June 4th 2008 

Dear Ministry Friend,

Retooling for Effectiveness…SWIM Board of Directors to Unveil New Name

In the coming months, our ministry organization will be unveiling a new name that reflects the broad reach and scope of our efforts.  Since launching this organization as SWIM, God continues to allow us to bring the Good News of the Kingdom to different arenas through high impact events such as city-wide multi-church Festivals of Hope that minister to thousands of people in hurting regions of the world, leadership and governance conferences through which we reach out to political as well as religious leaders as a way of cultural evangelism, and through ministry to individual congregations in the United States and around the world as a way of encouraging and equipping for evangelism.  Over the last two years, we have ministered to more than 100,000 people world-wide and equipped more than 3000 leaders in their task of ministry and community leadership. 

It is clear to us that God wants us to continue with these efforts.  It is also clear to us that our current name does not reflect the scope of these efforts.  With the recommendation of the Board of Directors, we will be sharing this new name with you in the coming months as a way of retooling for greater effectiveness.  Pray with us that our decisions around this will capture our Lord’s desire for the Church at large and for the nations. 

After Political Turmoil, Time For Healing and Reconciliation

Earlier this year, I shared with you urgent prayer concerns for the nation of Kenya.  Following deadlocked presidential election returns, the East African country degenerated into shocking violence and deadly confrontation between opposing parties.  God heard your prayers on behalf of the people of Kenya as the political leaders resolved their differences. 

But more than 1000 people had died and nearly half a million others had been displaced into refugee camps. In our next e-Newsletter we will share with you exciting ministry initiatives currently in the works as we reach out to facilitate reconciliation efforts in partnership with Kenyan Churches as well as proclaim the Gospel of peace that our Lord Jesus Christ came to deliver.  We will also share with you our growing burden to reach out to the nation of Pakistan.  We ask you to stand with us in confronting the present darkness with the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

With our Board of Directors, we thank you for walking alongside us through your prayer, encouragement and financial support.  In the next few weeks, we will be running a daily blog on our current site www.swimmin.voxtropolis.com .  Kindly add this to your favorites and visit to give us feedback.  You may also donate to our ministry efforts through our website www.swimmin.org  Kindly consider being a regular monthly donor to assist us reach out to the nations with the message of Hope through Jesus Christ.  All your gifts are tax deductible as SWIM is a 501 C (3) organization. 

Wedding Date Adjustments:

Finally, in my last e-newsletter I shared with you that Suzanne and I wed on August 9th.  We wish to inform you that our wedding is scheduled for Friday August 8th at 7 PM at the Bayview Event Center, Excelsior, MN and not August the 9th.  If you would like to receive an invitation to celebrate with us, kindly respond to this e-mail with your full address. Thank you for the more than five hundred congratulatory responses I received from you our readers and supporters.  We are humbled to know that you keenly follow our efforts and are eager to celebrate with us the Lord’s doing.   

Till all come to the knowledge of God’s Beloved Son Jesus Christ,

Sammy Wanyonyi, B.A., M.Div

World Evangelist 

“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” –Jesus Christ  

Finally, after four long years, many late nights burning the mid-night oil reading hundreds of books and of writing hundreds of papers, I have earned my Masters in Divinity from Bethel University, St. Paul, MN.  It is a great feeling to finish what was started.  Glory to God for His goodness and faithfulness. 

On Friday night during the communion service, I shared a moment of reflection and gratitude with my fellow graduates, our families, and the faculty of Bethel.     

