, sharing about the work God is doing on Mfangano Island!

What an incredible moment for our students to sit there and hear their school, their island, and their community spoken about before national leaders.

Our Principal later described it as an act of grace—and we couldn't agree more. Some doors only God can open. 🙏

After five full days of discovery, adventure, laughter and learning, our students made the long journey home—through the Rift Valley and Mau Forest, back across the water, and safely onto Mfangano Island around midnight.

These academic trips give our students something a textbook simply cannot: the opportunity to see, experience, ask questions, discover possibilities and imagine a future bigger than they knew before.

We are so grateful to everyone who prayed, supported, planned and accompanied this journey. What a gift to watch our students learn—and to watch their world grow. 💙

The classroom is important. But sometimes the lesson begins when you step beyond it.

Address

10800 Independence Pointe Parkway, Suite C
Matthews, NC
28105

Website

http://www.ggcckenya.org/

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