Kenya
Date Entered: 1983
Major Ministries: Church Planting
Country Profile
Kenya, an independent African country the size of Texas, is a land of variety in landscapes, culture and religion. Kenya is bordered on the east by the Indian Ocean and Somalia, Ethiopia to the north, Uganda to the west, and Tanzania to the south.
Kenya’s natural beauty and wildlife draw thousands of tourists each year to visit the game preserves, snowcapped Mt. Kenya, and beaches along the warm Indian Ocean.
Although Kenya has a history of more than hundred years of Protestant missionary work, and Bible is taught as an academic subject in high school, religious confusion reigns because of the varied teachings that circulate throughout the country under the label “Christian.”
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest religious body in Kenya, although it is intermingled with animist beliefs. Islam is growing at a rapid rate and currently claims 10% of the population.
Because of the country’s emphasis on education and lack of schools to meet the demand, there are opportunities to start Christian elementary and secondary schools.
The ABWE team is looking for personnel who can teach in a Christian day school, Bible institute, and work with children and teens to extend the present church-planting ministry into neighboring towns. Youth centers are planned to reach the growing population of youth, the source of potential church leaders.
The opportunities for Bible based ministries in the rural towns of Kenya are unlimited. Working in Kenya requires a willingness to persevere in ministry to see fruit that remains.