A Historical study of the factors that led to the Development of Jitegemea in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa

Abstract

Jitegemea appears in the logo of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa and it is the official working philosophy of the General Assembly, the highest court of the church. The study seeks to find out how the concept of Jitegemea and the historical events that facilitated its adoption in the church. This is a historical study that seeks to investigate the factors that led to the development of Jitegemea-in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. The research consults documents from the PCEA archives situated at St. Andrews Church in Nairobi, the National Library in Edinburgh and open-ended interviews with the people who were involved in the development of Jitegemea. The study covers the period between 1950 and 1975, when missionaries of the Church of Scotland were handing over leadership to the national leaders. A review of the literature gives vital information for the church prior to 1950 and the background information on the events that led to the events for the adoption of Jitegemea. It provides lessons for the Church in Africa for the success and dangers in the development of an indigenous Presbyterian church in Kenya.