Kenyan Mission Visit

The last week of the trip was spent at Maji-Moto Springs where they had the largest congregation of youth, more than 600 attendees and another 250 ecclesial members!

Bro. Simon Tarypally of the Shadnagar Ecclesia, Hyderabad, India, travelled to Kenya between November 2024 and January 2025 for several gatherings. The main event was the Kenyan Christadelphian Bible Youth Camp. However, he also visited other regions of Kenya during his trip.

Christadelphian Worldwide Praise and Worship Program

During the pandemic lockdown period, Bro. Simon began a project called “The Christadelphian Worldwide Praise and Worship Program.” This program is a weekly Zoom meeting that involves many brothers and sisters from over thirty-five countries. These meetings have fostered strong bonds of fellowship. I have participated in a few, and it is wonderful to have brothers and sisters worldwide sharing in singing, reading, and praise. It was during these Praise events that Bro. Simon developed an initial connection with the Kenyan brothers and sisters.

Since 2020, Kenyan Brethren have video-recorded beautiful Swahili hymns and sent them to the Praise and Worship Program. The group was really touched by the music of the Kenyan brothers and sisters and their amazing vocal harmonies. Bro. Simon was invited by Bro. Jacob Mutunga and the Kenyan Committee to speak at the Kenyan Bible Youth Camps. His theme was “Living a Life for Christ.” The talks focused on having a balanced, practical, and spiritual life in following Christ.

Bro. Simon and Bro. Jacob Matunga travelled to six regions in Kenya for the camps: Nairobi, Matuu, Mombasa, Kitale, East Inland, and back to Mombasa, the last of the camps. There were participants from Congo (DRC), and Burundi.

The first camp was the “National Kenyan Youth Camp,” which was organized for youth eighteen years of age and up. The other classes were given by native Swahili speakers, Bre. Jacob, Sammy, and Zakayo Mutunga.

The group next traveled to the Likoni Ecclesia in the Mombasa Region for the Second Youth Camp, which Bro. Zakayo Mutunga and his ecclesia organized and hosted.

On that Friday, they hosted the “Praise and Worship” Zoom meeting live broadcast from Kenya. On Saturday, Bro. Simon gave a talk on “Living a Life for Christ,” followed by much singing and fellowship. The following day, there were three baptisms at Likoni Ecclesia, Mombasa. The baptisms were performed at the Indian Ocean. The beach was a short one third mile walk from the Likoni Ecclesia, so the whole ecclesia walked together to the baptism.

Bro. Simon gave the exhortation on Sunday at Likoni, on “Baptism and the New Life,” with the three new members in mind.

Next, the group travelled to Yatta, Matuu region, about 186 miles by car. This was to attend the first Agape in Action-sponsored Youth Camp. It was a good time and fellowship. The Camp was already full of young people. Most were in their early teens and above, around 14 and above.

There was a wonderful Song & Praise Night at the Camp, and the young people demonstrated their talents by singing. Bro. Jacob hosted the “Crazy Olympics” and “Sports for Youth” program, which included such games as “Slippery Football,” “Thug or War,” and many more. Bro. Simon exhorted on Sunday on the subject of “Having Belief Based on Jesus’ Resurrection and Life.”

On the fourth week, Bro. Simon travelled with Bro. Vincent to the North Rift Valley Region. The camp venue was at full capacity. Each camp had new people, new faces, and new ways of singing. The study talks went really well. The group met the elders of the ecclesia, Bro. Issac Kapa (CBM Chair for North Rift) and Bro. Simon Wafula, Director. The venue was at a CMaD Venue School, where the Agape Youth Camps were organized.

On Sunday morning, there were twenty-six baptisms at the Camp. Baptisms were done at the large Athi River, which flows nearly 150 miles from the City of Nairobi.

Bro. Jacob delivered the Sunday exhortation, and CBM members Joshua Kweye, Simon Wafula, and Issac Kapa organized the farewell arrangements. Over 450 participants attended this Camp!

The last week of the trip was spent at Maji-Moto Springs, Mombasa Region, a nearly 500-mile trip. There, they experienced the largest congregation of youth, with more than 600 attendees and another 250 ecclesial members. Bro. Simon exhorted on, “I am the Living Bread.” While they were in Maji-Moto Springs, there were seventeen baptisms. The group had a wonderful time, with sports, singing, fellowship, and warm love.

Bro. Simon highly recommends that those interested in visiting or serving in Kenya contact the Kenyan CBM Link Brother, Bro. Jeremy Morgan. His email is kenya@cbm.org.uk.

Dave Jennings