Host:
Isaac Adams
Overview:
But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress. (Obadiah 12)
Join Isaac as he heads to Kenya to talk with Pastor Ken Mbugua about tribalism and its hidden faults. Kenya, along with some of its churches, has wonderful diversity as there are 42 tribes there. And every five years Kenyan pastors of multi-ethnic churches are reminded of their diversity. Why?
Because every five years there is an election.
Mbugua discusses the animosity between tribes such as the Luo and Kikuyu, and how confrontations and conflicts occurred over accusations of rigged elections and police brutality. “Kenya descended into an intense time,” Mbugua said, reflecting on the 2017 Presidential Election.
One tribe felt disenfranchised. Another felt confused and perhaps callous. And Mbugua discusses how he led his church through this difficult time. He explained why, “You need to do a better job convincing me of your plight,” is anything but a helpful response.
Mbugua goes on to talk about Western missionaries and how, though the Lord has used them, some have unwittingly done great harm. Nonetheless, Mbugua takes hope because “the Lord sometimes does a lot of good through us but often despite us.”
Links & Show Notes:
3:45 — The Challenges of Ethnic Diversity
9:22 — “No one is tribalistic in Kenya”
14:20 — Kenyan Presidential Election
20:53 — Strength & Weakness in Addressing the Church
31:24 — Reflections on the State of Race in America
37:00 — Missionaries & Race
45:00 — Prayer
1. Meet Ken Mbugua
Produced by Josh Deng