Save a church and mission school from demolition

Dear Friends, Supporters, and People of Goodwill,

On behalf of my home church, Word of Faith Utawala- Nairobi Kenya (Africa), I am urgently appealing for your help. I recently inquired how the church has been fairing on since I moved to USA four years ago. I learned that the church is in great distress.

I was informed that the church, which has stood for eighteen years as a place of refuge, welcoming those in search of spiritual nourishment, comfort, a sense of belonging is now threatened with demolition due to an outstanding debt of $139, 272.98. The debt came about when the ownership of the property where the church stands was challenged in a lawsuit and the church lost because the individual who had sold the land to them died before the title deeds were issued. The church offered to repurchase the property to save the church building and church’s community school (that serves needy families) from demolition. However, due to a protracted drought, locust invasion, famine, COVID and a general economic decline in the country since 2020, the congregation, despite every effort, has not been able to raise the funds.

When I got the information, my heart was filled with what I am now calling “Nehemiah’s sorrow.” Right now, in Kenya many people can barely afford three meals a day and it’s very saddening that the place of their spiritual nourishment is at risk of being taken away as well. If this happens, many people especially the youth and children will suffer tremendously. Children who go to school in the community school will lack an education as well as Christian upbringing. The church has been negotiating their stay with the new owner of the property, but his patience is running out. He has already issued an eviction notice and unless we raise the money within the next three months the church and the school buildings will be demolished. Word of Faith church, Utawala has been more than a building but a home for worship, a center for children and youth programs, a shelter for those in need, and a symbol of hope in the community..

With permission from the church leadership, I am humbly reaching out to you to help us cover the outstanding debt. Every gift, no matter the size, brings us closer to preserving this Holy ground and continuing the mission we have been called to. We firmly believe that together in faith and by God’s grace, we can overcome this predicament by supporting our brethren in Kenya to protect this sanctuary in the community for current and future generations.

If you are unable to contribute financially at this time, your prayers, encouragement, and the spread of the word are equally appreciated.

Please give, share, and pray with us.