Africa is a large and diverse continent, home to many different peoples, cultures, and languages. However, at the recent All-Africa Ministerial Conference, held in Kenya from February 3–5, it was very evident that the leadership representing its Living Church of God congregations is of one accord and one Spirit.
The conference was held at the Starling Bird Resort off Mombasa Road, southeast of Nairobi, where 27 ministers represented about 1,500 members and attendees from 76 congregations and eleven African countries.
Some, especially in North America, may not know that our attendance in the United States makes up only about 47 percent of our attendance worldwide. The Living Church of God has a vigorous and growing membership in Africa, and God continues to call the people He chooses from all around the world, even in the remote areas of their countries. And we pray that He will continue to provide dedicated ministers to serve His flock wherever it resides, as He has in Africa.
Many Languages, One Gospel
Presentations at the conference were given in English and translated into Swahili and French. English and Swahili are Kenya’s official languages, and most brethren speak one or both of those along with their traditional tribal dialect. In Kenya, where there are more than 30 distinct languages and dialects in four major language groups, the tribal language most-spoken is Kikuyu. Many of our members in the western portion of Kenya speak Luo.
South Africa has twelve official languages, with Zulu, Afrikaans, and English widely spoken. Zambia has many languages spoken by its various tribal groups, but the English of its colonial times is the nation’s official language. Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, and English is the most common second language because of the country’s colonial days. In Tanzania, English and Swahili are spoken along with dozens of other dialects—our ministry there speaks Swahili.
Having a language in common is an important factor in creating a national identity. In the nations of Western Africa, the lingua franca—the common language—is the French of their colonial days. As a result, we at Headquarters in Charlotte communicate with our Kenyan and South African ministry in English, but our communications with Congo, Cameroon, or Côte d’Ivoire often must be translated into French.
Though all these languages and dialects may sound very different, these various tongues all speak the same thing when it comes to the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the truth that the Living Church of God teaches. There was a great unity of faith and all present at the conference shared one Spirit.
Long Journeys
For those traveling from the U.S. to Kenya, the trip is a long one, with the usual route being Charlotte to London to Nairobi. From Charlotte, Mr. Gerald Weston stopped off in London to meet with the brethren there and to speak at Sabbath services on February 1. I traveled straight through from Charlotte to Nairobi—about 24 hours door-to-door—and served at Sabbath services on February 1 with the Nairobi brethren. Also in Nairobi, prior to the conference, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Muthama were very kind to provide a pleasant lunch and afternoon meeting at their home for me and several of the traveling ministers.
Depending on location, travel in Africa can be challenging compared to travel in other parts of the world, and many of the ministers traversed long distances by bus, automobile, or air to attend the conference.
While the trip for the U.S. ministers took a considerable amount of time, some ministers who were traveling within Africa had a much more difficult journey. For instance, three of our French-speaking ministers from Burundi—Mr. Zacharie Ngendakumana, Mr. Marc Nkunzimana, and Mr. Juvenal Karibwami—had an arduous three-day journey in which they used private vans, public buses, and member transport. There were long delays at the borders, and road conditions sometimes slowed travel. But, having arrived, they were excited to attend the conference and felt that it was well worth the difficulties.
Upon arrival at the conference, there was much joyful meeting and greeting with old friends and new acquaintances. As previously mentioned, 27 ministers attended from eleven African countries, representing Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Ministers attending from outside of Africa came not only from the U.S., but also from Belgium and the United Kingdom.
Conferring Together
The reasonably priced Starling Bird Resort is located about 25 miles (41 kilometers) southeast of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. The attractive, fenced-in facilities of this resort are in a preserve area, reached upon traveling about two miles down an unpaved road. Conference attendees found the rooms to be clean and comfortable, with good mosquito nets, and the resort staff was friendly and helpful. Hyenas could occasionally be heard in the distance at night, but not much wildlife was visible locally.
Well-prepared meals were served cafeteria-style under an outdoor canopy, and the attendees moved between tables to get to know each other better. Since the altitude of the Nairobi area is more than a mile high (about 1,800 meters), the temperature was comfortable.
The attendees arrived at the conference on February 3 and departed February 6. Presentations and panel discussions were led by ministers including Mr. Gerald Weston, Mr. Peter Nathan, Dr. Scott Winnail, and me. There were also area reports given by Mr. Simon Muthama, Mr. Rees Ellis, Mr. Ryan van der Watt, and Mr. Lawdi Ferreira. Topics included preaching the Gospel, feeding the flock, handling administrative matters, and navigating legal difficulties in Africa. Also discussed were translation issues, the use of technology, the history of God’s Church in Africa, and fulfilling literature requests. Ministers received spiritual encouragement and advice, and they also participated in a question-and-answer session.
Attendees were thankful that Mrs. Helen Abok, the widow of Mr. Ephraim Abok, was able to attend, and they were very encouraged to see the ministerial ordinations of Mr. Hermann Loko-Aikpe of Benin and Mr. André Donhachi of Cameroon. God is providing more laborers for His fields in Africa.
After the Conference
At the departure time, there were fond goodbyes as most of the ministers began their trip home, while Mr. and Mrs. Weston, Mr. Nathan, and I continued onward by van for the long drive to Kendu Bay in western Kenya, traveling by way of the Great Rift Valley.
The Kendu Bay brethren have a tradition that visitors plant a tree when they come so they will want to return to see how it has grown. Mr. Weston, Mr. Nathan, and I all planted trees at the Church’s Kendu Bay site and hope for another visit. Mrs. Abok provided a fine luncheon at her home.
On the Sabbath of February 8, Mr. Weston spoke at the Church’s Kendu Bay facilities, and later in the day he gave a sermon to brethren in the village of Othoro. I traveled to the Kokuro congregation, where the local brethren have constructed a meeting hall, at which 94 were present. In each location, the sermons were translated sequentially (“consecutive interpretation”) into the region’s Luo language. Since there is often no electricity available at the buildings, the Kenyan brethren typically sing hymns without accompaniment but with harmony—and often enjoy spontaneous singing before and after services as well. The brethren are warm and friendly, and when we entered the congregations, we always knew right away that we were among brothers and sisters in Christ.
On the evening after the Sabbath of February 8, a large outdoor dinner was held, featuring a variety of Kenyan foods and attended by many from the local congregation. The food was cooked over open fires at the site, as is usually done for such occasions. The Kenyan brethren bade loving goodbyes to their guests and urged all to return soon.
The next day, the Church’s trusty local driver, Carlos, took us to the airport at Kisumu for the flight back to Nairobi. Many international flights out of Kenyatta International Airport depart around midnight, so there was time for an evening Bible Study at a nearby hotel. Mr. Weston spoke to the brethren, some of whom traveled a long distance to attend from surrounding congregations.
The African brethren expressed great appreciation and support for the Work being done through the Church. Some said that they considered Mr. Weston’s visit to be historic for the African congregations, since it has been many years since there has been such a visit. There is clearly a great unity of Spirit and purpose among the African ministry and brethren of the Living Church of God, and they send their love and regards to all.