A Strategy for Poverty Reduction Among Seventh-day Adventist Members in Kenya

Abstract

Problem. Poverty is a challenge in Kenya today and is significantly impacting the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This problem is reflected in recent tithe and offering reports that suggest that the majority of the Seventh-day Adventist members and new converts in Kenya do not have a regular source of income. Hence, there is a need for local congregations to address this problem of poverty. Method. In this study current literature dealing with poverty has been reviewed and analyzed. This includes books, journal articles, programs, reports, and internet materials. The available data from the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist church is used. Additionally, other poverty surveys done by the Kenya government and other nongovernmental organizations are utilized. From this analysis, recommendations will be made for seminars that will be conducted for pastors and lay leaders. This will include designed programs for the poor combined with a strategy for poverty reduction that can be used for the SDA church in Kenya. Expectations. This project will challenge the minds of the poor and liberate them to participate in the elimination of poverty. It will help in the development of a program that can be used by pastors and lay leaders to conduct seminars on poverty reduction within the Adventist churches in Kenya. The project will also provide a long-term strategy on poverty reduction among Church members which is in harmony with the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy principles. It will also help the local Adventist churches to realize their mission, through the tool of poverty reduction. Conclusion. The created strategy is made in the context of Christian growth; there is a way for poverty reduction that enhances wealth creation in the churches of third world countries. At this particular time there is an urgent call to the SDA church, especially in the developing countries, to be self-reliant, self-supporting, and rely less on the appropriations from the world church. The way the church can respond to this call is by empowering its members to create income-generating projects in Kenya.