An Update from Murray Cornelius, Executive Director for International Missions

Dear friends,

“We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”  1 Thess. 4:14

We are deeply saddened by the news that our dear sister and co-labourer in mission, Jade Kenyamanyara, passed into the arms of Jesus on November 30, 2020.

Jade suffered an acute stroke in Tanzania on November 24 and was airlifted to Nairobi, Kenya, for a higher level of care. Despite several medical interventions, and prayers going up around the globe, Jade had a subsequent stroke and continued to decline. She is now in the eternal presence of her Saviour; the one she declared was worthy of her adoration, her life, and her worship forevermore.

Jade’s husband, Julius, has been by her side in Nairobi this week surrounded by his family, friends from their college days at Pan Africa Christian University, other global workers and pastors from Christ Is the Answer Ministries. Murray Cornelius, our Executive Director for International Missions for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC), Jeremy Feller, Africa Regional Director and David Adcock, CEO of PAOC’s Emergency Relief and Development Overseas, are in Kenya this week as well and are able to provide support to Julius in person. Their three boys, Ezra, Gabriel, and Josiah have been in the care of friends and colleagues in Mwanza, Tanzania. Julius is returning to Mwanza where he will tell the boys and bring them to Kenya.

Jade and Julius serve as director and administrator with Villages of Hope Africa Society in Mwanza, Tanzania. They provide vision, leadership and oversee the day to day running of three Villages, caring for almost 1000 vulnerable children. They also work alongside the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Tanzania to see churches planted through the country, specifically working with the national executive on the planting of the church in Mwanza where they attended as a family. This wonderful church community are providing much love and care for the boys.   

Our thoughts and prayers are with Julius, Ezra, Gabriel, Josiah, their extended family including Jade’s parents, Blake and Christine Davidson and family, members of their Village of Hope and PAOC family, and all who knew and loved her. Should you wish to provide some financial support for the care of this family, you can donate here and mark “care” in the donation instructions.

In times likes these, we are reminded in Scripture,

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:1-4

Jade knew her ultimate reward. As we celebrate Jade’s life and her commitment to living out God’s mission of reconciliation in Tanzania, pray that the seeds that Jade has sown would continue to grow and bear good fruit.

Together in mission,

Murray Cornelius
Executive Director for International Missions
The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada