June 11, 2026 · Kenya Mission
Chapter 29
The Kenya Launchpad
The Book of Acts has 28 chapters. It just... stops. No ending. Because the story isn't over.
We are Chapter 29.
Departure
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses..." — Acts 1:8
The Vision
This isn't just another mission trip.
This is a launchpad. For Kenya. And for college.
Most mission trips are a series of moments. This is a single story. Four sessions. One narrative.
The Power Source
Acts 1We stop trying so hard. We teach them to rely on God's power, not their own adrenaline. We're not building heroes. We're building servants.
The Table
Acts 2We kill the clique. We teach them that unity is the loudest sermon they will preach. We build a team that eats together. Literally.
The Pivot
Acts 10We teach them people over projects. That a change in plans isn't a mistake, it's an opportunity. Flexibility is a form of worship.
The Launch
Acts 28We commission them. Not just for a week in Kenya, but for their freshman year on a secular campus. The boldness they learn in June is the boldness they'll need in September.
How It Builds the Team
This isn't about information. It's about transformation. And transformation happens in circles, not rows.
Rotating Triads
We don't let them pick their friends. We pick the groups. Every session, a new triad. By the time we fly, every student has had a deep conversation with 8 or 9 teammates. It will be awkward. Good.
Leader Vulnerability
We go first. We share our failures. Not polished stories. Real ones. If we are honest, they will be too.
Student Ownership
They write the Team Covenant. Not us. They argue about the phone rules. They own it. If they own it, they'll keep it.
Your job is to ask questions. Then be quiet. This is how we build a team that can write Chapter 29.
The Team
17 People. One Story.
4 leaders. 13 seniors. One team writing Chapter 29 together.
Photos Coming Soon
Send in your selfie so we can put faces to names before the first session. Your spot is waiting.
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Students
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"I am because we are." — Ubuntu
Session 1
The Power Source
"Stop Trying So Hard"
We often think mission trips are about how much we can do for God. Acts 1 flips that. It’s about what God wants to do through us. If you try to do Kenya on your own adrenaline, you’ll crash by Tuesday.
Read: Acts 1:1–8
Jesus didn’t give the disciples a strategic plan or a marketing budget. He gave them a command: Wait. He knew their human energy would fail. He promised them the Holy Spirit—not just for a “feeling,” but for power to be witnesses.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses..."
Kenyan Proverb
"Kurejea kusema si kufika."
Saying you’re going isn’t the same as arriving.
Intentions are cheap. Power is required.
Kenya Connection
As seniors, you’re used to being the “experts” in high school. In Kenya, you might feel helpless or out of your element. That’s okay. Ask the Spirit to lead your words and actions rather than relying on your own strength.
Habari? — Nzuri!
How are you? — Good!
Triad Rotation #1
The Talent
What is one natural strength you bring to this team?
The Fear
Where are you afraid you’ll run out of “fuel” (patience, energy, or words)?
The Prayer
Pray that the Holy Spirit fills the “Fear” spots listed above.
Goal
Demonstrate that we can’t get where we’re going without clear “Spirit” direction.
How to Play
Split into two teams. One person on each team is the “Rower” and is blindfolded. The rest of the team must give verbal directions to guide them across the room to pick up a specific object and bring it back. The twist: both teams are shouting at once. The “Rower” has to learn to tune out the noise and listen only to their team’s voice.
Debrief Question
"In Kenya, there’s going to be a lot of noise—culture shock, heat, tiredness. How do we stay tuned into the Spirit’s voice instead of the noise?"
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Session 2
The Table
"Killing the Clique"
In Acts 2, they didn’t just go to church; they shared their lives. For this team to work, the “cool kids” and the “quiet kids” have to vanish. There is only the Team.
Read: Acts 2:42–47
The first church didn’t have buildings; they had tables. They ate together with “glad and sincere hearts.” There were no VIPs, no “cool kids,” and no outsiders. Everyone was all-in.
"They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts..."
Kenyan Proverb
"Ubuntu"
I am because we are.
My humanity is tied to yours.