Swimmin’ in the ministry: Wanyonyi brings his message to Grace church
Beth Rickers
Worthington Daily Globe - 04/24/2008 WORTHINGTON — Although his ministry is based in the Twin Cities area, Sammy Wanyonyi is no stranger to southwest Minnesota. “My ministry started in southwest Minnesota, in the communities of Minneota, Cottonwood, Marshall, Clarkfield — all those sites,” he said. “Back in 1998, I did vacation Bible school for kids in those little towns, and it picked up from there. It’s been growing, and now it’s international.” Wanyonyi will bring that ministry — SWIM, Sammy Wanyonyi International Ministries — to Worthington Sunday as a guest speaker during the 10:15 a.m. service at Grace Community Church, 2011 Nobles St. Now 35 years old, the seeds of ministry were planted for Wanyonyi at a much younger age. The son of rural Kenyan evangelists, he felt a call to evangelism at age 8, when he preached his first sermon, five minutes long, to a high school audience. After his schooling in Kenya, he worked as an airline catering station manager with Air France. He’d never heard anything about Minnesota until he came across an advertisement for a Christian college, Bethany College of Missions in Bloomington. “I came to Minnesota in 1998, January 1998. I didn’t know anybody,” he said. “Specifically, I was coming because I had this sense of call in my life for mission work. As I was praying about it, I felt a sense of direction to come to Minnesota.” Wanyonyi graduated from Bethany in 2001 and worked for various churches. In 2004, he enrolled at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul and will graduate in May. He also very recently became engaged — another southwest Minnesota connection, as his fiancée, Suzanne Sunderman, is a native of Windom. Wanyonyi sent out the following e-mail to supporters of his ministry: “On Sunday April 20th at 5:55 p.m., I asked my best friend, 29-year-old Miss Suzanne Sunderman, if she will marry me. To the glory of God and to my great delight, she said without hesitation, “YES, I WILL MARRY YOU!” A few moments later, we celebrated our engagement with 40 of our family, friends and colleagues at the Forepaughs restaurant in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota’s state capital. Our wedding will be later this summer on August 9th here in Minneapolis. “Suzanne grew up in the little prairie town of Windom, in southwest Minnesota. She graduated from Mankato State University as an English major. She has since worked on the campus of the University of Minnesota as a missionary to students with Maranatha, a house church, where she heads the women’s outreach ministry. “I give glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ for His faithfulness as we launch a fresh phase of ministry together with Suzanne. Not only are her beauty and personality captivating, she brings with her a fresh perspective on life, a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in ministry and great clarity to the issues that surround our present generation. …” Currently on the staff of Westwood Community Church in Excelsior-Chanhassen, Wanyonyi has somehow found time, amidst his work and school obligations, to expand his own ministry globally. SWIM is affiliated with the Next Generation Alliance of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Association and the Proclamation Evangelism Network of the Billy Graham Center, and some travel opportunities have surfaced through those organizations, as well as Wanyonyi’s own contacts. “We’ve been to Rwanda, Congo, India, Botswana, Mali, Kenya, of course, and this summer I’ll be in Canada, and there’s Pakistan coming up,” he detailed. As the ministry has grown, Wanyonyi has developed a SWIM Team — partners who have brought their own talents to the ministry effort. “For active evangelistic ministry, it’s mainly me, but I recruit team members every now and then,” he explained. “Recently in Rwanda, we had a national leadership conference, and I invited a Cargill executive, Dan Dye, who is one of our board members. He came as part of the ministry team. … I keep recruiting people, surround myself with people with different gifts, so that when we’re having a major conference, they can bring different perspectives to the team.” Wanyonyi feels particularly called to bring a message that gives hope to people in uncertain times, and he quotes a Bible verse from the Book of Luke, Chapter 4, to further explain his ministry: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” “I believe this mission of Christ is the same mission that He has called us to accomplish in this time and generation. This is a broken generation. … This message of hope is one that our generation needs to hear. People who come from broken homes need to hear that God loves them. When we have upheaval around the world, like with the tsunami in Southeast Asia, genocide, war zones like in the Congo, is the message of Christ relevant? Right here in Minnesota, with the bridge collapse, is the message of Christ relevant? Part of my message is to help address some of these issues and concerns and present the power of Jesus, the message of Christ as being the answer to our time and generation.” Along with some basic information about his ministry and ministry opportunities around the world, that’s what Wanyonyi plans to talk about Sunday. “I’ll mainly be sharing a message of revival and hope for this present generation. … My hope is to first encourage believers in their walk with Christ, to realize that this message of Christ is truth, and they should continue to hold on to that truth, and secondly, to challenge them to live a mission in their life. … “I want to invite those who don’t have a relationship with Jesus to develop one and have a chance to pray with people, those who need a touch from God in some specific way. I am looking forward to bringing that message to them as well as updating them on what’s going on with us around the world.” Following the 10:15 a.m. worship service at Grace Community Church, there will be a potluck dinner to allow people more time to visit with Wanyonyi and ask questions about his ministry. On the Net: www.swimmin.org.

