DNK International By Harun Barasa,Nairobi.
Parents and guardians have been urged to create families that are safe havens for their children.
Speaking during a three day seminar on marriage and family at the Ruaraka Baptist Church, Nairobi, Dr. Benson Otemba Inyangala, the Board Chairman for the Household of Love Centre, a faith-based non-governmental organization that focuses on community development and family empowerment in Kenya, emphasized that families are like nests, meant to provide shelter and security for all members.
The convention brought together parents, guardians, and young adults for interactive sessions, discussions, and expert guidance on building resilient Christian families.
Dr. Inyangala advised parents to spend both quality and quantity time with their children, befriend them, incorporate fun into parenting, and love them unconditionally.
He cautioned against raising children strictly by how one was raised, noting that there are no universally accepted standards of parenting.
At the same time he highlighted communication as a cornerstone of family unity, urging honesty and focus on current issues rather than personal attacks.
He warned that unresolved issues, anger, and lack of response are enemies of effective communication.
“Parenting is a mandate from God,” he reminded, encouraging parents to engage openly with young adults about their challenges.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Inyangala urged parents to remain prayerful, avoid neglecting their duties, strive to improve without imitation, and for fathers to take the lead in guiding their families.
While addressing the same congregation, Rev. Peter Wangaruro, the senior pastor at the Kingdom Family Church in Githunguri, Kiambu County, called on the youth to respect their parents and avoid entitlement.
He encouraged families to cultivate love, uphold respect as a permanent value, and support each other’s growth. “The devil is threatening to break up families. However, God is blessing families, commanding them to be fruitful and increase in numbers,” he said.
Rev. Edward Mburu of the Ruaraka Baptist Church in his closing remarks about the convention, pledged that the church will be more intentional in organizing programs that bridge the gap between parents and youth, and that strengthen parenting in the 21st century.
[DNK-International@August 18,2026]
