RSS FeedViolence in Kenya
Written by Peter Youngren on January 20th 2008I have traveled to Africa for more than 25 years, and there is no country I have visited more than Kenya. To me Kenya has always represented Africa’s best hope for democracy and peaceful interracial relationships. This is why it is so shocking to hear the devastating news over the past weeks. Kenya has always struck me as a country of optimism, but obviously that good feeling has taken a hit after the December 27th election.
To date, more than 600 people have been killed. Particularly shocking was the appalling incident at an Assemblies of God church outside the city of Eldoret, where almost 50 people were burned to death, and several of those who attempted to escape where cut down with machetes. Political pundits blame the problem on tribalism and corruption, and rightly so. Yet, when I read of the atrocities between the Kikuyu tribe and the Luo tribe, I am startled because I have precious friends within both of those tribal groups and have seen them work together for the cause of the Gospel for decades.
Maybe more than any African country, Kenya has been open to missionaries. Almost every mission in the world is represented in this East African country. The 70’s and 80’s were a time of genuine spiritual revival, when tens of thousands of Kenyans came to Christ. Our ministry has conducted large Gospel Festivals in nine cities with amazing results.
During my visits to Africa over the last five years I have been particularly concerned about a “drift” I have noticed; a drift away from the simple, Jesus focused Gospel to more mystical forms of Pentecostalism with emphasis on holy oil, strange manifestations, spiritual mapping, self centered prosperity teaching etc. There seems to be a lessening focus on what Christ accomplished at the cross. I just visited another African country, much similar as far as the potential for tribal infighting. One pastor told me that Charismatic pastors had invited church members to bring their AK47 machine guns to the service so they could anoint them with oil to evoke a divine blessing for greater accuracy as bullets were fired. That is extreme, but I must admit that I was not surprised. It seems at times the lines between spiritual warfare and using bullets has become fuzzy. I have mentioned before about a highly acclaimed pastor who publicly prays that God will cause Palestinians and Arabs to turn on one another in mutual destruction hardly the Spirit of Jesus, who came not to destroy but to save (Luke 9:56). This week I put plans into action to go to Eldoret, the city where this horrible crime was committed, to conduct a Festival focusing on redemptive truth. What is the hope for Africa, or any nation?
1) A revelation that Jesus’ death on the cross tore down divisive barriers between tribes and nations. We who were not a people have become a people. The idea of the old covenant was separation between the High Priest and the regular priests, the priests and the people, men and women, Jews and Gentiles. Whenever old covenant thinking takes root in the church, we go back to this theology of separation. The Gospel liberates so that we discover that no group has the advantage over the other, but that we are all one in and through Jesus Christ.
2) Let’s get back to Gospelization instead of Christianization. So much of mission effort has been to install western Christian values and traditions rather than the liberating Good News of Jesus.
Faith comes by hearing, and as the truth of Jesus’ finished work on the cross is proclaimed, it effects human behavior. Pray with me for our plans to start a Bible College in Kenya. The idea is for a school that will touch the Swahili speaking world, which includes not only Kenya, but Uganda, Tanzania, parts of Congo and Rwanda.
Let me hear from you - Peter
skymaster
As my wife and I prepare for mission service in that area of Africa we cannot help but to think that Jesus is the only way to transcend tribal boundaries. I noticed that the first line in the Kenyan anthem places it clearly as a country under God. Nairobi may be the center of missionary activity for east Africa but the truth of the Gospel should be the center of the messages you say Peter. Creating Disciples will be the greatest gift to the area, giving impetus to the Gospel. I applaud your efforts to build a school and hope to be able to support that ministry some day. Is there a particular Church group in Nairobi that will be involved?