Kenya Connection
Kenyan culture highly values hospitality and community. Watch how the locals treat you. Your unity is your loudest sermon. If the team is broken, the mission is broken.
Tuko Pamoja!
We are together!
Triad Rotation #2
The Barrier
What usually keeps you from connecting with people outside your “usual” circle?
The Promise
How will you specifically make sure no one on this team feels like an “outsider” in June?
Tuko Pamoja
Practice saying your team rally cry: “Tuko Pamoja!” (We are together!)
Goal
Show how our actions affect the whole “body.”
How to Play
Stand in one big circle. Everyone reaches into the center and grabs the hands of two different people (not the person directly next to them). Now, without letting go, the team must “untangle” themselves into a perfect circle.
Debrief Question
"If one person gives up or pulls too hard, the whole group hurts. In Acts 2, they survived because they stayed connected. How can we make sure we don’t “break the knot” when things get stressful?"
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Session 3
The Pivot
"People Over Projects"
Westerners love “to-do” lists. Kenyans love “to-be” lists. Acts 10 shows Peter having his entire worldview wrecked so he could finally see people clearly.
Read: Acts 10:9–23
Peter had his own “rules” and “schedules.” God wrecked them. He told Peter to stop looking at his own preferences and start looking at the person in front of him.
"Do not call anything impure that God has made clean..."
Kenyan Proverb
"Mgeni ni kuku mweupe."
A guest is a white chicken.
You’re highly visible. Be humble and observant.
Kenya Connection
You aren’t going to Kenya to “fix” people; you’re going to meet people whom God already loves deeply. Look for what you can learn from your Kenyan brothers and sisters.
Asante Sana
Thank you very much
Triad Rotation #3
The Task vs. The Person
If we’re busy painting or teaching and a local wants to tell us their life story, how will we react?
The Student Mindset
What is one thing you want to learn from the people of Kenya?
Language Practice
Greet each other: “Habari?” (How are you?) — “Nzuri!” (Good/Fine!)
Goal
Practice communicating when you don’t speak the same language.
How to Play
Give one student a complex “task” on a piece of paper (e.g., “Tell the neighbor their cow is in your garden and you want to help them move it, but you are also invited to lunch”). They have to communicate this to the team using zero words.
Debrief Question
"In Kenya, you will often find yourself in situations where you don’t have the words. Acts 10 shows us that God speaks through presence and heart, not just perfect Swahili."
This section is for leaders only. Enter the team code to unlock.
Session 4
The Unhindered Launch
"Training for the Real World"
Acts ends with Paul in chains, but the Word is “unhindered.” Your trip will end, but your life as a witness is just starting. This is the training ground for college.
Read: Acts 28:30–31
The Bible ends with the Gospel being unhindered. This trip is your “training camp” for the next four years of your life. The boldness you find in Kenya is the same boldness you will need on a college campus.
"He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!"
Kenyan Proverb
"Mtumbwi hauvuki bila makasia."
A canoe doesn’t cross the river without oars.
Faith requires action. God provides the wind, but you row.
Kenya Connection
Your trip will eventually end, but the work of God in Kenya (and in you) won’t. As you prepare to head home, think about how the “Acts” of your life continue back in your hometown.
Bwana Asifiwe!
Praise the Lord!
Triad Rotation #4
The Boldness
What is one “brave thing” you want God to do through you in June?
The College Bridge
How will you stay “unhindered” when you get to college this Fall?
The Commission
Say a 1-sentence blessing over each person in your triad.
Goal
Build physical trust for the “Launch.”
How to Play
Form a tight circle. One person stands in the middle, keeps their body stiff as a board (the oar), and leans back. The team gently passes the person around the circle, supporting their weight.
Debrief Question
"As you head to college and Kenya, you’re going to have moments where you feel like you’re falling. Does this team have your back? Are we ready to support each other as we “row” into Chapter 29?"
This section is for leaders only. Enter the team code to unlock.
On-Trip Guide
5-Day "Acts in Kenya" Devotional
Use these during your first week in Kenya. Each day includes a passage from Acts, a Kenya connection, and a prayer focus to help transition from "tourist" mode to "missionary" mode.
