Find a mission worker — Kenya
Nancy Collins, regional liaison for East Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia) Learn more about the work of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Kenya. |
Kenya, a country with a population of over 40 million, spans an area about 85 percent of the size of Texas. It is a country of great ethnic diversity, which is often a source of the country’s political tensions. Most Kenyans speak both English and Swahili and many also speak one or more of the 42 different ethnic tribal languages. About 22 percent of the population live in cities, and 75 percent of the population are under the age of 30. Nairobi, the capital city and the country’s largest urban center, is home to about 3.8 million people. The people are mostly Christian with 45 percent identifying themselves as Protestant and 33 percent as Catholic. About 10 percent are Muslim, another 10 percent adhere to traditional religions, and 2 percent practice other religions. The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s church partner in Kenya, traces its origins to missionaries from the Church of Scotland who arrived in 1891. The work of those early mission workers has borne much fruit. The PCEA now has more than 4 million members and it continues to grow rapidly. The PC(USA) began work in Kenya in the middle of the 20th century and continues to send mission personnel at the request of the PCEA.
Marta Bennett
Marta is the deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs and professor of leadership studies at the International Leadership University in Nairobi. She trains Christian leaders for service in churches, para-church organizations, business, and government, integrating leadership with discipleship and mentoring. “While evangelism continues to be crucial,” she says, “even more strategic are discipleship and professional skill development so that the gospel can take root, transforming lives and society as a whole.” Home presbytery: Seattle; Learn more
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Nancy Collins
regional liaison for East Central Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia)
As regional liaison for East Central Africa, Nancy facilitates PC(USA) relationships with partner churches and institutions in Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, and Zambia. Her special focus is on partners’ work related to evangelism, leadership development, and church growth. Nancy also provides support for other mission personnel in the region and assists PC(USA) congregations and presbyteries that are in or that want to be in a relationship with partners in East Central Africa. Home presbytery: Southern New England/Des Moines; Learn more
Brenda Harcourt
Brenda provides leadership training for the Presbyterian Church in East Africa by serving on the staff at the Presbyterian University of East Africa and teaching in the theology department. “It is really exciting because it means I am teaching students I will work with eventually in the presbyteries when I do training in those areas,” she says. “We start with prayer and rely on God to guide the plans.” Home presbytery: Blackhawk; Learn more
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