Enhancing ministry to senior citizens of Nairobi Pentecostal Church

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the extent to which Nairobi Pentecostal Church has put in place programmes for senior citizens and how ministry to them could be enhanced. Senior citizens constitute a fairly large and divergent age group with serious challenges and yet it seems that the church has not put much emphasis on ministry to them. Their experiences of life are a resource the church devise ways of tapping and use it to mould the youth. The data was gathered through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The study population was drawn from Christ is The Answer Ministries (CITAM) from those who are 50 years or older. The study hypothesised that if appropriate Christian education to senior citizens is given, they would gain knowledge to help them cope with the challenges they face so as to be able to play their roles in the church and society. Literature review served as a platform for evaluation by offering a framework for the study. The study adopted a cross-sectional design that combined qualitative and quantitative methods. The sampling frame was based on the church attendance register. The study population was randomly selected. The main tool of data collection was the structured questionnaire which was self-administered to the study population. In order to give a more comprehensive and objective findings, the study combined the administration of structured questionnaire with in-depth interviews and data drawn from focus group discussions. The findings revealed that the church had to a certain degree put in place Christian education programmes with one specifically targeting senior citizens although its effectiveness was found to be inadequate. Based on the findings from the study, recommendations were made to the church to put in place other programmes that are relevant to senior citizens in order to enhance ministry to them. The need for a pastor specifically in charge of this age-group whose role will be to educate them how to cope with aging, Singlehood, health, decreased incomes, dealing with grand children and sons and daughters in law came out clearly from the study. Finally, there was the issue of church leadership interacting more with senior citizens to inspire them into ministry activities and help them to develop a sense of belonging.