From Superstition to Belief
The church service came to an end and Pastor Vincent whispered a quiet prayer under his breath. With many new members from the Teso tribe in his congregation, he prays that they would come to rely on the one true God and not combine their Christianity with the indigenous beliefs and witchcraft he has witnessed in this region of Kenya.
Some Teso beliefs are superstitious, like placing a black clay pot facing downwards in the middle of a groundnut field to block the eyes of a witch from destroying the groundnuts. Other beliefs are known to limit agricultural production, for example, by believing that if millet is planted for two consecutive seasons, the farmer will bring death to the homestead.
Many of these beliefs and practices have meant that the Teso tribe has faced marginalization in Kenya as a minority group. Although it is the second largest tribe in Uganda, the Teso community that lives along the Kenya-Uganda border was separated from the larger tribe during the historic scramble and partition of Africa in the 19th century and faces many challenges.
Pastor Vincent has been aware of the struggles and religious syncretism in this community and formed a team in 2019 after his Haggai Leader Experience (HLE) to start praying for this unreached people group. He remembers, “The HLE ignited my heart to pray for souls, to evangelize the lost, and to teach others to do the same. The teachings of the Gospel Mandate transformed my life forever. I believe now that it is my duty to use every means possible to end Gospel poverty.”
His unwavering commitment to the Teso people has led to the planting of 15 churches in the Siaya and Busia counties in the last 2 years. It has also resulted in economic empowerment as farmers are being taught how to plant avocado trees for exporting the fruit. Pastor Vincent believes that the farming industry will employ many people, thus restoring families and lifting them out of poverty.
Pastor Vincent is also a firm believer that prayer plays a key role in sharing the Gospel. His national prayer initiative has been praying for specific people groups to be reached by the Good News and they have seen the results of their prayers by the workers God is sending to the harvest. He is also partnering with other organizations to bring theological training to church leaders in rural villages, and through this many are being reached by the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Would you consider praying with Pastor Vincent for the restoration of all things in Kenya?
Written by Carolyn Grant
From Superstition to Belief
The church service came to an end and Pastor Vincent whispered a quiet prayer under his breath. With many new members from the Teso tribe in his congregation, he prays that they would come to rely on the one true God and not combine their Christianity with the indigenous beliefs and witchcraft he has witnessed in this region of Kenya.
Some Teso beliefs are superstitious, like placing a black clay pot facing downwards in the middle of a groundnut field to block the eyes of a witch from destroying the groundnuts. Other beliefs are known to limit agricultural production, for example, by believing that if millet is planted for two consecutive seasons, the farmer will bring death to the homestead.
Many of these beliefs and practices have meant that the Teso tribe has faced marginalization in Kenya as a minority group. Although it is the second largest tribe in Uganda, the Teso community that lives along the Kenya-Uganda border was separated from the larger tribe during the historic scramble and partition of Africa in the 19th century and faces many challenges.
Pastor Vincent has been aware of the struggles and religious syncretism in this community and formed a team in 2019 after his Haggai Leader Experience (HLE) to start praying for this unreached people group. He remembers, “The HLE ignited my heart to pray for souls, to evangelize the lost, and to teach others to do the same. The teachings of the Gospel Mandate transformed my life forever. I believe now that it is my duty to use every means possible to end Gospel poverty.”
His unwavering commitment to the Teso people has led to the planting of 15 churches in the Siaya and Busia counties in the last 2 years. It has also resulted in economic empowerment as farmers are being taught how to plant avocado trees for exporting the fruit. Pastor Vincent believes that the farming industry will employ many people, thus restoring families and lifting them out of poverty.
Pastor Vincent is also a firm believer that prayer plays a key role in sharing the Gospel. His national prayer initiative has been praying for specific people groups to be reached by the Good News and they have seen the results of their prayers by the workers God is sending to the harvest. He is also partnering with other organizations to bring theological training to church leaders in rural villages, and through this many are being reached by the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Would you consider praying with Pastor Vincent for the restoration of all things in Kenya?
Written by Carolyn Grant
From Superstition to Belief
The church service came to an end and Pastor Vincent whispered a quiet prayer under his breath. With many new members from the Teso tribe in his congregation, he prays that they would come to rely on the one true God and not combine their Christianity with the indigenous beliefs and witchcraft he has witnessed in this region of Kenya.
Some Teso beliefs are superstitious, like placing a black clay pot facing downwards in the middle of a groundnut field to block the eyes of a witch from destroying the groundnuts. Other beliefs are known to limit agricultural production, for example, by believing that if millet is planted for two consecutive seasons, the farmer will bring death to the homestead.
Many of these beliefs and practices have meant that the Teso tribe has faced marginalization in Kenya as a minority group. Although it is the second largest tribe in Uganda, the Teso community that lives along the Kenya-Uganda border was separated from the larger tribe during the historic scramble and partition of Africa in the 19th century and faces many challenges.
Pastor Vincent has been aware of the struggles and religious syncretism in this community and formed a team in 2019 after his Haggai Leader Experience (HLE) to start praying for this unreached people group. He remembers, “The HLE ignited my heart to pray for souls, to evangelize the lost, and to teach others to do the same. The teachings of the Gospel Mandate transformed my life forever. I believe now that it is my duty to use every means possible to end Gospel poverty.”
His unwavering commitment to the Teso people has led to the planting of 15 churches in the Siaya and Busia counties in the last 2 years. It has also resulted in economic empowerment as farmers are being taught how to plant avocado trees for exporting the fruit. Pastor Vincent believes that the farming industry will employ many people, thus restoring families and lifting them out of poverty.
Pastor Vincent is also a firm believer that prayer plays a key role in sharing the Gospel. His national prayer initiative has been praying for specific people groups to be reached by the Good News and they have seen the results of their prayers by the workers God is sending to the harvest. He is also partnering with other organizations to bring theological training to church leaders in rural villages, and through this many are being reached by the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Would you consider praying with Pastor Vincent for the restoration of all things in Kenya?
Written by Carolyn Grant