Jesus told the smartest, most capable people he knew to wait. Why? Because human talent isn’t enough for God’s work; they needed the Holy Spirit.
Kenya Connection
As seniors, you’re used to being the “experts” in high school. In Kenya, you might feel helpless or out of your element. That’s okay. Ask the Spirit to lead your words and actions today rather than relying on your own strength.
Prayer
"Lord, I’m here. Fill me with your Spirit so I can be a witness in a way I couldn’t be on my own."
The first church didn’t grow because of a cool building; it grew because of how the people treated each other. They shared everything and ate together with “glad and sincere hearts.”
Kenya Connection
Kenyan culture highly values hospitality and community (Ubuntu). Watch how the locals treat you. How can your team of 18-year-olds model this same “gladness” even when you’re tired or the food is different?
Prayer
"God, help our team to be so united and joyful that people see You in our friendships."
Peter had to realize that God doesn’t have “favorites.” He shows no favoritism and accepts people from every nation.
Kenya Connection
You aren’t going to Kenya to “fix” people; you’re going to meet people whom God already loves deeply. Look for what you can learn from your Kenyan brothers and sisters today.
Prayer
"Remove any pride or bias from my heart. Help me see everyone I meet today exactly how You see them."
Paul tried to go into Asia, but the Spirit said “no.” He didn’t get frustrated; he listened and went where he was called instead.
Kenya Connection
On mission trips, things go “wrong.” Vans break down, rain cancels outdoor plans, or a conversation lasts two hours longer than expected. Treat every “delay” as a potential “Macedonian Call.”
Prayer
"Lord, give me the flexibility to follow your lead when my plans fall through."
The book of Acts ends abruptly with Paul under arrest, yet the Gospel is described as “unhindered.” Nothing can stop God’s word from spreading.
Kenya Connection
Your trip will eventually end, but the work of God in Kenya (and in you) won’t. As you prepare to head home, think about how the “Acts” of your life continue back in your hometown.
Prayer
"Thank you for letting me be part of Your story. Help me take the fire I found here back home with me."
Language Prep
Kenya Pocket Phrases
Practice these as a team before you go. They won't make you fluent. But they'll make you human.
Habari?
How are you?
Nzuri!
Good / Fine!
Asante sana
Thank you very much
Karibu
Welcome / You’re welcome
Tuko Pamoja
We are together
Bwana Asifiwe!
Praise the Lord!
Pole pole
Slowly, slowly
Session 2 Activity
Acts 29 Team Covenant
In the Bible, a covenant is a solemn agreement that defines how we relate to one another. The students write this. Not you. If they build the walls of the house, they're much more likely to live inside them.
Use these three categories as prompts. Let them argue a bit. If they own the rule, they'll keep it.
I. We Are One
Acts 2:44"How are we going to handle it when someone is grumpy, tired, or homesick? How do we handle cliques?"
Goal: Get them to commit to inclusion.
II. We Are Servants
Acts 20:35"We are guests in Kenya. If things don't go our way, how will we react in front of our hosts?"
Goal: Get them to commit to flexibility and gratitude.
III. We Are Witnesses
Acts 1:8"If we spend the whole trip on TikTok or texting people back home, we aren't really in Kenya. How do we want to handle our phones?"
Goal: Get them to set their own boundaries.
The Signing Ceremony
Once the document is written out neatly, don't just have them sign it with a pen.
The Commitment: Read the final document aloud together.
The Signatures: Have each person sign.
The Seal: Have everyone put a thumbprint in ink next to their name — a symbol that their "mark" is now part of this mission.
The Travel: Bring it to Kenya. If the team gets grumpy on Day 4, pull it out during your evening devotion. Don't lecture. Just read it. And ask: "Did we mean this? Or were we just writing pretty words?"
Downloads
Print Resources
Download the print-ready workbooks. The Student Book goes to every team member. The Leader Guide stays with your 4 leaders.
Leader Guide
PDF · Leaders Only
Unlock the Leader Guide sections above with the team code to access this download.