Beatrice Oghenekevwe
Pastor
I really like the way God is using u to bring the gospel of Jesus which is d gospel of PEACE to where there is violence like this people of God killing themselves cos of either triberlism or religion. What they fail to realise is that the gift of God to us human, so they think they can fight and bring people to their religion or make things work so that there will be no kind of cheating or so, and one thing is that, the heart that satan is ruling there is alway violence like this cos he came to steal, hill and to destroy so that God’s people will not inherit God’s plan in their lives. So I surpport in prayer as u plan 4 the Kenya festival and also use this opportunity to thank God for what God used to do in Nigerian and more as u are planning to visit again in Jesus Name: AMEN
Robinson Abuyeka
when peter youngren visited kenya about five years ago for me i did not know much about him. what shocked me were new street preachers in nairobi who looked send to spoil his reputation and were telling people to avoid his meetings. unfortunately they were not having any bible or connection to any church. This were probably agents of satan. so i missed all his meetings.
Then i decided to open his website in 2003 and was amazzed at the work he does for God. God had saved me in 2000 may 27th at night when i had just gone home, then a junior in nairobi university campus,when karl hargestam visited kenya in 2003 in my remote town kakamega i was a counsellor in his crusades and really learned how to evangelize. karl prayed for us and i took a covenat to serve God in all countries. That time i was taken in the spirit june 2003 and i saw a big title ‘GLOBAL WAY OF SUCCESS’ descending down from heaven. Then i was taken in spirit to an african nation where peter youngren was having a crusade. we travelled with an african but it was me who talked to rev peter youngren. Then he taught me how to pray and seek God.he also had me see how he prays. when i woke up i was thinking of starting a ministry of end times so i thought this must be my ministry. but along the way there were many things for me to learn. I thought of joining Wibi college in canada but funds were limited. see wendy pearce or moni rossi
When i got born again by conviction of the holuy spirit i had read articles of ev. reinhard bonke and the bible where i attended campus crusade for christ programmes in kenya. the holy spirit concvicted me to salvation(isaiah 59:15-20). kenya is like mount zion and the new jerusalem is nairobi. The devil has attacked us by raising a standard but the spirit of God will put him to flight. the devil killed my sister in october 2000 amnd its like she was raisedfrom the dead and keeps on fighting me in the spirit. for the last seven years i keep battling her and even the name of Jesus has little effect on that demonic spirit. my parents were saying they want to satart sacrifising for her but i told them the salvation which i have is greater.every time i do not pray for myself, family or even neighbours, the devil attacks them.
In 2002 God showed me his church in kenya in ruins. he said only the holy spirit can make things better. In 2003 i was told by an angel of GOD|...O forgotten man of God.. come and see’the scriptrure hebrews 5:6-9 was given to me with the writtings,.. YOUR ARE APRIEST FOREVER IN THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDECK….If i was anointed by satan then my actions could tell. only God can be patient and keep his anointed servants as low as he kept me.
In 2004 God appeared to me and told me to wake up. so i asked God why? He told we(kenya) are one of his point men in this generation. He also told me he will come to anoint new leaders in kenya who will lead us in the way. when my ministry took time to pick up I have had numerous meeting in kenya on prayer, leadership etc. And the responses were not bad. To day my name is recognized world wide as a youth leader in kenya. I have identified and had good mentors who are proud of me.
Having participated in the elections december 27th 2007 in kenya which i did prophecy that no change is coming i can say ,they were fair except in tallying of presidential votes. Alot has happened. over 800 people are dead and 300 000 dsplaced. last week when travelling from kakamega to kitale to eldoret to nakuru the nairobi, we were attacked at molo with 300 men who had arrows. our bus and other vehicles had police escort but police only pleaded with them. we were lucky to pass and reach nairobui unhurt. some people have taken advantage of elections to display hatred and tribalism as youth gang up to chase and kill alien neighbours. I believe this was the only way God can measure righteousness and justice(plumbline) in kenya. we have failed the test but God still wants to bless us. hatred is also called murder. we have to rebuild the church and restore righteousness. zion must shine and jesus is coming back soon. we are praying but need more seriousness.
kenya is in the bible isaiah 18 and zephaniah 3:10. kenya is already blessed (isaiah 60) but satan always comes first before any blessing from heaven reaches man. Amos was scared when God measured jerusalem using a plumpline: they are so small God. will jacob survive! so says the book of Amos. so will kenya survive?
Thanks Peter youngren and folks for your concern in Africa and even kenya. we are innocent (33 million kenyans except those few poised to do evil attracting Gods wrath). The gospel must be preached.GOD BLESS KENYA.God bless all we care about kenya. Amen.
