By David Farlow

Initial reports from Kenya indicate that the Church of God congregations and missionaries there are unharmed by the recent violence associated with the frustration over the presidential elections held on December 27.

“We are in daily contact with our missionaries, who are located in the Kisumu region of Kenya,” said Bob Edwards, Global Missions coordinator for Church of God Ministries. “At this time we have not heard of any loss of life for any of our Church of God Christians.”

Edwards said the missionaries in Kenya are well, but as a precaution, they are not traveling outside of their compounds. He added that the Kima International School of Theology has postponed its opening until later in January. Unfortunately, their food supplies are diminishing.

The Church of God presence in Kenya is one of the largest internationally. The congregations are spread throughout the country. Churches are located in the major cities of Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, and Mombasa, and other large towns where there has been fighting. It is possible that many of the congregants are being personally affected by the rioting. There is also a large congregation in the Nairobi neighborhood of Kibera, where much of the worst fighting has taken place.

The Church of God in Kenya is predominately made up of the Luhya tribe, which has not been involved in the rioting.

Church of God Ministries’ staff will continue to monitor the situation in Kenya. Please pray for the people of Kenya:

• Pray for the restoration of peace and unity within the country.
• Pray for the safety of our missionaries, national leaders, and Christians in the country.
• Pray that there will be restraint by both the opposition party and the governing party.
• Pray that justice will prevail.
• Pray for the safety for those who have been innocently caught in the fighting.
• Pray for the provision of adequate food for the poor people.