It is official, she said “YES!”  

On Sunday April 20th at 5:55 PM, I asked my best friend, 29 year old Miss Suzanne Sunderman, if she will marry me.  To the glory of God and to my great delight she said without hesitation, “YES, I WILL MARRY YOU!”  A few moments later, we celebrated our engagement with 40 of our family, friends, and colleagues at the Forepaughs restaurant in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota’s State Capital.  Our wedding will be later this summer on August 9th here in Minneapolis.

Suzanne grew up in the little prairie town of Windom, in Southwest Minnesota.  She graduated from Mankato State University as an English major.  She has since worked on the campus of the University of Minnesota as a missionary to students with Maranatha, a house church, where she heads the women’s outreach ministry.   

I give glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ for His faithfulness as we launch a fresh phase of ministry together with Suzanne.  Not only are her beauty and personality captivating, she brings with her a fresh perspective on life, a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in ministry, and great clarity to the issues that surround our present generation.  I am greatly honored and blessed by the Lord and by our parents for the permission to marry her in the coming months.  Kindly join with us to cover our continuing journey with prayer.

Other News:

Earlier on March 30th, I had the privilege to minister to the congregation of Westwood Community Church.  The 3000+ believers in attendance also took a moment to celebrate the victory but also to continue in prayer for the country of Kenya as it gets back on the path of recovery following the political crisis earlier this year.  We give glory to the Lord Jesus Christ for the many ways that He is using our ministry to reach thousands of people around the world.

Sammy Wanyonyi

World Evangelist

 Kenya’s president Mwai Kibaki named one of his competitors, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, who came in a distant third as his vice-president in the aftermath of the election violence.  I know Mr. Musyoka personally (picture) and have had a chance to pray with him while he was minister for foreign affairs and before deciding to run for president.  He is a born-again Christian, humble man, and a seasoned diplomat.  At one point Mr. Musyoka was leading in the opinion polls and many thought he would emerge as the president.  Well, now that he has been named the vice-president, we pray that God uses him as the man of peace.    

Happy New Year, 2008! 

You may or may not be aware of the recent out-break of post-election violent demonstrations in the East African nation of Kenya that have left nearly 300 people dead.  As a ministry, we work with many churches in the East African nation and are concerned at the recent developments.  Due to an extremely close race between the incumbent president and the challenger, the outcome lacked a clear winner although the electoral commission of Kenya declared the incumbent the winner amidst claims of poll fixing.  This is part of the complex scenario that has led to violent demonstrations across the country contrary to reports by some sections of the media that have put a tribal spin on a more complex scenario (see Q&A: Kenya poll violence).  On Tuesday this week, 200 people mostly women and children running away from the violence and perceived to have supported the incumbent in an opposition stronghold, were haled up at an Assembly of God church near the city of Eldoret when an angry gang set the building on fire. 30 people were burned to death in the incident that left many ordinary Kenyans shocked. 

Kenya has been an extremely stable nation since independence with a functional democratic system and a burgeoning economy, one of the most developed in Africa.  It is also a strong alie of the United States on the war on terror.  It is a regional economic and political powerhouse with neighboring countries relying on it for manufactured goods and services.  It hosts many international organizations (including missionary ones) operating in Africa including the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) world headquarters.  It has been the international staging ground for peace mediation in the regional conflicts in the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Somalia and Ethiopia and has long been held as a model of a successful African democracy.  The Kenyan Churches have in the recent years become increasingly influential in the region many engaging in missionary enterprises around the world.  The current violent demonstrations have undermined that image of stability and peace.  

I have been in touch with my family who live in different parts of the country and also with some national Christian leaders since the violence broke out over the weekend when results were announced.  A lot of people in some pockets across the country, estimated to be as many as 100,000, have been displaced fearing further violence.  My family is safe although some of my family members are hosting several “refugees” in their homes (many of my siblings are church leaders and pastors and people naturally go to their homes hoping for safety).  A sister-in-law of mine who was here in Minnesota visiting with me over Christmas and new-years’ has several families fleeing the violence camped at her house in the town of Bungoma in Western Kenya.  Although the situation seems to be calming down as the police contain the rioters in the capital Nairobi and with both the U.S. government, the British Government and the United Nations swiftly moving to condemn the violence and to help cool down the tensions, a lot still hangs precariously in the balance.  Christian leaders are encouraging dialogue to resolve the disputed election results and help reconcile the two sides.  At this stage, it will be impossible for the incumbent to govern the nation without consensus as the opposition has a clear majority in parliament.  Here are some ways that you can pray for the situation:

1.  Pray that the political leaders will agree to dialogue over the disputed presidential election results to spare the common people the mayhem. At present, there is confusion regarding the best way forward, even among the international community.

