Theses and Dissertations
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Item A study on Conversion from Islam to Christianity among the Borana Women in Nairobi, Kenya with Implications for Christian Witness.(2014-05-23) Murumba, Pauline CheropThe Borana MBB women are converts from Islam to Christianity. The Borana in Nairobi originated from Isiolo, Moyale and Marsabit. Some of them have lived in Nairobi all their lives though their parents migrated from the rural area. The Borana are part of the wider Oromo people group. The dominant religion among the Borana is Islam but there are also minority Christians among them. This study is an attempt to understand the conversion process of the Borana MBB women living in Nairobi. It applies Rambo's model of understanding conversion with regard to the experiences of these women. The changes resulting from the conversion are also examined. This study employs the ethnographic research method to gain insight into the experiences of the Borana MBB women. Being a phenomenon that touches human behavior, the research has preferred this anthropological research method in order to establish what cannot be studied scientifically. For better understanding of this complex phenomenon, the study has used Kraft's worldview theory of relationships as the running theme together with Love's concepts of 'encounters'. Through the findings of this study, it has been established that the Borana MBB women mostly came to Christ after they faced some form of crisis in their lives at the personal, social and the supematurallevels. The agent who left the greatest impact in the life of the informant is the one who came into their life at the point of crisis. Power encounter greatly contributed to conversion through healing and deliverance from evil spirits. Upon conversion, the convert came not only to Christ but also to the body of Christ, the church. This called for a smooth transition that could reduce 'culture shock' to the new convert as was often experienced. Recommendations are made out of the findings with proposals that can be applied in ministry to the Borana Muslim women in particular and Muslims in general. There is need for better understanding of the specific needs of Muslim women in order to reach them better with the gospel of Christ. The MBB should be empowered to become an agent of the gospel of Christ in his family and community at large. This will only happen if she has proper follow up and sound discipleship that can strengthen the new convert.Item Factors Affecting the Response of Christian Students towards HIV/AIDS Edpidemic in selected Kenyan Public Universities(2014-05-19) Olumbe, Roseline ShimuliThis study involved an investigation of the factors affecting the response of Christian students towards HIV/AIDS in selected Kenyan public universities. HIV/AIDS is a national disaster in Kenya. with 240.000 Kenyans dying every ye:n and over 2 million infected. This research was an attempt to find out whether the students' response was affected by gender. location of the Christian Union (CU). level of factual information, involvement in HIV/AIDS activities, and interaction with people living with I-IIV/AIDS (PLWI-IAs). The researcher developed a written questionnaire to answer the research questions and null hypotheses which had been formulated. The research population was composed of Christian students who were Christian Union members from four selected university campuses. The questionnaires were administered directly to the sampled students and the resultant data analvscd. The study revealed that the students are generally positively inclined towards IIIV/AIDS issues. They viewed HIV/AIDS as a critical issue in Kenya. It was observed that there was no significant difference between male and female students in their response towards I-IIVIAIDS. The research further showed that the locality of the CU affected the Christian students' response towards HlV/AIDS. That is. students from urban CUs exhibited a higher IIIV/AIDS knowledge level compared to those from periurban CUs. The research assumed that students with high level of factual knowledge about HIV/AIDS would be more involved in HIV/AIDS activities and would interact more with PLWHAs. However, the findings revealed that the level of factual information did not affect the students' involvement in HIV/AIDS activities and interaction with PLWHAs. It was also established that Christian students who had been involved in AIDS awareness activities had a better response towards HIV/AIDS compared to those who had not. Lastly, the research did not show interaction with PLWI-IAs as a significant (actor in the students' response towards HIV/AIDS. In other words, there was no significant difference between Christian students who had interacted with PLWI-IAs and those who had not. in their response towards HIV/AIDS. The study also explored ways in which the response of Christian students towards HIVI AIDS could be improved. Some of the key suggestions were: public talks on III HVIAIDS. use of mass-media. incorporating HIVI AIDS into the education curriculum, HI V/AIDS seminars and workshops. video shows and films about AIDS. the need to 100·e.encourage and give hope to PLWI-IAs, and avoiding stigmatizing PLWHAs. The suggestions were very insightful and ought to form a basis for serious consideration by anyone wishing to be involved in HIV/AIDS education among the students.Item Widows :potential Christian educators in the educational(2014-05-07) Muhia, Margaret Wanjiku NThis Study is a report of an attempt to find out the Nairobi Baptist Church's understanding of the role of widows in her educational ministries, especially how they are nurtured and deployed. This purpose was achieved through a detailed review of related literature focusing on both Biblical and African perspectives and also the role of the church and Christian educational ministries. Data was collected through the use of a self-administered questionnaire which had both open-ended and closed-ended questions. It was administered to twenty-nine leaders of the NBC who included Pastors, Elders, Board directors, and ministry leaders. An interview guide was also used. It