PCMF Kimuri and the Call to Stewardship: Faith in Action at the Church of the Torch

Today, I had a deeply fulfilling encounter with the Presbyterian Church Men Fellowship (PCMF) of Kimuri (Church of the Torch). As they prepare to observe their annual PCMF Day this coming Sunday, the men have dedicated the entire week to acts of service, living out their faith through community impact, care for creation, and responsible stewardship.

During our interaction, we shared a rich discussion on the sacred duty of tree growing and environmental stewardship. I was honored to donate seedlings of East African Greenheart (Warburgia ugandensis), Prunus africana, and Olea africana; three indigenous species with immense ecological and medicinal value. Together, we explored the idea of partnering to tag and name each tree within the Church of the Torch compound, highlighting its identity, heritage, and uses, transforming the grounds into both a living classroom and a sanctuary of creation.

Environmental stewardship is not a modern idea; it is a divine mandate. In Genesis 2:15, we read: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” This profound verse reminds us that humanity’s first calling was not to exploit the earth, but to nurture it. As the PCMF members cleaned the church grounds and mowed the lawns, they were not merely tidying a space, they were fulfilling that ancient covenant between God and creation.

"Faith comes alive when we nurture the world God entrusted to us."

The Presbyterian Church Men Fellowship stands as a cornerstone of leadership, discipline, and service in the Church of Scotland tradition and, by extension, in Kenya’s Presbyterian heritage. Since the early missionary era at the Church of the Torch; the mother church of Presbyterianism in Kenya, the PCMF has embodied the biblical image of the “elders at the gate” (Ruth 4:1-11, Proverbs 31:23), men of wisdom and integrity who provide counsel, protection, and guidance to the community. Their mission extends beyond Sunday worship, it encompasses mentorship, family stability, and community transformation.

In a time when climate change threatens both livelihoods and legacies, the PCMF’s engagement in environmental conservation is a testament to faith in action. Trees, after all, are more than vegetation, they are symbols of life, hope, and continuity. The East African Greenheart is valued for its medicinal bark and resistance to pests; Prunus africana heals both bodies and ecosystems through its medicinal and carbon-sequestering properties; and Olea africana, the wild olive, represents resilience and spiritual steadfastness, much like the men who plant them.

As I walked with the PCMF through the Church of the Torch compound, I saw more than just a cleanup exercise, I witnessed a living sermon. A reminder that faith without works is dead (James 2:17), and that true worship includes caring for the earth that God has entrusted to us.

The Presbyterian Church Men Fellowship continues to play an indispensable role, as spiritual guardians, family anchors, and environmental champions. Their example should inspire all believers to live out the gospel not only in word, but also in deed, tending to creation, uplifting communities, and planting trees whose shade future generations will enjoy.