Unhindered Disciplemaking in the Heart of Kenya

As our Church Catalyst team in Kenya focuses on their vision of Unhindered Disciplemaking, CMF missionary Joel Williams has been responsible for bridging new teammates to their disciplemaking method. This was the same with Sam and Becca, but Sam and Becca were no normal recruits to the team. Sam, a Kenyan Maasai, grew up in CMF’s ministry in Kenya and was mentored by CMF missionaries, while Becca served in Kenya for several years previously, as a teacher, before marrying Sam and moving back to Kenya to serve full time with the team. As Joel began to work with Sam and Becca, it was clear God already had people of peace prepared for them. Even before their ministry began, while they were setting up their home, they met Nelson Kavene, a pastor and carpenter who would help them set up and furnish their home… little did they know, he was so much more.

The more time Sam spent with Nelson, the more we saw his heart for God’s ministry. By the time the house was finished, Sam and Nelson had started doing Discovery Bible Studies together. That led to Nelson starting groups in his church…and the beginnings of a movement were born.

The discipleship was effective; in a short period of 3 months, 3 groups grew to over 20, so Joel and Sam did their first level one training together at Nelson’s church. Now, in just over a year, Nelson’s small church of 15 people has grown to a network of 57 groups and over 450 people. As the groups have multiplied, Joel and Sam continue to do trainings together and mentor Nelson. Sam, Nelson, and their team are now doing the level one trainings on their own.

Introducing disciplemaking helped the congregation to know how to discover the bible, to build relationships, and make disciples. The Holy Spirit is moving in the slums of Ngong town, and the Lord is using Nelson’s church to make Kingdom impact. Nelson’s church experienced a paradigm shift from a traditional church to a disciplemaking church. Now, alongside Joel, Sam and Becca have helped the church start the first of a chain of coffee shops that are providing jobs for the disciple-makers, further transforming their community, becoming a thriving hub in the community, and funding Nelson’s ministry for years to come.

Sam and Becca have also been influential with the team’s partnership with the network of churches in Kenya, launching and building Harvest Missionaries College, and mentoring future Kenyan missionaries. They are witnessing life change – Muslims coming to Christ, testimonies of physical healing, women and men healed from past traumas, and the Gospel being spread as they serve their community and make disciples who make disciples.