A study of Eastleigh Fellowship Center's Muslim-youth Ministry methods from a Christian Cross-cultural Perspective

Abstract

Eastleigh Fellowship Center is a Christian social service that serves the neighborhood of Eastleigh. It has been operating for the last twenty-six years and has established itself as a unique cross-cultural ministry in Nairobi. It is a favorite recreational and instructional center for hundreds of Muslim, Ethiopian and Kenyan people who frequent its premises and is said to be known as far as the Middle East. This study sought to describe how the center used its activities as part of its Muslim youth ministry methods, what impression of Christianity that made on them and what implications for cross-cultural mission arise out of that understanding. To do that effectively in a sensitive cross-cultural setting, the researcher used library research, participant observation and ethnographic interviews for data collection purposes. The researcher concluded that the provision of social services is an important preliminary step in cross-cultural mission because it provides a natural environment for interaction. In addition, the higher the level of interaction in the provision of social services, the greater the opportunity for relationship building. Most importantly, the building of relationships based on trust is important for the creation of an environment within which meaningful cross-cultural dialogue can occur. Sports and recreation are important evangelism tools. For that reason, Christian ministries need to view sports not as time-wasting child's play but as the fertile ground for nurturing and disciplining believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Quite clearly, the center could benefit from training in crosscultural ministry skills through support by other established Muslim evangelism ministries. A number of other study topics arise out of this investigation. The Kenya Mennonite Church is in the process of taking on the full responsibility for the work of this center. They could benefit from an understanding of how an urban church can effectively reach Muslim people. Secondly, sociology of language scholars could investigate the relationship between language patterns and cultural transformation in this setting and its influence on Muslim evangelism. Another area is that of the theology of urban youth music. Young people provide a window into their world through music. This would help enhance our understanding of their worldview with a view to providing holistic and relevant ministry to this age group. Finally, the People of God office could benefit from improved use of the wide array of data available on their work if they could be equipped to employ more analytical methods of data presentation.