Robinson O. Abuyeka(PRIEST OF GOD)
http://robinapproach.com/aboutrobin.htm
http://.robinapproach.com
http://globalvisionaryleaders.blogspot.com
CURRENTLY A PRIEST AT THE ANOINTED CHRISTIAN CENTRE NAIROBI.
cell +254 721 675310
Email:robinabuyeka@yahoo.com
Address: Robinson o. Abuyeka
c/o Ias/uon
p.o box 30197 nairobi 00100 kenya
Dominic Cerisano
Dear Pastor,
I am truly blessed to hear of TICC’s plans to hold a service in Eldoret. I hope you are inviting other churches in Toronto to follow.
Here are two verses from my recent meditations that seem to be relevant:
Col 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
I take from this that only in the body of Christ is there peace. No place is this unity clearer to me than at TICC.
Luk 12:51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
I take from this that Jesus separates sheep from the wolves. No place is this division clearer to me than recently at Eldoret.
2Th 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
Perhaps Elodret is a sign of his coming.
Soon, Lord, soon.
bob esweka
you are falsely mischaracterising Kenya as a land of revival in the 70’s and 80,s. i was born in the eighties but from my experience the christian religion was always taught through my schooling years upto 2000 but the saving knowledge of christ did not come to me until the millenium. so to think that the best days of God’s revival are behind us in Kenya is a fallacy.don’t give up on Kenya for God says behold i do a new thing. the best days for kenya are ahead not behind. as for the Gospel of prosperity, if their has ever been a place that needs to hear that Jesus was the son of God who owned cattle upon a thousnd hills and that gold and silver belongs to him and that promotion does not come from the east or the west but from God on high then Africa is that place. so do not reduce our savior to a beggar. by the way the greatest revival in Kenya’s history is taking place as i write in 2008. so behold i do a new thing. for no longer would you say praise be to the God that delivered us from Egypt, but blessed be the God who does new things in our midst. i live in mesquite Texas, originally from Kenya. E-MAIL address holla.
Inqusitive
Totally irrelevent and unrelated…
question… Why is there are lots of ranking in North American churches.( NOT AT NCC/TICC).For Ex… there is a word used in some Churches ‘ Firist Lady’ (refering to the pastor’s wife.) What is up with that? And, Who is the second and third etc… Lady. Is there any Bibilical precedence to this? Does’t the bible say we are all one?
Dominic Cerisano
Just responding to the above question Posted by Inqusitive.
If you look at my posting above, your observation is not ‘totally irrelevent and unrelated’.
Col 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
What you are discerning are differences between the Kingdom of God and the empire of man.
In the Kingdom there is no hierarchy of persons - just the triune God (the head, or husband), and everybody else (the body, or bride).
Angels have a hierarchy, but are not persons having free will.
Humans were created to worship, and so we all do. If the recipient of our worship is the Father of Christ, then we are obedient to the scriptures.
A quick review of the Lord’s Prayer will confirm this in it’s first two words - ‘Our Father’.
Jhn 14:6 Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
To help you with your question, when our focus is first on Jesus, then we are correctly worshipping our eternal father, and we can be sure he is receiving our prayers.
Heirarchies serve no purpose in worship and prayer. Please do not allow your primary focus to be misdirected toward these, or anyone/thing else. That would be idolatry and disobedience, grieving the Holy Spirit.
Remember, first Jesus, then everybody else, followed by everything else. That is obedience and pleases God.
Ignatius
Pastor,
its comforting to know that there is someone who will stand in the gap for these nations when all the world seem to be indifferent to the violence and grief that plagues the world. I pray that God will give you the wisdom and knowledge in your ministry’s plans and actions for this country (Kenya). it’s always sad to hear when christians are martyed for their faith. Yet we all know that all this in not in vain. God is going to bring something good out of all this. The devil kills but the devil has lost right at the start because Jesus crushed Him at the cross.
May the Lord cos all that you put your hand into prosper and reap the 100 fold blessings. And His victorious blood protect you from all evil.
Psalm 91
Deut 28:7