| dc.description.abstract | This is a survey of the establishment, progress and contribution of the Seventh-Day
Adventist Church in Central Kenya from 1933 to 1988: The Adventist Church originated
from the United States of America in the mid nineteenth century. During the second half
of the century the Church gained entry to Europe which became the second stronghold of
Adventism. From the European continent the Church entered Kenya in 1906.
The establishment of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Kenya was preceded by
that of other Christian' denomination among them were the Church of Scotland Mission
(C.S.M), Church Missionary Society (C.M.S), Africa Inland Mission (A.LM) and the
Roman Catholic Missions. This explain why the Church was initially established in South
Nyanza and Gusii District where 'no other Christian denomination had hitherto entrenched.
In, this areas the activities of the Church were concentrated between 1906 and 1932. The
year 1933 marked the beginning of the Church's activities in Central Kenya. The opening
of the Adventist work in this region was carried out by white, missionaries aided by the
early African converts in South Nyanza and Gusii Districts. Later, African converts in
Central Kenya were incorporated into the gospel ministry.' Some of these African converts
In Central Kenya became active evangelists and were instrumental in opening and managing
the first Adventist Mission Schools and Churches in the region.
Initially, the white missionaries occupied 1eadership positions. In the Church and
therefore supervised the Adventist work in Central Kenya. However, the outbreak of the
Mau Mau war necessitated the transfer of Church leadership from the European to the
African missionaries. This was meant to encourage Church growth. The Mau Mau
impended the evangelistic programme of the Church in Central Kenya. However, in later
years, the uprising had positive impact in that it provoked the Church to devise more
effective methods of evangelism. This included the Voice of Prophecy Correspondence
Bible School established in 1954.
The Adventist work in Nairobi was initiated by African converts from South Nyanza
and Gusi. Districts working in Nairobi. They established a chain of branch sabbath schools
which later became organized Churches. The founders of these Churches for all practical
purposes were leaders of their respective Church groups. They also founded schools and
health centres which fostered social economic development. The S.D.A was therefore part
of the development agents in Central Kenya. | |
