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

Help Workers Plant Churches in Kenya

A gospel campaign over four days this year brought the message of salvation to 550 homes and individuals and 1,500 people in open-air events at a market center. “Our 400 Swahili Bibles were distributed to the new converts,” the ministry leader said. “We praise Jesus that we were able to plant a church among three sub-tribes on the slope of the Pokot tribe.” The church is now meeting in the market area of the town, and a worker has begun discipleship and other teaching there. Workers need donations for such gospel outreach and follow-up. Pray that Christ’s saving power will be revealed to more people, and that faith will grow in strength and depth.

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.

Help Send the Salvation Message in Kenya

A local chief who persecuted the church in his area, frequently jailing native workers, attended a funeral. After hearing the pastor preach at the memorial service, he came forward and announced that hearing the gospel had changed him. “He declared that he wanted to be born again, and that he would not harass and detain the pastors who have been preaching the gospel,” the ministry leader said. “He continues to testify daily to his friends and people from his tribe.” Workers planted 45 house churches over one year. Donations of $25 or $50 are sought to proclaim Christ throughout the country. Pray new Christians will grow in their knowledge of the Lord.

Help Bring the Salvation Message in Kenya

Meeting many people who are ill and oppressed by unclean spirits, native Christian workers offer to pray for them and see God manifest His power. One worker prayed for a woman who had suffered with an illness for 15 years, and the Lord delivered her. “She gave her life to Christ, and now she is a born-again sister,” the ministry leader said. Visiting homes with the gospel and distributing Bibles over one six-month span, workers shared the gospel with more than 700 people. Donations of $25 or $50 are sought to proclaim Christ and nurture the faith of new believers. Workers request prayer to be able to meet the needs of the poor.

Share The Good News Of Salvation in Kenya

Many women attended a two-day conference organized by a native ministry, and “there was a great movement of the power of God,” according to the ministry leader. During their time together, some experienced healing while others experienced deliverance and reconciliation. “Many marriages had collapsed,” the ministry leader reported. “But the Lord spoke the word of peace and now there is peace to many.” The women also spent time praying for those not in attendance and ministering to those participants who were poor and in need of comfort. Your donations support such evangelism. Pray that the fellowship of believers will be filled with the joy of the Lord.

Support Discipleship Of New Christ Followers in Kenya

Christian missionaries have organized multiple events and fellowship opportunities to encourage believers and nonbelievers alike. They evangelize door to door, lead open-air and tent revivals, visit the sick, and attend school rallies. They have also created seminars for youth and women, planted a new church, and baptized new believers. Recently, they organized a mass wedding alongside a dedication service to those entering missions work. “We have seen the blessings of God upon His people,” the ministry leader said. Donations of $25 or $50 support missionaries in their daily service to the Lord. Pray they will remain faithful to their calling and be encouraged in their faith.