Kenya

Who we are

SIM Kenya began in the late 1970s, when SIM workers were invited to come to Kenya to work in Wajir, Nairobi and Mombasa among the Somali people - one of the most resistant groups to the gospel and the largest tribe among Cushitic tribes in Kenya.

In Kenya, 30 per cent of people groups are considerd unreached by evangelical Christianity. We long see communities where Christ is least known being transformed by the gospel.

To this end, we continue to establish flexible, effective structures and partnerships that empower multi-ethnic, multi-skilled teams of mission workers to engage in cross-cultural ministry locally and globally.

 

Our areas of ministry

Some of the areas we are currently working in are listed below. You can explore these ministry opportunities further by clicking the 'Come' tab above.

• Theological & missional training

• Sports Friends

• Life Challenge mission to Muslim communities

• Youth Workers Toolkit

​​​​​​​

Get in touch

If you are interested in serving with SIM in Kenya, we would love to talk with you. Please use the ‘Talk to us’ button below or click here to make a web enquiry and start the conversation.

Kenya

Who we are

SIM Kenya began in the late 1970s, when SIM workers were invited to come to Kenya to work in Wajir, Nairobi and Mombasa among the Somali people - one of the most resistant groups to the gospel and the largest tribe among Cushitic tribes in Kenya.

In Kenya, 30 per cent of people groups are considerd unreached by evangelical Christianity. We long see communities where Christ is least known being transformed by the gospel.

To this end, we continue to establish flexible, effective structures and partnerships that empower multi-ethnic, multi-skilled teams of mission workers to engage in cross-cultural ministry locally and globally.

 

Our areas of ministry

Some of the areas we are currently working in are listed below. You can explore these ministry opportunities further by clicking the 'Come' tab above.

• Theological & missional training

• Sports Friends

• Life Challenge mission to Muslim communities

• Youth Workers Toolkit

​​​​​​​

Get in touch

If you are interested in serving with SIM in Kenya, we would love to talk with you. Please use the ‘Talk to us’ button below or click here to make a web enquiry and start the conversation.

Asset Publisher

Come and Serve

Ingessena and Least Reached

This ministry proceeds from our conviction that no one should live and die without having a chance to hear, understand, and believe the gospel. Our aim is to introduce people to Christ.

Youth Workers Toolkit

SIM Kenya is preparing a training book set to equip youth leaders across East Africa to reach young people more effectively.

Sports Friends Kenya

Convinced that no one should live and die without hearing God’s good news, SIM Sports Friends Kenya are making disciples through sports.

Life Challenge Mission to Muslims

Life Challenge is uniquely focused and passionately committed to motivate, train and equip the Church to present the gospel to Muslims. Do you have a vision to equip the African church to reach Muslims for Christ?

Theological and Missional Education

We serve and equip churches for mission through theological and missiological education, working to see biblically grounded, spiritually mature church leaders equipping the Body of Christ to reach and disciple those living without Him.

Children's and Youth Ministry

The population of Botswana has a large proportion of young people, and there is great opportunity to reach them through sports ministry, schools work, early childhood development centres and mental health support.

Highest Honour / S.H.I.N.E. Africa Discipleship and Counselling

'Highest Honour' and 'S.H.I.N.E. Africa' desire to fill the current gap in training and materials that can bring deep heart-transforming biblical discipleship in African shame-oriented contexts.

Theological and Medical Training

In Botswana, theological and medical training are both areas where mission workers can help to support existing structures, bringing valuable Christian understanding and knowledge.

Remote Area Dweller Ministry

The San are considered to have the oldest culture in the world. Our aim is to complete the Bible translation and oral translation of Bible stories into the San language of !Xoon.

Mobilisation and Evangelism

In order to take the message of Christ to the least-reached in Botswana and around the world, we are currently focusing on the mobilisation of local Christians for mission work, evangelism to Asian expatriate workers, and the establishment of a Christian resource centre.

Mobilisation for Christ's Global Mission

We want to mobilise more people, prayer, and funds for Christ’s global mission, especially to those who live and die without Christ in South Asia.

Radio Hope

Radio "Ondas de Esperanza" ("Radio Hope") proclaims the gospel in Ecuador through quality Christian radio programming.

Medical and Social Work

Medical work has been part of SIM ministries since the beginning. Discover more about it...

Well Drilling

Showing the way to the Living Water by drilling wells in villages.

English training

Using English training to read the Word of God.

Development and relief

Showing God's love to marginalized populations.

Community Services

Equipping the Church for community services.

