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8 March 2018, Arusha, Tanzania: From 8-13 March 2018, the World Council of Churches organizes the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in Arusha, Tanzania.

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Abuom, the immediate former moderator of the central committee of the World Council Churches, was a member at the St Lukes Anglican Church in the southern part of the city. Here, she helped establish the St Lukes Primary School, a childrens learning centre which stands within the church grounds.

When we see the primary school, we remember Dr Agnes Abuom and her work,” said Rev. John Mwangi Kariuki, a curate of the church. Abuom was a very committed member of the church, very straightforward in her undertaking, and very elaborate in the things she would have wanted done.”

A go-getter, she played a key role in this church. No wonder at the end of last year, his grace the archbishop collated her as a lay canon. She will be greatly missed,” added Kariuki.

This week, churches, as well as Christian and ecumenical organizations in Kenya, were continuing to pay tribute to a woman who many celebrate as a devout Christian and a reputable global leader. She will be buried on 15 June at her home village in Kapseret sub-county near Eldoret, a town about 264 kilometres (164 miles) west of Nairobi.

On 13 June, at the Anglican Church of Kenya All SaintsCathedral in Nairobi, the family, friends, and members of the ecumenical movement will join for a memorial service of the ecumenical leader. Daily prayer meetings are also continuing at the cathedral until 10 June.

Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit of Kenya in his tribute said her life impacted so many ecumenists worldwide.

She leaves behind a rich legacy of a humble, tested, thoughtful, and committed leader,” said Sapit. She never shied away from expressing what she believed was the right approach to building strong national, regional, and global institutions. For this, and many other outstanding contributions, she will forever be remembered.”

From 1991-1997, she worked as the Anglican Church of Kenya provincial development coordinator, a period she is credited with standing out in her advocacy for national peace in Kenya. Working as the national director of the Anglican Development Services, the then-human development arm of the Anglican Church of Kenya, Abuom provided strategic leadership that saw the church stand out as a pillar of social justice and beacon of hope, according to Sapit.

The archbishop hailed her for restructuring the development work of the church, which saw the launch of 10 regional offices and the bolstering of the networks to enable development reach the grassroots.

In September, in an address to the churchs Standing Committee of the Provincial Synod, she offered contextual ministry as the best line to better confronting emerging issues such as climate change.

Her installation as lay of the canon of the All SaintsCathedral Diocese was essentially one way of demonstrating our love and recognition of her tireless service to humanity,” said Sapit.

Beyond her Anglican church, Abuom played a key role in issues related to the National Council of Churches of Kenya.

Mary Mugambi, a retired National Council of Churches of Kenya official, recalled that Abuom was key in the organization's roundtable meeting with funding partners.

She was very clear on what to present to the funding partners, very precise and committed to the ecumenical work of churches. We called her our ecumenist,” said Mugambi, while highlighting Abuoms deep concern and determination to see improvement of rural poor lives.

I admired her so much, especially her ability to work with all people, regardless of their statuses or faith,” said Mugambi. Its a big loss, but she has left behind a legacy that we can emulate as church workers….She was our girl, she ran the race and completed it.”

WCC obituary: "Peace Pilgrim Agnes Abuom dies at 73"