For the most part, it is true that Africa has been well evangelized. But the saying is also true that Africa’s Christianity can today be described as “miles wide and an inch deep.” Evangelism alone does not guarantee a strong or discerning church. The long-term work of discipleship must follow.
Discipleship is close to Stephen’s heart. From his homeland of Kenya, he has seen the devastating effects of shallow Christianity. The prosperity gospel is rampant in Africa. Because many pastors have no training, they lead their flocks into a syncretistic mixture of whatever beliefs the pastor prefers. This makes a mess of people’s lives. It’s common for people to leave these churches to start their own, creating a new cycle of problems.
From his youth, Stephen knew God wanted him to be a pastor but that he should shepherd people wisely. Not knowing where to get Bible training, Stephen worked 10 years in the Kenyan government until the Lord opened the way for him to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the US. Stephen and Edna returned home to Kenya in 2006 and began holding Bible studies, eventually organizing Elgon View Baptist Church.
More than 100 attend regularly, and over 50 percent were saved through the Muindis’ ministry. In addition to regular weekly services and Sunday Schools, Stephen and Edna hold individual monthly fellowships for kids, youth, ladies, and men. The Muindis need to take a furlough soon and want to ensure their people are well-grounded beforehand. So, Stephen conducts an informal Bible institute two Saturdays a month.
The people are drawn to the depth of teaching Stephen and Edna offer, and Elgon View is quickly becoming a stable and mature congregation. When some local pastors advocated the African cultural practice of tribal initiation rites, Stephen helped his people understand that they needed to discern and separate themselves from the satanic elements of this tradition. Stephen is also cultivating an awareness of the importance of giving. The church has started a building project and doesn’t want to depend on outside help for funding. This awareness also extends to tithing, as Stephen tries to prepare the church to one day support its own Kenyan missionaries.
"On the New Frontier" first appeared in the summer 2010 issue ("The New Africa Is Coming") of Baptist Mid-Missions' Advance magazine.