Church Leadership Training

Train servant leaders who love the Lord Jesus and who are competent in various ministry skills.

International Leadership and Services

SIM International Leadership and Services facilitates SIM’s task of extending the kingdom of God by giving leadership and support, defining policy and best practices, and providing administrative services.

Ingessena and Least Reached

Este ministerio procede de nuestra convicción de que nadie debería vivir y morir sin tener una oportunidad de oír, entender, y creer en el Evangelio. Nuestra meta es presentarles a Cristo a las personas.

Youth Workers Toolkit

El SIM Kenia está preparando un conjunto de libros de entrenamiento para equipar a los líderes juveniles a través de África Oriental para alcanzar a los jóvenes más efectivamente.

Sports Friends Kenya

Convinced that no one should live and die without hearing God’s good news, SIM Sports Friends Kenya are making disciples through sports.

Life Challenge Mission to Muslims

Life Challenge is uniquely focused and passionately committed to motivate, train and equip the Church to present the gospel to Muslims. Do you have a vision to equip the African church to reach Muslims for Christ?

Theological and Missional Education

We serve and equip churches for mission through theological and missiological education, working to see biblically grounded, spiritually mature church leaders equipping the Body of Christ to reach and disciple those living without Him.

Children's and Youth Ministry

The population of Botswana has a large proportion of young people, and there is great opportunity to reach them through sports ministry, schools work, early childhood development centres and mental health support.

Highest Honour / S.H.I.N.E. Africa Discipleship and Counselling

'Highest Honour' and 'S.H.I.N.E. Africa' desire to fill the current gap in training and materials that can bring deep heart-transforming biblical discipleship in African shame-oriented contexts.

Theological and Medical Training

Nuestra meta es completar la traducción bíblica y oral de las historias bíblicas al idioma San llamado !Xoon.

Remote Area Dweller Ministry

Nuestra meta es completar la traducción bíblica y oral de las historias bíblicas al idioma San llamado !Xoon.

Mobilisation and Evangelism

In order to take the message of Christ to the least-reached in Botswana and around the world, we are currently focusing on the mobilisation of local Christians for mission work, evangelism to Asian expatriate workers, and the establishment of a Christian resource centre.

Mobilisation for Christ's Global Mission

Queremos movilizar a más personas, oración, y fondos para la misión global de Cristo, especialmente donde viven y mueren sin Cristo en el sur de Asia.

Radio Hope

Radio Ondas de Esperanza proclama el Evangelio por medio de una programación de radio cristiana.

Medical and Social Work

Medical work has been part of SIM ministries since the beginning. Discover more about it...

Well Drilling

Showing the way to the Living Water by drilling wells in villages.

English training

Using English training to read the Word of God.

Development and relief

Showing God's love to marginalized populations.

Community Services

Equipping the Church for community services.

Church Leadership Training

Train servant leaders who love the Lord Jesus and who are competent in various ministry skills.

International Leadership and Services

SIM International Leadership and Services facilitates SIM’s task of extending the kingdom of God by giving leadership and support, defining policy and best practices, and providing administrative services.

Communities where Christ is least known

Gujarati

The Gujarati people number nearly 200,000, and primarily live in Nairobi, as well as along the coast. Originally from the western state of Gujarat in India, they are stereotypically considered good at business. In Kenya, roughly half of Gujaratis are Hindu, 13 per cent are Muslim and one-third belong to other small Indian-based religions. While only 0.1 per cent of this community call themselves Christians, an even smaller (0.02 per cent) are evangelicals. The Gujaratis’ close-knit family structure make it difficult for members to accept new ideas from those outside their community.

East Pokot

Just under 800,000 Pokot live in Kenya. They are seminomadic and semi-pastoralists who herd cattle and sheep, and they live off the products of their stock. Wealth is measured by the number of cattle one possesses. They worship the god Tororot and other deities and communicate with these deities through prayers and sacrifices. The Pokot greatly fear death, as they do not believe in an afterlife. Many of their religious rituals involve warding off illnesses or affecting cures.
Some Pokot, especially West Pokot, have become Christians, but the East Pokot communities living in Baringo County are still not reached by the gospel. This is due to many barriers, such as a lack of roads, poor transportation and the harsh climate. The majority of East Pokot have not had formal education and do not speak or read Kiswahili, the national language of Kenya. Most are unable to read or write the Pokot language. Even though the Bible is translated into Pokot, it is currently inaccessible to the East Pokot.

Prayers

1

Pray for more workers to minister among communities where Jesus is least known, especially in the difficult areas of Kenya.

