Isaac Aduda, founder of Mission of Hope Africa, has been working to support and grow churches near his home region in Kitale, Kenya, over the past seven years. Recently his mission’s vision to restore hope through the Great Commission and empower communities to be self-sufficient has gained the support of Bethel and Haven Christian Reformed churches in Zeeland, Mich., and Niekerk CRC in Holland, Mich. In 2021 Aduda visited each church to speak about his ministry. A total of seven congregants now serve as board members and have worked with their deacons to designate church offerings for Mission of Hope.
The organization has planted 12 Kenyan churches in the past seven years, affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church of East Africa. Aduda said the building of physical structures for the churches has been key. For church plants that don’t have permanent structures, services are often canceled due to heavy rainfall or extreme heat in the dry season. “When the church gathers together, the Holy Spirit works in powerful ways,” Aduda said, and “spiritual fruits come from hearing the Word in congregation with others.”
Mission of Hope has contributed not only building funds but leadership training, water access, sustainable income generation programs, and an anti-parasite campaign. Local church pastors are volunteers, and some of the funds raised have helped support the pastors and their families so they can continue to serve their congregations.
Aduda said a project to bring running water to an orphanage operated by Kivaa church made a big difference for the children who previously had to walk up to five miles each day to retrieve water. Because of the funds from Mission of Hope Africa these children can devote their time to study and play in a clean and safe building with running water, Aduda said.
As more churches are planted and sustainable programs continue to flourish, Mission of Hope Africa plans to extend its ministry to neighboring East African countries, including Uganda, Congo, Burundi, and Tanzania. Aduda is a current Calvin Theological Seminary student, earning a Master of Arts degree in Bible and theology.
About the Author
Sarah DeGraff is a freelance news correspondent for The Banner. She lives in Madison, Wisc., where she is studying for her Masters in Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin.