was administered to twenty-three widows of the NBC. The researcher identified widows with the help of the Church office, pastors, women's ministry leader and the social worker. Collected data was analyzed and interpreted. Findings revealed that widows had a role in the educational ministries of the church. However, there was a need for an appraisal of the widows in order to find out how they could impact the church. Findings further revealed that widows received care and nurture through the Special Singles fellowship, Care groups and Area Pastoral Units. Effective ministry to the widows could be strengthened if NBC could employ a pastor for adults. Widowhood had a strong impact on widows and affected how they viewed themselves as women. Most testified to feeling isolated and lonely. This could change if the church was sensitized on their needs, hopes, and aspirations.Item A study of Eastleigh Fellowship Center's Muslim-youth Ministry methods from a Christian Cross-cultural Perspective(2014-04-25) Kamau, WairimuEastleigh 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.Item The perception of middle aged Christian husbands on the effectiveness of the Christian husbands' fellowship at Bomani Africa Inland Church, Machakos(2014-04-17) Magwesela, Mussa MasanjaThe purpose of this research was to explore the perception of the middle aged Christian husbands (between the age of 35 to 55) on the effectiveness of the Christian Husbands' Fellowship (Ushirika wa Wanaume Wakristo) at African Inland church, Bomani, Machakos in providing their spiritual nurture. ; The data were collected through six interviews through which the researcher himself was the primary instrument. I prepared semi-structured interview questions (Appendix B & C). I interviewed six husbands whose church membership at AIC Bomani was more than five years. I finally analyzed the data I collected. Middle aged Christian husbands at AIC Bomani expressed their desire to know God, to know God's Word, to serve God, to worship God, to grow in their Christian faith, to care for their young families and to obey God. The Christian Husbands' Fellowship at AIC Bomani was expected to reach all husbands who were members of the local church and provide them with their spiritual nurture. However, a few husbands had turned up to join the Fellowship since it was formed seven years ago. The researcher discovered that CHF is effective to some degree and not effective to some degree in providing spiritual nurture to middle aged Christian husbands at AIC Bomani. Christian Husbands' Fellowship, according to the findings of the study seemed to include some middle-aged husbands in the church and exclude others in providing spiritual nurture. The prominent element that seemed to divide the efficiency of CHF was singing. The middle aged husbands at AIC Bomani who are not members of CHF perceived singing to be the significant programmatic element that 'defined' the group. At the same time middle aged husbands whose membership in CHF is active seemed to be comfortable with singing. Emphasis on singing, therefore, seemed to be an element that needs to be balanced in the whole program. God expects Christian husbands to be provided with spiritual nurture. He inspired several people to write the Scripture so that men could be taught. Men, especially husbands, are responsible members of their community. They are husbands, fathers, and religious or political leaders in their community. The significant role they play in society requires Christian teaching to enable them live and serve in the manner worthy of their calling. CHF in its endeavor of providing spiritual nurture to middle aged Christian husbands is challenged to develop a comprehensive program that would encompass various programmatic elements to be able to provide the spiritual nurture of middle aged Christian husbands at AIC Bomani.Item Adolescent spirituality : age of conversion and spiritual development in selected Christian universities in Kenya and its implications for youth ministry(2014-04-16) Nzigo, OnesiphoreThis study was a replication of Lamport's study. Its purpose was to find out similarities or differences to Lamport's study to justify more confidence in the validity of research findings and determine the degree to which findings apply to other populations when different subjects at a different time and in a different setting are used. The Master of Arts students at Daystar University responded to the questionnaire related to the age of conversion, and the undergraduate students at Africa Nazarene University responded to the questionnaire related to the spiritual development facet. Based on the research questions, this study dealt with the age of conversion, the extent to which males and females differ in age of conversion, the most common contributing factors in becoming a Christian, the major influencing factors for spiritual growth in adolescents, the extent to which adolescents differ in spiritual growth when raised in homes where Christian influence is strong, medium, little, or non-existent. Findings of this study showed that adolescence is the prime age of conversion and that males become Christians earlier than females. However, there was no significant difference for males and females in factors influencing spiritual growth. Home, parents, school, the reading of the Bible and other Christian materials, music and Bible studies were found to be the most influencing factors for conversion and spiritual development.Item Factors that influence the attitudes of Adolescents towards Christian Religious Education in Nairobi Secondary Schools(2014-04-14)This study evaluates the Junior Church programme at the Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC). Its focus is on the programme’s aims and objectives, learning activities, ! programme planning and implementation, personnel and facilities. Data collection involved an oral interview with the Junior Church head of department, a written questionnaire filled by 15 teachers or 50% of the Junior Church teachers, the researcher's classroom observations and the written records of the Junior Church programme. Important features of this study are the recommendations it offers to improve the Nairobi Pentecostal Junior Church programme based on a review of the available literature on Junior Church programmes, and the knowledge it adds in the field of Christian Education.Item The Pastor's contribution to the Christian Spiritual growth and development of pupils at Nairobi Pentecostal Church Academy, Woodley(2014-04-14) Baraza, Phidel AdahThis study sought to describe the pastors' contribution in the spiritual development of primary school learners by exploring the role of the pastor in a selected primary school. Data were gathered through interviews with twelve members of the school under study as well as through several site observations. