A Strategy for Evangelizing the Chonyi People in Kenya Coast Field

Abstract

Evangelism is considered a major factor in propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ, emanating from the Great Commission as recorded in Mathews 28:19. The researcher identified a gap in evangelizing the Chonyi people and subsequently developed and used a strategy to suit the area, where cultural issues had prevented evangelism. A two week evangelistic campaign was planned in collaboration with the few local church members, whom the researcher previously involved in a one week workshop on “Strategies for Evangelizing the Chonyi People Group in Kenya Coast Field”. As the workshops were going on, a medical missionary team conducted a free medical camp to the Chonyi people in Kasemeni. This was designed as an access strategy. The two-week evangelistic gospel campaign was held in the month of December 2011 at Kasemeni within Chonyi, in the coastal strip of Kenya. Working in Team comprising five pastors and ten trained church members, the campaign was conducted in an open air at the venue which is also used as a market place by the villagers. The outcome of the meeting was the baptism of 30 people, who accepted the message of Jesus Christ and were converted. As a sign of repentance, they were baptized by immersion in water, in the view of the people gathered to spectate an event so rare and unique in their sight. The other impressive outcome was that church members in the local area displayed immediate interest in evangelism. Teams of three to five were organized to do house to house visitation and to nurture the new converts. A local city church was approached to sponsor one evangelist, who would be stationed in Chonyi for the succeeding one year, to be a resource person, caring and nurturing. Also established was ‘friendship’ evangelism team that was to do follow up during the three week post-baptism sessions where doctrines and the gospel were put up for discussion.