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Phil Johnsey’s ministry began with his goal to plant 500 Africa-based churches in fifteen years. His hope was to network churches of all denominations and have them come together to provide resources and bring the gospel to Africa through church plants. But why Africa? East Africa’s growing prevalence of Islam and the occult has given rise to a spiritual darkness in this land. Where there is darkness, God’s people must bring light.
“The unfolding of your words gives light: it imparts understanding to the simple.” – Psalms 119:130
There are hundreds of tribes in Africa, each with its own culture, belief system, and language. Tribes are commonplace in Africa and often define family, tradition, language, and dialect. Although some tribes share similarities, they each stand independent of the other. Below we have shared some brief information about the tribes our teams interact with on our trips.
- The Lujah tribe is located on the Uganda-Kenya border. Many of our translators and pastors originate from this tribe. The Lujah are traditionally known for worshipping Mt. Elgon, participating in cult worship, and living in reverence to the tribal witch doctors.
- The Suba tribe is located on multiple islands found in Lake Victoria. This tribe is known for its worship of nature. An unfortunate 67% of the population of the Suba tribe is HIV positive; we have had medical clinics here in the past.
- The leader of the Legions de Maria cult from the Luo Tribe claimed to be the black son of God. Many of our pastors and translators are also from the Luo tribe. This tribe can be found in western and southwestern Kenya.
- The Kamba tribe is found in eastern Kenya, between Nairobi and Mombasa. This area has been in a drought for the past 15 years. Muslims continue to provide food and resources to persuade the Kamba people to join Islam.
- The Kipsigis tribe can be found in the highlands, where the tea fields are. They are known for their worship of nature, the giver of water and grass for their cows.
- The Kuria tribe is found on the border of Tanzania and Kenya. They are one of the more recent tribes CMN has worked with. They have witch doctors in the area that carry influence over the tribe. The Kuria people have many disturbing traditions, one of which is performing female circumcision at the age of 10. We are seeing this tradition fade, but we are praying that God rids the Kuria people of this tradition completely.
- The Massai tribe is a semi-nomadic tribe rich in culture, tradition, and community. The Massai are found in southwestern Kenya as well as northern Tanzania. God provided the resources to send two medical clinics into Massai land.
Why travel halfway around the world, load into wooden boats, and camp in the African wilderness to reach the people of the Suba Islands? Why spend ten years in constant prayer, hoping that we would someday be able to share Christ with the Massai tribe? Because God has called us to go. Where He leads, we will follow.
“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalms 96:3
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