Pastor Wilfred Lai, the founder of Jesus Celebration Centre (JCC), recently stirred debate after criticising what he described as shamefully small offerings from some church members, questioning why congregants who spend freely on their families give so little to support the church.
Lai challenged worshippers who, in his view, prioritize household spending over church contributions, saying some offerings were so small that he felt they were an insult to the church.
“Some of the offerings that are given, sometimes I feel like throwing it back to the people; it is sick things; you cannot give them even to a beggar on the street. Others even come empty-handed and say even the Lord knows. When we stop this mockery,” he said.
He went on to compare the money parents spend on their children with what they give during church services.
“You give your kids KSh1,000 or KSh500 to buy junk food, and when in church you give them KSh200 to the church; woe unto us who have bewitched us,” the pastor added.
What Pastor Wilfred Lai Runs Alongside Jesus Celebration Centre
Beyond his preaching and public remarks, Lai leads a ministry that operates a range of religious, educational, broadcasting and charitable activities under Wilfred Lai Ministries (WLM), the parent ministry of JCC.
According to the church’s official website, the ministry oversees six main arms: JCC TV, the Word Explosion Africa Summit, Kingdom Empowerment crusades, the Wilfred Lai Foundation, JCC Educational Complex and JCC School of Ministry.
The activities span broadcasting, education, evangelism, ministerial training and support for vulnerable children.
The church says the 1 Million+ Partners movement funds it, bringing together believers who contribute monthly to support the ministry’s work.
JCC TV
JCC TV is the ministry’s broadcasting arm, airing church services, talk shows, conferences, crusades, children’s programmes and gospel music.
The church says it incorporated the station in 2014, building on three decades of gospel broadcasting.
The ministry’s programming is guided by five pillars: the Word, Faith, Giving, Fellowship and Prayer.
Word Explosion Africa Summit
Lai’s ministry also organizes the Word Explosion Africa Summit, an annual conference that brings together pastors and church leaders for teaching, worship, prophetic ministry and networking.
According to JCC, the gathering has run for more than 30 years and draws participants from across Africa and beyond. The conference takes place at the JCC Bamburi campus in Mombasa.
The 34th edition is scheduled for November 30 to December 6, 2026. The church says day delegates can attend for free, while full-board accommodation costs KSh3,500.
Kingdom Empowerment Crusades
The ministry conducts gospel crusades, tent meetings and prophetic conferences across Kenya through its Kingdom Empowerment programme.
JCC says the initiative began in 2009 as a small partners’ meeting at Nairobi City Hall before expanding into open-ground crusades and mass evangelism events that draw thousands of people.
The programme is intended to spread the Christian gospel through public gatherings and conferences.
Wilfred Lai Foundation
The Wilfred Lai Foundation focuses on helping vulnerable children through education, counselling and rehabilitation.
According to the church, Lai established the foundation in 2014. It operates under the JCC Dorcas Ministry, which the church says has served the community for more than 20 years.
The foundation’s website reports that more than 166 students have completed their education through its support, while 110 are currently receiving assistance. More than 20 beneficiaries are in university, and over 10 have graduated.
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JCC Educational Complex
The JCC Educational Complex is a Christian school and boarding campus in Mombasa.
The institution offers pre-primary, primary, junior secondary and senior secondary education.
According to the church, it provides both the 8-4-4 curriculum and the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Beyond classroom learning, pupils participate in sports, music, the arts and Christian discipleship.
JCC School of Ministry
The ministry also operates a training institution for people preparing for Christian service.
The JCC School of Ministry trains pastors, evangelists, worship leaders and missionaries through Bible teaching, practical ministry experience and mentorship from Lai and the ministry’s senior team.
The church lists certificate and diploma programmes, including training in Christian Ministry and Chaplaincy.
Its website identifies training centres in Mombasa, Machakos, Nairobi, Kisumu, Kitui, Mwingi and Voi.
Jesus Celebration Centre’s Branch Network
Beyond its schools, broadcasting station and charitable programmes, Jesus Celebration Centre has an extensive network of churches across Kenya and other parts of East Africa.
According to the church’s official website, JCC has five main centres in Kenya, a branch in the United States and more than 400 branch churches across Kenya and the wider East African region.
The five Kenyan centres listed on the website are JCC Bamburi, which serves the North Coast; JCC Buxton on Mombasa Island; JCC West in Chaani; JCC South in Likoni; and JCC Capital in Nairobi.
The church also lists JCC Twin Cities in Minnesota, United States, as its international branch.
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Books Written by Pastor Wilfred Lai
Pastor Wilfred Lai has also published books on Christian faith, prayer, leadership and church life, according to the Jesus Celebration Centre website.
The titles listed on the church’s website include Living By Faith, which is available in a new Platinum Edition, The Feasts of the Lord, Honour: Gateway to Your Blessings and Prayer: A Powerful Weapon.
Other books attributed to the pastor are Living Under the Apostolic Grace and Where Was Simon Peter’s Wife?, which examines the often-overlooked role of a minister’s wife in the church.
JCC says the books can be purchased at its resource desk after Sunday services or ordered for delivery anywhere in Kenya
How Wilfred Lai Ministries is funded
The church says the different activities operate under Wilfred Lai Ministries, which it identifies as the parent ministry of Jesus Celebration Centre.
According to JCC, the 1 Million+ Partners movement provides financial support through monthly contributions from believers around the world.
The church says these contributions help fund its broadcasting, conferences, crusades, schools and foundation.
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