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory procedures outlined by Strauss and Corbin (1998). Two theories emerged from the data. The first theory was that, children's ministry relies greatly on 1) one's perception of "spirituality," and realization that children are capable of spiritual development, 2) one's consciousness of the factors that would lead to the pupils' spiritual growth, and 3) one's role in developing them spiritually. The second theory was that the pupils' level of interest in spiritual activities determined positive or negative responses to the pastor's interventions. The study ascertained that the school is a major contributing factor in the spiritual development and growth of pupils, and pastors playa major role in setting the tempo for pupils' spiritual development and growth. Hence, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, instruction in the Word of God, worship of God, fellowship with one another, and service to the community and the entire society are significant components that need to be integrated together for a balanced program for the pupils' spiritual development and growth. After the integration of the literature, the writer recommends that the NPC Academy should have full time pastors in charge of the spiritual life of children, and that the children be divided up during the attendance of the chapels to enable the pastor to minister adequately to the children, bearing in mind the unique characteristics of particular age groups.Item An Examination of Some of the Factors that influence Students' Perception of Relevance of the Christian Ministries Programme of the NEGST(2014-04-14) Jusu, John KpalehThis study reports an attempt to ascertain the extent to which a group of selected students in the Christian Ministries Programme of the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology perceive the courses offered to them in the programme as relevant to their needs. It was in effect an evaluative study which was done using the opinion of the students about the courses as the criteria for evaluation. The research further went ahead to determine the various factors that may have an influence on the opinion of the students on the courses in the proqramme. The data collection involved the use of a closed-ended questionnaire, part of which was developed usinq the Likert scale of summated Ratings to determine the opinion of the respondents. This instrument was administered to 18 students in the programme. Since the research also sought to ascertain factors that may influence the perception of the students, the statistical instrument used to determine these relationships as the Chi Square Test of Independence. The major focus of this research was to identify areas in the programme that may need special attention and consideration of those involved in the training of the spouses of theological students in the bid to providing a relevant programme. These areas were identified with the help of the literature reviewed and the results of the tested hypotheses. Generally, it was observed that students in the programme perceived the courses they were required to take as relevant except for a few courses.Item Factors inhibiting the development of Curriculum materials for Christian Education Ministries in the Africa Gospel Church, Kenya(2014-04-11) Koske, Stanley Kiplang'atDynamic and rapid changes in the current society call for urgent attention in the area of curriculum development in the church. Such demands require curriculum developers to study new conditions and their implications for church education. Although evangelical churches in Africa are currently involved in improving the shape of Christian education curriculum, it is being faced with a number of challenges. Africa Gospel Church (AGC) is no exception. Compelled by the inadequacy of curriculum materials for all age groups in the AGC plus the continued halting of curriculum development, the researcher embarked on this study. The study sought to investigate the factors inhibiting the development of curriculum materials for CE ministries in the AGC. The study further aimed at exploring some ways for improving the development of curriculum materials in the church. This was a descriptive study, which employed a case study research design. In the study, two crucial questions were addressed. Data was gathered from forty individuals through self-administered questionnaires. The validity of the instrument was determined by a jury test which was given to ten students from the Educational Studies Department at NEGST. Data was analyzed statistically and presented based on the research questions and hypotheses. In this procedure, six null hypotheses were tested using a Chi-square test of independence at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that six factors were perceived to be inhibiting the development of curriculum materials for CE ministries in the AGC. The factors were lack of training in curriculum, lack of funds, lack of cooperation, lack of planning, lack of curriculum evaluation and lack of emphasis on Christian education. Major recommendations were (1) AGC needs to mobilize local churches to financially contribute toward curriculum material development, (2) CE curriculum materials need to be evaluated and revised periodically and (3) church leaders at all levels of the AGC structure should trust and support (cooperate with) the curriculum committees in their endeavors to draw plans and produce relevant materials.