THE PERCEPTION OF CHRISTIANS LIVING AMONG UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS TOWARDS THE GOSPEL.

Abstract

This study explored how Christians living among unreached people groups understood the gospel in regard to their indigenous Christian lifestyles as influenced by their cultural settings, practices and traditional religious beliefs. It is based on a case study of Samburu Christians at Christ Is The Answer Ministries (CITAM), Olturot Mission Station in Marsabit County in northern Kenya whose Christianity illustrates observable cultural influence. The data was collected through one on one semi-structured interviews guided by open-ended questions. Due to the high level of illiteracy, the researcher used an interpreter to bridge the language barrier during the interviews. The findings from the study indicated that, the Samburu traditional religious concept of God has a substantial similarity with that of Christianity. Although, the Samburu traditional religion is monotheistic in nature, the Christian mystery of the Holy Trinity is well understood in the singularity of Nkai. Prayer was found to be a highly treasured practice in the Samburu community and believers. Unexpectedly, the findings showed that the Samburu Christians highly appreciated the teaching of the word of God. They attest this appreciation of the Biblical teachings to the enlightenment that has come through scriptures about God and His relationship with individuals an aspect that lacks in the Samburu traditional religion. As evidenced in their personal, church and community transformation, the findings doubtlessly indicate that the Samburu Christians view CITAM’s missionary work at Olturot as the one the true religion. Christianity has offered the COMS Christians solutions to their spiritual, physical and social needs on the basis of acknowledgement of sinfulness, repentance, forgiveness and commitment to personal relationship and walk with God through Christ in a contextualized manner that challenges syncretism.