1

Pray for more workers to minister among communities where Jesus is least known, especially in the difficult areas of Kenya.

2

Pray for more opportunities to partner with churches in Kenya to make disciples in least-reached communities (some groups are very resistant to the gospel).

2

Pray for more opportunities to partner with churches in Kenya to make disciples in least-reached communities (some groups are very resistant to the gospel).

3

Pray for business workers to reach out to Hindus in urban places.

3

Pray for business workers to reach out to Hindus in urban places.

4

Pray for Kenyan churches to be mobilised and empowered to reach communities for Christ, both in Kenya and internationally.

4

Pray for Kenyan churches to be mobilised and empowered to reach communities for Christ, both in Kenya and internationally.

SIM Asset Publisher Portlet

Asset Publisher

Related stories

More than 800 years of combined missionary service: a SIM Kenya legacy rooted in faith

The first night of the SIM Kenya team retreat wasn't filled with the usual icebreaker questions.  There was a team trivia night. One of the questions asked, “If you add up all the years of service on our entire SIM Kenya team, how many years would that be?”

Dynamic Diana creates a very healthy space for the gospel in Nairobi

When Diana Ayabei turns up for work in the Kenyan capital Nairobi she must be ready for just about anything.

Kenya floods emergency and SIM’s response

Devastating floods have caused widespread casualties and displacement in Kenya. Since April, torrential rains have displaced hundreds of thousands of people. This nationwide emergency has caused widespread devastation, affecting homes, farms, businesses, and vital infrastructure. In the wake of this crisis, we are determined to bring hope through Christ's restorative power and healing. SIM is working alongside churches and partner groups to support families affected by this crisis.

Ministry in persecution: God’s not done

A man on a discussion panel recounted how a colleague of his in gospel ministry had been gunned down.

Peny dances in the desert

How one woman brings life through ministering the gospel to children in Kenya's desert region.

How did he make you feel?

SIM Kenya director Dr. Peter Okaalet sadly passed away last year, having made a significant impact in the field of HIV/AIDS medicine, as well as in the lives of the people around him. SIM stories writer Tohru Inoue remembers his personal experience of the man behind the medic.

Word like rain to Gabra desert-dwellers

Life is hard for displaced Gabra desert-dwellers northern Kenya. But, though the ground is dry, God promises that the water of his gospel will not fail to bring about the life of joy and peace he intends it to.

Teachers learn lesson in joy at Nairobi's Ark School

Teachers Mel and Sarah are learning a lot.

The man who won't give up

Pastor Lesantan has been defying expectations for a while now, growing crops in a land where most think it impossible. Read how, despite a recent drought, he continues to see life in the greenhouse of God’s grace.

Your distress, my miracle

This week’s earthquakes in Turkey and Syria remind us that tragedy can overcome us at any time. The story of an air disaster miraculously averted, though, helps us remember God is working all things together for good, even in the darkest moments

How beautiful are the feet...

Elijah has spent his life sharing the gospel in his community. At the age of 78, he is not slowing down. While some may spend their retirement with more leisurely activities, Elijah continues to be very present in ministry.

“Nothing I would rather do”

For Geoffrey, serving in cross-cultural mission is not limited to geography. He feels the burden to preach the good news, which is why he'll be leaving Kenya to minister in the UK.

God didn't give up on Joy

CW: child abuse. After the scars of her childhood, Joy found safety and acceptance on a football team. That's where she met Jesus: in the hands and feet of the coaches, in Scriptures tossed in conversation, in study of his Word and through church.

Pray the Lord will supply our needs

For African mission workers, support raising on the continent can be challenging, even without complications like COVID-19 and interest in international missions. Still, many are giving and going themselves knowing the obstacles.

Not ready to retire: the old mission worker in Masai lands

An old man named Elijah from Kenya’s Masai lands has been at missions work since he was about 20. Ever since then, he’s been travelling around his community telling people about his Saviour. And he's still not interested in stopping.

Joy in the face of death

SIM worker Walter serves with Life Challenge Africa in Kenya, which seeks to show Christ’s love to Muslim neighbours. He recounts his unique experience as a COVID-19 patient and the grace God provided him during suffering.

God in the everyday

Mercy Kambura, a writer for AfriGO, SIM and AIM's publication mobilising the African church for mission, finds stories in the mundane, exactly where God is working. Hear how her gift furthers the kingdom.

Disability in Kenya: Reaching out to the Hidden and Forgotten

Life is tough for families coping with disabilities in Kenya. Working with the local church, Sports Friends Kenya believes it can make a long-term transformation in their lives.

