2023 ANNUAL REPORT
Dear Friends,
As we reflect on the incredible adventure in ministry our team experienced in 2023, our hearts are filled with joy to witness the blessings and growth that God continues to shower upon BlueSky’s work in Kenya.
We’re also so thankful for the commitment from our dedicated team, passionate volunteers, and the faithful support of you—our BlueSky Global family. With your help, our mission to build relationships through adventure is reaching thousands of lives each year, creating a ripple effect of positive transformation around the world.
In addition to highlighting accomplishments from 2023, this year’s Annual Report takes a look at our vision for the future. BlueSky is embarking on an “Enlarging Our Tent: Deepening our Impact” initiative, strategic for the longevity of the ministry and one inviting our partners to come alongside BlueSky in preparation for strengthening the pursuit of our vision and mission.
BlueSky’s incredible journey is continuing, and we invite you to be part of the bright future as we walk together into this new and exciting adventure. We can’t wait to share more about this vision with you soon!
With deep thanks and anticipation,
Over the last 23 years, God has nurtured, directed, and grown Blue Sky’s footprint and impact in Kenya. Each of us in the BlueSky Global family can tell our personal story of how Blue Sky positively affected our lives through community, discipleship, and the courage to follow God’s call. That story is replicated each day because in these experiences we have been spiritually transformed and equipped to influence the world for God’s glory.
In this report, we want to convey three important points. First, your generosity of financial resources, time, and prayer is well stewarded. There is a disciplined focus and intentionality in all BlueSky program areas resulting in ever-increasing connection points equalling changed lives. Second, BlueSky has established itself as the leader in providing adventure experiences through camp, climb, expeditions, family life and team development in Nairobi. This is because of the dedicated team who have proven exceptionally relational and steadfastly Christ-centered. Lastly, BlueSky leadership possesses a great vision to scale growth to meet the everincreasing needs in the region. Growing our capacity will ensure generations can experience the transformational impact of connecting with Blue Sky.
When I returned to Kenya this year, I marveled at the growth and change I witnessed. It made me reflect on 2 Corinthians 9:6, “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” We know you share a sense of urgency to influence lives through relationships and the Gospel. We are humbled that you have placed trust in and partnered with Blue Sky to meet this need. Thank you for being part of the important work of sowing, and may God be glorified in the harvest.
In
Him, Matthew Espenshade Board MemberIMPACTING THE WORLD THROUGH ADVENTURE
OUR
MISSION IN ACTION
• Utilizing Outdoor Adventure Settings: Engaging people in ways that stretch them physically and mentally, bringing them into spaces where experiences and learning come together for real life change.
• Evangelizing and Discipling Youth: Engaging young hearts in winsome ways, sharing the gospel and sparking their spiritual journey. We’re committed to ongoing discipleship to help students and young adults to walk steadfastly in their faith. We do this through weekly small groups, youth group events, and special programs throughout the year.
• Fostering Family Resiliency: Ministering to marriages and families as we help them become more intentional in connecting with one another, deepening their relationships, and making a positive difference to others in their world.
• Equipping Leaders: Growing their strengths, talents, and abilities in order to live out God’s call on their life as they influence their communities
• Igniting Passion for God’s Call: Inspiring individuals to leave Nairobi with a burning passion to follow God’s unique call on their lives.
• Discipleship Opportunities: International communities across Nairobi lack sufficient discipleship opportunities, limiting their spiritual growth and connection with God.
E
COR
VALUES
BY T HE NUMBERS
$907,466.83 $377,000.00 $111,228.01 $305,061.89 $5,438.38 $1,158,487.31 $462,226.00 $1,620,713.31 $1,706,195.11
CONTRIBUTIONS
CAMP ADVENTURES COMMUNITY PROGRAM OPERATIONS
GRANTS
CLIMB & EXPEDITIONS
CLIMB EXPEDITIONS
Experiences: 10,161
Lives Impacted: 3933
Experiences: 10,161
Lives Impacted: 3933
Experiences: 1,218 CAMP
Lives Impacted: 203
CAMP
TEAM DEVELOPMENT
TEAM DEVELOPMENT
Experiences: 1,006
Lives Impacted: 2,116
FAMILY LIFE
programs. We do this primarily through weekly community groups, young adult discipleship, marriage ministry, and family camps throughout the year.
FAMILY LIFE
Experiences: 142
Lives Impacted: 440
ENLARGING OUR TENT
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left…”
Isaiah 54:2
LASTING IMPACT
Since its inception nearly a quarter century ago, BlueSky has had the opportunity to serve over 100,000 lives (represents ongoing influence). Year-over-year growth from 2022 to 2023 reflects a 41% increase of new lives reached, and we’re poised to grow by another 10% in 2024. This trajectory of growth underlines the pressing need to expand our capacity to meet BlueSky’s transformative vision for reaching the multinational community in Nairobi for the gospel.
This further confirms the desire and urgency to focus on the coming Enlarging our Tent and Deepening our Impact initiative, creating an exceptional, set apart, sequestered space that facilitates personal growth along with fostering deep relationships with God and others.
This retreat space will allow BlueSky to significantly expand ministry capacity, reaching and impacting more lives with the gospel. Information about this exciting initiative will be announced this fall.
TWO OBJECTIVES
SOLIDIFY LONG RANGE PRESENCE IN KENYA
by building a set apart, sequestered retreat space serving students, young adults, couples, families, and leaders as they learn, grow, and foster real relationships with God and others. Enlarging our Tent in this way will create a place where individuals and families return for generations to come as transformational experiences result in lasting life-change for all ages.
INCREASE CAPACITY FOR INFLUENCE
by recruiting leaders to serve with BlueSky across roles in Adventures, Camp, Family Life, and Support Services. BlueSky will focus efforts on recruiting, mobilizing, and retaining these leaders, who are crucial to deepening our impact and ensuring longevity in Nairobi and the surrounding areas.
