church in Kenya

Serving in Mission

THE CHURCH IN KENYA

History of Christianity
The National Church
Current SIM Ministry
SIM's Partner Church

History of Christianity

The first Protestant mission to Kenya was the Church Missionary Society. Its first pioneer, John Krapf, arrived in 1844. He remained after the death of his wife and child to establish a work that over the years has grown to become the Anglican Church of Kenya, with over 1,000,000 adherents. The British Methodists arrived in 1862 and established a work that also continues today. In 1891, the Scottish Presbyterians began work that established the Presbyterian Church of East Africa.

Africa Inland Mission (AIM) began work in 1895 under the direction of the Mission's founder, Peter Cameron Scott. The work began in the coastal city of Mombasa with a party of seven missionaries. Scott and five others died, and the one remaining man returned home. A few years later, a second attempt was made, and an inland station was opened at Nzawi. Out of this labor the Africa Inland Church (AIC) was formed in 1943. Today, the AIC has more than 1,000,000 members.

Much of Kenya is open and receptive to the gospel. In most areas of Kenya, the church has complete freedom to evangelize and has experienced rapid growth over the past 20 years. Young people are especially open today. However, there are ethnic groups who have not yet responded to God's love and forgiveness and SIM is reaching out to them.

The National Church

The Africa Inland Church (AIC) is the largest Protestant body in Kenya and is growing. It has a major emphasis on evangelism.

Current SIM Ministry

SIM Kenya has enjoyed a close relationship with Africa Inland Church (AIC) for 25 years and supports the AIC directly in such areas as youth work, medical work, Bible college teachers, Muslim outreach, and orphanage workers. SIM is also working in ministries such as HIV/AIDS initiatives, Pastors’ book sets, and leadership training in partnership with other denominations and like-minded organizations.

SIM desires to provide a gospel witness and to encourage Muslim background believers (MBB) as they mature in the Lord. The team uses one-on-one discipleship, Bible studies, sports, educational ministries (such as teaching English as a second language and computer education) and community development in agriculture, water, and health.

Besides sharing the good news of Jesus with several Muslim groups, SIM is involved in planting churches among the animistic Daasanach people group. They provide community service ministries to the Daasanach, such as literacy and health.

Life Challenge Africa (LCA) operates throughout the continent, promoting Muslim evangelism through training seminars, community-based outreach initiatives, personal evangelism, and the production and distribution of printed and electronic resource materials. LCA team members partner with church groups, theological institutions, parachurch organizations, and individuals to present the gospel to Muslims.

Urban Ministries Serving God (UMSG) is a strategic initiative to help churches in the growing towns and cities of Africa. SIM's goal is to help the urban church to live in surrender to Jesus and accomplishes it through research, training, seminars, information services, networking, prayer, and other supportive and practical means.

SIM’S Partner Church

SIM has staff working with a number of denominations, including Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), African Inland Church (AIC), Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), Dove International, and Gospel Outreach Assembly (GOA) and is continuing to expand relationships with other denominations.