Stories that matter

Tim Coleman heard God’s voice saying “Go tell stories that matter.” That's what he seeks to do along our SIM Stories team: tell stories that transform and shift our hearts closer to the heart of God.

God intended it for good

Sometimes, just sometimes, God can bring us through severe hardship and into a great position to impact the lives of others. This first of two parts shares the story of how many families afflicted by poverty in Kibera, Kenya, are finding life-changing support from one of their own. Their own 'Joseph'.

The saving of many lives

Long term support of a vulnerable child needs to consider the whole family. In the second of two parts, we take a look at how the Drug Fighters and SIM Kenya Children at Risk teams are partnering to help both children and parents.

Visual Arts interns create for an eternal purpose

In June 2019, interns learned how to use their artistic skills in missions. Find out the unique ways visual arts can unlock opportunities to share Christ's love.

Bottomline Books supports missions and discipleship

When the pandemic closed down Kenya, 40 per cent of financial support trickled away for mission workers Tony and Julia. Needing a fast solution, they revived an abandoned book-selling idea from years earlier.

Getting the right exposure

Adrian is a photographer with SIM Stories East Africa. And he wants you to see what he sees. He wants you to see the handiwork of God reflected in people.

God is listening

Listening is a major part of trauma healing ministry for Beatrice. Read about how God moves when his people listen.

COVID-19: SIM Kenya helping the church

The SIM Kenya team has led a multi-pronged response to COVID-19, a once-in-a-generation issue. They reach out through virtual trainings to not only churches, but also radio and television, health associations, the inter-religious council, and many other avenues.

God in the tree

When Moses was chasing a wayward sheep, the burning bush bathed in light caught his eye and he met God. Read Dennis' own encounter with the light of the world.

Partners in media ministry

A couple serving in Kenya helped refugee churches produce more than 100 sermons in five different languages.

Dickens is spared for a purpose in Kenya

As his home life turned sour, Dickens decided that the streets were a better option for him. In just eight months, his environment turned him from a soft-spoken boy to a hardened thief.

Bringing art and beauty to Kenyas trash heaps

What business does a group of artists have, visiting a huge rubbish dump in Nairobi, sitting in tiny shacks with the trash sorters, and bringing art materials to their kids?

Appolinarie can breathe again

The Lord healed Appolinarie from trauma during the Rwandan genocide. Now, she helps other French-speaking refugees in Nairobi.

Banda Health and Kijabe respond to COVID-19

An SIM-initiated IT project is helping small, independent medical clinics prepare to care for COVID-19 patients in city slums and rural areas of Kenya.

Related stories

More than 800 years of combined missionary service: a SIM Kenya legacy rooted in faith

The first night of the SIM Kenya team retreat wasn't filled with the usual icebreaker questions.  There was a team trivia night. One of the questions asked, “If you add up all the years of service on our entire SIM Kenya team, how many years would that be?”

Dynamic Diana creates a very healthy space for the gospel in Nairobi

When Diana Ayabei turns up for work in the Kenyan capital Nairobi she must be ready for just about anything.

Kenya floods emergency and SIM’s response

Devastating floods have caused widespread casualties and displacement in Kenya. Since April, torrential rains have displaced hundreds of thousands of people. This nationwide emergency has caused widespread devastation, affecting homes, farms, businesses, and vital infrastructure. In the wake of this crisis, we are determined to bring hope through Christ's restorative power and healing. SIM is working alongside churches and partner groups to support families affected by this crisis.

Ministry in persecution: God’s not done

A man on a discussion panel recounted how a colleague of his in gospel ministry had been gunned down.

Peny dances in the desert

How one woman brings life through ministering the gospel to children in Kenya's desert region.

How did he make you feel?

SIM Kenya director Dr. Peter Okaalet sadly passed away last year, having made a significant impact in the field of HIV/AIDS medicine, as well as in the lives of the people around him. SIM stories writer Tohru Inoue remembers his personal experience of the man behind the medic.

Word like rain to Gabra desert-dwellers

Life is hard for displaced Gabra desert-dwellers northern Kenya. But, though the ground is dry, God promises that the water of his gospel will not fail to bring about the life of joy and peace he intends it to.

Teachers learn lesson in joy at Nairobi's Ark School

Teachers Mel and Sarah are learning a lot.

The man who won't give up

Pastor Lesantan has been defying expectations for a while now, growing crops in a land where most think it impossible. Read how, despite a recent drought, he continues to see life in the greenhouse of God’s grace.

