Kenya

Partner with Local Missionaries in Kenya

Located in the 10/40 Window

Hard-hit by both drought and flooding, and then locust swarms, Kenya is an economic leader in Africa, and yet half of its population lives below the poverty level. Ailments associated with poverty such as malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition remain common threats, killing many children. Corruption in government is responsible for an inability to address these concerns.

Kenya has a diverse population of many ethnic groups. The largest native ethnic groups are the Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo and Kamba. The northeastern border area with Somalia is inhabited by many ethnic Somalis, and Muslim extremists from Somali rebel group Al Shabaab or their sympathizers have launched many guerrilla attacks on migrant workers from the interior and other Christians.

English and Swahili are the two official languages, with many rural communities speaking their native ethnic languages. At least 69 languages are spoken in Kenya.

While 78 percent of the population identifies as Christian, many belong to nominal denominations, while others blend animistic tribal religions into their church practice. Islam, practiced by 10.9 percent of the population, is the country’s second-largest religion, with most Muslims living in either coastal areas or along the border with Somalia.

Indigenous missionaries are reaching more than 30 unreached people groups. They need assistance for training and support, Bibles, discipleship materials, and bicycles and motorbikes. Other ministry tools such as sound systems and projectors for gospel films are needed, along with simple structures for churches that meet outside.

To combat Kenya’s widespread poverty, ministries are undertaking income-generating projects to support their workers and the communities they are serving. One ministry seeks funding to supply goats so that 40 families can achieve economic stability. Another ministry plans to provide cows to 10 pastors. Local missionaries seek to provide poultry projects to 10 widows and sewing machines for 10 others who complete sewing classes. Local missionaries also seek assistance to provide a brick-making machine to youths who are helping to support their families by selling hand-made bricks. Workers are also providing food, clothing, medicine and education to the children of a community they hope to reach for Christ.

Missionaries and the people they’re serving have been devastated by natural disasters like locust swarms and drought, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Hunger is widespread, and people must migrate or starve. Local workers are providing relief aid to the poor and helping orphans and other needy people with basic necessities and schooling.

Sources: Joshua Project, Wikipedia

53.7 million

Population

47.6%

Evangelical Population:

110

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Kenya

Pray for churches to be unified, biblically grounded and sources of light and warmth in their communities, and that they will be kept safe from hostile animists or Islamic extremists.
Pray that poor children will be become educated or learn trades so that they can obtain work that will lift their families out of poverty.
Pray that local missionaries and those they are serving will survive COVID-19, drought, flooding and locust swarms and glorify God with their lives.

More stories from Kenya

Bring the Light of Christ to Dark Places in Kenya

The pastor of a local church was killed by robbers early one morning as he opened the church in preparation for worship later that day. "He was a young pastor that I have known very well," said a local ministry leader who trained the young man in evangelism and discipleship and also brought him on many evangelistic trips into rural areas. "Pray for our safety. The insecurity where we are working has really increased. But always my heart beats for missions and the Great Commission." Your donations support missionaries who persevere for the sake of the gospel.

Risking All for Christ in Kenya

When Akello*, a young Kenyan pastor, arrived at his church early one morning, he had no idea that day would be his last. As he fitted the key into the lock, robbers suddenly surrounded him, demanding entry in hopes they could steal whatever valuables might be inside. Maybe Akello resisted. Maybe that’s why they killed him. But the details became irrelevant when he fell to the ground, church keys still in hand. “He was one of the Christian youth leaders that I have trained in evangelism and discipleship,” a local ministry leader later said. “The burial will be next week; it is very difficult for them.”

Preach the Message of Salvation in Kenya

Pray for hearts to be transformed as the gospel message is preached. Over the course of a year, local missionaries showed the Jesus film in more than 130 villages and 17 public schools. As a result, more than 1,400 people heard the gospel, 510 people gave their lives to Christ, and 394 believers were baptized.

Help Form Strong Christians in Kenya

Local missionaries were stunned by the transformation they saw in a shy 15-year-old girl after she accepted Christ. As they discipled her, she developed courage in Christ to serve in her slum community and proclaim the Lord’s salvation, including helping to turn a boy away from the drugs he was starting to take and leading him to Christ. Workers in the native ministry recently reached nine people groups with the gospel, including four new tribes. They and other local missionaries need donations to undertake such evangelistic outreach and follow-up. Pray that more people would grow in their knowledge of the Lord.

Help Provide Gospel Transformation in Kenya

People who have never seen a movie walk miles through the jungle at night to see the Jesus Film in their own language. Local Christian workers providing the film saw conversions at every screening. “When they saw the miracles Jesus performed in the film and His death and resurrection, they just believed in Him alone,” the ministry leader said. “During our follow-up, we have found out that all those who were lost in alcohol have been completely transformed by the gospel and are now preaching the gospel.” Workers need donations for these and other gospel outreaches. Pray that new believers will abide in Christ deeply.

Help the Poor and Hungry in Kenya

Drought devastated the country last year, and native Christian workers helped hungry people to survive, providing thousands of liters of clean water and bags of dry corn, along with corn flour, beans and cooking oil, among other foods. This year many are again hungry as Kenya suffered its sixth straight failed rainy season, and native ministries are again meeting the needs of desperate people with the resources available. “Many folks are in dire need of food, as one region has received little rain, and others not even one drop yet,” the leader of one ministry said. Donations of $35 or $70 are needed to provide such aid. Pray that souls will be redeemed as lives are saved.