The Next Generation of Missionaries

Eight years ago, after decades of fruitful ministry in Kenya, CMF’s Kenya Church Catalyst Team (KCAT) embraced a bold new direction. Having helped establish strong, independent churches and trained countless pastors, the team shifted their focus: they wanted to help the Kenyan church become a missionary-sending force. Their renewed mission—Unhindered Disciple-Making—and vision—to catalyze Christ’s Kingdom expansion in Kenya and beyond—were born out of a desire to see Kenya, once a mission field, become a launching pad.

Since then, KCAT has helped launch a Kenyan-led sending agency (Community Christian Mission Agency), founded Harvest Missionary College, and supported a growing disciple-making movement. More than 16,000 Discovery Bible Studies have started, over 12,000 people have been baptized, and new groups have spread into eight East African countries. Today, with a vision to send 50 Kenyan international missionaries in the next 10 years, the dream is taking root.

The first group of nine missionaries is now being trained and equipped. Among them is James Sinkua, former bishop of the 450-congregation Community Christian Church. James, once a shepherd discipled by CMF missionaries, began dreaming of a Kenyan sending agency back in 2010. Today, he and five teammates—students at the missionary college—are preparing for vision trips to unreached people groups in Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Also training are Ekiru, Joy, and Shakina—young leaders with deep ties to CMF. Ekiru, mentored by CMF missionaries Joel and Rachel Williams since childhood, is currently on a REACH internship in Brazil while finishing his degree in agriculture. Joy, a teacher, and Shakina, an accountant, felt called to missions during a REACH internship in Kenya and have since left their jobs to pursue full-time missionary service. All three are attending a missionary training school in Mombasa and plan to serve internationally.

From reimagining a legacy ministry to launching a new generation of Kenyan missionaries, KCAT has seen God do more than they imagined. We celebrate this movement and pray these first nine will be the beginning of many more.