Leaders host event at the site where the first missionaries in the country served.

October 13, 2024 | Kenya | Beson Ogayo, Kenya Lake Conference, and Adventist Review

The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Kenya Lake Conference (KLC), a church administrative region within the West Kenya Union Conference (WKUC) in the East-Central Africa Division (ECD), celebrated a remarkable milestone on September 28 — 150 years of Adventist missionary work in the area.

The special Saturday (Sabbath) event took place at Gendia Primary School, the very site where the first Adventist missionary to work in Kenya began his journey, creating an atmosphere filled with inspiration and reflection. The event not only honored a rich historical legacy but also showcased the enduring impact of faith, service, and community development that continues to thrive in the region.

Pathfinders lead a procession with church leaders during the September 28 celebration of the 150th anniversary of Seventh-day Adventist presence in Kenya. [Photo: Lake Union Conference, West Kenya Union Conference]
ECD communication director Emmanuel Pelote was the special guest, together with ECD associate secretary Robert Muhune and WKUC secretary Japheth Ochorokodi. The gathering also welcomed representatives from all the Adventist institutions within the KLC, including Kendu Adventist Hospital CEO Philip Gai, and Alvin Eliamani, general manager of the Africa Herald Publishing House. Additionally, frontline pastors, department directors, and church workers attended, contributing to the diverse representation at the gathering.

Adhering to traditional liturgical guidelines, the program was vibrant and uplifting, celebrating the significance of 150 years of dedicated missionary efforts. Ingalish Sati, Churchill Nyakinda, and Polycarp Akoko shared the inspiring history of the Gendia mission, emphasizing how the pioneering work of early missionaries laid the foundation for the thriving church community we see today. Gai also recounted the rich history of Kendu Adventist Hospital, formerly known as Gendia Hospital, highlighting its vital role in the region’s health care and spiritual mission.

ast-Central African Division communication director Emmanuel Pelote preaches at the commemorative event in western Kenya on September 28. [Photo: Lake Union Conference, West Kenya Union Conference]
Ochorokodi commended the KLC “for its steadfast commitment to missionary work,” highlighting “the profound impact of their efforts in advancing the church’s mission and addressing the spiritual and social needs of the local population.”

The highlight of the event was Pelote’s compelling sermon. He passionately recounted the life of John N. Andrews, detailing the challenges and triumphs of this pioneering missionary. “Move beyond merely being church members and actively embrace your role as missionaries in communities,” Pelote urged the congregation. He called for humility and a Christ-centered approach to leadership, encouraging all to allow Jesus to reign in their lives.

Church leaders and members who attended the September 28 celebration. [Photo: Lake Union Conference, West Kenya Union Conference]
The September 28 event served as a reminder of the transformative power of faith and the importance of continued dedication to mission work, which has significantly contributed to education, health care, and spiritual growth in the region. As the mission in the area celebrates 150 years of Adventist work, it stands as a testimony to the enduring legacy of those early missionaries and the ongoing commitment of the Adventist community to uplift and empower the people of the area.

Following Pelote’s powerful message, Robert Muhune reinforced these themes. He challenged the congregation to deepen their faith and distinguish between mere attendance and genuine discipleship. Muhune invited attendees to step forward, pledging to transform their lives by committing to the true path of faith and resisting worldly distractions. This call to action underscored the event’s significance as not simply a celebration but a renewed commitment to the mission of the church in the years to come.

Beson Ogayo is president of the Adventist Church’s Lake Union Conference in western Kenya.