2.  Pray for the Church leaders as they help defuse the tensions, heal the wounds and restore trust among different groups.  Kenya is 80% Christian with many people respecting the voice of the church.  But like the United States, there is separation of Church and State and if political leaders ignore spiritual leaders, there is little more that can be done.  Many church leaders, like my brother, are faced with challenging situations as they try to reach out and assist those who are displaced by violence while working with those in authority to encourage dialogue. 

3.  Pray that the potential humanitarian and economic crisis will be contained and will not spread to the entire east and central African regions which are dependent on Kenyan industries for manufactured goods and for many services.  In Uganda for instance, the country is shutting down due to shortages of gas which they import from Kenyan oil refineries. 

4.  Finally, pray that democratic institutions for good governance will survive the current assault.  As a ministry, recognizing that people’s well-being is integral to the gospel of peace that Christ has come to proclaim to all, we have invested heavily in the region in recent times as we convened conferences on leadership and good governance.  Pray that satanic impulses will be contained and that the message of Jesus Christ of love for one’s enemy will prevail. 

Thank you for caring for the poor of the world.

P.S. To learn more about SWIM or to financially support our global ministry efforts including those in Kenya, visit www.swimmin.org  You can donate to our efforts by following this link

Sammy Wanyonyi International Ministries (SWIM), 1130 Grove Circle, Victoria, MN 55386; Phone: 612-220-7999; Web:  www.swimmin.org 

Dear Ministry Friend,

Looking back on the Journey that the Lord has brought us over the last twelve months, we give thanks for the many things He has done in and through SWIM.  On the 15th this past week, for instance, fifteen people prayed to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at the 23rd annual city of St. Paul prayer breakfast.   Dave W. Anderson, founder of Famous Dave’s chain of restaurants and U.S. undersecretary for native Indian affairs shared his testimony following which I gave a salvation message and invitation.  The date also marked our 2nd year anniversary since the launch of SWIM.

Earlier in October, SWIM’s work with leaders, especially in Africa, was highlighted at the Transforming Church Conference at Bethel University and Seminary.  I also spent time with students at Oakhills Christian College in Bemidji, Minnesota, inspiring and encouraging them in their walk and service to God.

Here are some highlights that we are thankful to the Lord for as we look back starting Nov 2006-Nov 2007:

* Proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ to over one hundred thousand people in five different nations. 

* More than four thousand people have given their lives to Jesus Christ through our direct ministry

* Nearly two-thousand leaders have been equipped, encouraged and inspired in their service to God and society

Indeed, the Lord continues to honor His Word as He changes lives through our efforts of obedience to take the Good News around the world.  

As we begin the holiday celebrations this Thursday, I thank you for your partnership and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.  Jesus’ cry over the nine ungrateful lepers healed in the Gospels reminds us of the discipline of giving thanks (Luke 17:11-19).  May we pause long enough to remember the Lord’s faithfulness and provisions in our lives.  May we extend smiles and embraces of gratitude to our friends, family and neighbors as we lift up our eyes together in honor of Jesus Christ. 

Looking ahead to 2008, we believe God is opening greater and wider doors to impact more and more people for the Kingdom.  We re-affirm our commitment to our calling to proclaim Jesus Christ to all lost peoples around the world, to mobilize the Church to embrace the Great Commission, and to equip the present and next generation of leaders in their spiritual quest and service to God and society.   

Once again, I invite you to continue to partner with SWIM in this noble task until all know.  As the Lord speaks to your heart, consider supporting us with an end-year gift to enable us to execute plans for 2008.   Kindly note our current contact information above.  For more information on SWIM, visit our website www.swimmin.org.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sammy Wanyonyi

SWIM President

JCfan Life Tip: “We have an itch that what we just accomplished, no matter how great, is never going to be good enough to sustain us.”

