In Kenya, Global Mission pioneer Leenus began a new Adventist congregation in a former bar—an unlikely setting that villagers initially rejected. After registering 360 people for Bible studies, baptizing 15, and planting a new church where no Adventist presence existed, Leenus watched God transform skepticism into growth. Today, a new church building stands as a testimony to God’s power and the perseverance of mission work in unreached communities.
People in the village scoffed. “These Christians must be deluded to think we would worship God in a building with such a wicked past,” they declared.
Leenus, a Global Mission pioneer in Kenya, had an unlikely setting for growing a thriving congregation—a small room that used to be a bar. His ministry as a Global Mission pioneer also had an unlikely beginning. He was a church pastor of a different faith, but he was raising a new group of Seventh-day Adventist believers.
Leenus became an Adventist after attending evangelistic meetings and studying the Voice of Prophecy (VOP) Bible lessons. “I found there was truth in them,” he stated. He set out to share that truth with his former members as soon as he was baptized.
Leenus registered 360 people in the VOP Bible study course. He went from home to home, answering their questions until every one of them had completed the course. To his delight, 15 of them requested baptism.
The conference leaders conducted the baptisms and told Leenus that he would lead the new flock. But then they changed their minds. They were so impressed by Leenus’ ability to reach others that they made him a Global Mission pioneer. “They told me to go into the interior and fetch more people,” Leenus said, smiling.
When Leenus arrived in the new town, there was no Adventist presence. He went door to door, sharing the Adventist faith. After much effort, one person accepted the message. “I told this man, ‘Hold my hand, and together we will reach others.’”
Leenus held a series of evangelistic meetings, and several community members attended. When they asked, “Where is your church,” Leenus had to tell them that they were meeting in a shop.
“No, no!” they responded emphatically, learning that the shop was once a bar. “We can’t worship God there. That’s impossible.”
Leenus was tempted to feel discouraged, but he soon realized God had a plan. “God wanted us to start in a bar so He could use His power and people to support us.”
Leenus prayed about having a church and, eventually, God helped him acquire land and people to help build the structure.
Now, 10 members meet every week on Sabbath in the brand-new church. And some come as far as 12 kilometers away.
Leenus plans to hold evangelistic meetings in the community. “That way, people can see and know we are here,” he explained. He believes having a new church has helped people feel God is with the church plant. “They can see that God is doing something for us. He is expanding us and helping us grow.”
Please pray for Global Mission pioneers who, like Leenus, have accepted the challenge of planting churches among unreached people groups around the world. Learn more about Global Mission pioneers: bit.ly/GMPioneers.
Rick Kajiura
communication director for Adventist Mission.
