A strategy to evangelize Muslims in Kitui Town, East Kenya Union Conference

Abstract

The church of Christ on earth was organized for missionary purpose, and the Lord desires to see the entire church devising ways and means whereby high and low, rich and poor may hear the message of truth.1 Therefore, the Seventh-day Adventist Church gives the priority to evangelism in the spirit of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. While Islam seems to be one of the major non-Christian religions in Kitui town, its adherents are languishing without a clear knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ despite efforts by the pastors who served in this town before. This study examined the factors causing reluctance in evangelizing Muslims in Kitui town and, using the findings thereof, developed a strategy to be used to evangelize to Muslims in this town. In order to achieve the purpose of this study of developing a strategy to evangelize Muslims in Kitui town, this researcher studied relevant literature on Islam and on evangelism and laid a basis for the study. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were applied in an attempt to reach a conclusion and analysis of the results analyzed.2 A survey was carried out using a random sample drawn from Seventh-day Adventist Church members in Kitui to establish factors which affect evangelism to the Muslims in Kitui town. The survey revealed that fear was a major factor in approaching Muslims for evangelistic purposes. After an analysis of the questionnaires, this research revealed that a negative attitude was present among the members toward Islam and they thought of it as “a religion of violence.” The survey also established that many members had no knowledge of Islam culture and teachings. This led the researcher to prepare a program to equip the members for evangelism. An eight-day training was organized from 25th September to 2nd October 2011. After the training, the zeal for evangelism was aroused and the church was involved in action, which lead to the organization of a Muhadhara.