From Good to Great Pg 72

  Fifteen people prayed to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at this year’s city of St. Paul Prayer Breakfast.  Leaders from across Minnesota’s State Capital came together to call on the Name of the Lord for the city and its’ institutions. 

In a brief evangelistic message following a keynote address/testimony by Dave Anderson, founder of Famous Daves’ restuarant chain and U.S. undersecretary for Indian Affairs, I invited participants who did not yet have Jesus as Lord and Savior to give their hearts to Christ.   We concluded the time with fervent prayer for the continued prosperity and Salvation of our city and State of Minnesota.     

 About 500 business and community leaders attended the event organized by the community churches at the Crown Plaza Hotel, downtown St. Paul.  To God be the glory!

JCfan Life Tip:  I do not yet know everything.  I do know, however, that God changed my life when I prayed to receive Jesus Christ into my heart.

(Famous) Dave W. Anderson, U.S. Undersecretary for Indian Affairs and Founder of Famous Daves’ Restuarant chain

The arrival of the month of November marks the beginning of a busy holiday season.  We have Thanksgiving and then before we know it, Christmas is here.  It is time for making friends, renewing old ones, celebrating year-long accomplishments, and strengthening family bonds over turkey legs and marshed potatoes with gravy.  We get to share meals, exchange gifts, and create memories of laughter and joy.  We get to say to our families, friends and neighbors ”welcome to my mikdash me-at.”

I have heard it said that in the Near East as in many African cultures, to share a meal with someone is a guarantee of peace, trust, fraternity, and forgiveness.  A shared table symbolizes a shared life.  So, when an orthodox Jew says, “I would like to have dinner with you,” it is a metaphor implying, “I would like to enter into friendship with you.”    To extend a dinner invitation is to say, “come to my mikdash me-at” - the miniature sanctuary of my dining room table where we will celebrate the most sacred and beautiful experience that life affords - Friendship.

Well, to all of you my friends I say this holiday season, “Welcome to my mikdash me-at!” 

JCfan Life Tip:  “I am meant to be a river and not a reservoir, a passage and not a barrier.”  Sammy Wanyonyi

  Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, delivering his address immediately after I led the delegates in a moment of prayer,  applauded the start of the Pan Africa Trade and Investment Summit at the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute with prayer.    Pawlenty re-echoed the centrality and significance of faith and values in American business enterprise and public leadership and discourse.   

While showing due respect to all other faiths represented at the summit, I prayed and asked Jesus Christ to bless our efforts of networking American investors with African trade and investment opportunities.   Among participants at the summit were representatives of various U.N. agencies, several Ambassadors and consul generals of different African nations, representatives of the Federal government in Washington DC, Minnesota business leaders, and members of the African business community in Minnesota. 

Sighting as example a former American President who would start crucial meetings by observing a moment of prayer, the governor acknowledged our dependence on God for blessing in our business enterprises and underscored the role of faith in American discourse and business enterprise. 

 In his keynote address, Cargill Executive and SWIM advisory board member Dan Dye emphasized values-driven trade and investment transactions as underguarding Cargill’s operations in 66 nations around the world.  He reiterated that this should guide emerging trade partnerships between potential investors and their African trade partner nations.  Dan’s presentation had at its core God’s Kingdom values which he sees as also being business values. 

Open for Business

Governor Pawlenty took note of Africa’s rise as the new trade and business frontier.  Currently, some of the world’s fastest growing economies are in Sub-Saharan Africa, with more than eighteen nations registering annual growth rates of over 6 % during the last five years.  Compared to current growth rates of the United States of 1.3, Pawlenty pointed out that Africa is clearly the place to look for new profitable business opportunities.  

While Minnesota has one of the highest number of fortune 500 companies per capita compared to other States, Pawlenty noted the increasing importance of African nations to the future of Minnesota business.  “Minnesota cannot afford to overlook the opportunities in one of the world’s most important emerging markets.  We are well positioned to become a national leader in cultivating new customers, clients, business partners, and friends throughout Africa,” he said.  Pawlenty hinted that plans are underway for him to lead a trade and business delegation from Minnesota to several African countries in the coming months.  The two-day summit concludes Friday afternoon, October 5th.  For more on the Summit visit Mshale Newspaper.

JCfan Life Tip: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Solomon- Proverbs 9:10