Your distress, my miracle

This week’s earthquakes in Turkey and Syria remind us that tragedy can overcome us at any time. The story of an air disaster miraculously averted, though, helps us remember God is working all things together for good, even in the darkest moments

How beautiful are the feet...

Elijah has spent his life sharing the gospel in his community. At the age of 78, he is not slowing down. While some may spend their retirement with more leisurely activities, Elijah continues to be very present in ministry.

“Nothing I would rather do”

For Geoffrey, serving in cross-cultural mission is not limited to geography. He feels the burden to preach the good news, which is why he'll be leaving Kenya to minister in the UK.

God didn't give up on Joy

CW: child abuse. After the scars of her childhood, Joy found safety and acceptance on a football team. That's where she met Jesus: in the hands and feet of the coaches, in Scriptures tossed in conversation, in study of his Word and through church.

Pray the Lord will supply our needs

For African mission workers, support raising on the continent can be challenging, even without complications like COVID-19 and interest in international missions. Still, many are giving and going themselves knowing the obstacles.

Not ready to retire: the old mission worker in Masai lands

An old man named Elijah from Kenya’s Masai lands has been at missions work since he was about 20. Ever since then, he’s been travelling around his community telling people about his Saviour. And he's still not interested in stopping.

Joy in the face of death

SIM worker Walter serves with Life Challenge Africa in Kenya, which seeks to show Christ’s love to Muslim neighbours. He recounts his unique experience as a COVID-19 patient and the grace God provided him during suffering.

God in the everyday

Mercy Kambura, a writer for AfriGO, SIM and AIM's publication mobilising the African church for mission, finds stories in the mundane, exactly where God is working. Hear how her gift furthers the kingdom.

Disability in Kenya: Reaching out to the Hidden and Forgotten

Life is tough for families coping with disabilities in Kenya. Working with the local church, Sports Friends Kenya believes it can make a long-term transformation in their lives.

Stories that matter

Tim Coleman heard God’s voice saying “Go tell stories that matter.” That's what he seeks to do along our SIM Stories team: tell stories that transform and shift our hearts closer to the heart of God.

God intended it for good

Sometimes, just sometimes, God can bring us through severe hardship and into a great position to impact the lives of others. This first of two parts shares the story of how many families afflicted by poverty in Kibera, Kenya, are finding life-changing support from one of their own. Their own 'Joseph'.

The saving of many lives

Long term support of a vulnerable child needs to consider the whole family. In the second of two parts, we take a look at how the Drug Fighters and SIM Kenya Children at Risk teams are partnering to help both children and parents.

Visual Arts interns create for an eternal purpose

In June 2019, interns learned how to use their artistic skills in missions. Find out the unique ways visual arts can unlock opportunities to share Christ's love.

Bottomline Books supports missions and discipleship

When the pandemic closed down Kenya, 40 per cent of financial support trickled away for mission workers Tony and Julia. Needing a fast solution, they revived an abandoned book-selling idea from years earlier.

Getting the right exposure

When Moses was chasing a wayward sheep, the burning bush bathed in light caught his eye and he met God. Read Dennis' own encounter with the light of the world.

God is listening

When Moses was chasing a wayward sheep, the burning bush bathed in light caught his eye and he met God. Read Dennis' own encounter with the light of the world.

COVID-19: SIM Kenya helping the church

The SIM Kenya team has led a multi-pronged response to COVID-19, a once-in-a-generation issue. They reach out through virtual trainings to not only churches, but also radio and television, health associations, the inter-religious council, and many other avenues.

God in the tree

When Moses was chasing a wayward sheep, the burning bush bathed in light caught his eye and he met God. Read Dennis' own encounter with the light of the world.

Partners in media ministry

A couple serving in Kenya helped refugee churches produce more than 100 sermons in five different languages.

Dickens is spared for a purpose in Kenya

As his home life turned sour, Dickens decided that the streets were a better option for him. In just eight months, his environment turned him from a soft-spoken boy to a hardened thief.

Bringing art and beauty to Kenyas trash heaps

What business does a group of artists have, visiting a huge rubbish dump in Nairobi, sitting in tiny shacks with the trash sorters, and bringing art materials to their kids?

Appolinarie can breathe again

The Lord healed Appolinarie from trauma during the Rwandan genocide. Now, she helps other French-speaking refugees in Nairobi.

Banda Health and Kijabe respond to COVID-19

An SIM-initiated IT project is helping small, independent medical clinics prepare to care for COVID-19 patients in city slums and rural areas of Kenya.