A History of the Publishing Ministries in the Kenya Coast Field

Background

The Kenya Coast Field, which covers the territorial area of the Kenya’s coast, was founded in 1933 by William C. S. Raitt.¹ It was organized into a Mission Field in January 1983 under the leadership the late Pastor Reuben Kamundi, who was serving as the first executive director, and Elder Harrison Safari Kitsao, who was serving as the executive secretary and treasurer. Pastor Harris Solomon Kasha was in charge of the Publishing Ministries department and other departments.’ Before it became a Mission Field, the coastal region was under the Central Kenya Conference. It was organized into the Kenya Coast Field in 1986 under Pastor Kamundi.² By this time, there were some 28 churches and 2,128 members.³

Growth of the Literature Ministry in the KCF

By 1986, there were a few literature evangelists in the coastal region who had a passion to spread the message in the printed pages. These few literature evangelists, with their new publishing director, went around coastal region promoting and holding publishing rallies in order to increase the number of literature evangelists. After three years, the number of literature evangelists increased, and several book depositories were opened.⁴

Publishing Goals and Missionary Work in the New Field

In 1986, the status changed from Kenya Coast Mission to Kenya Coast Field under the leadership of the late Pastor Reuben Kamundi, Mr. Harrison Safari Kitsao (former executive secretary treasurer), and Pastor Harris Solomon Kasha, who continued to serve as the Publishing director. The work of the mission was growing very fast. The Sales goal for 1987 for the newly-formed Kenya Coast Field was set by the East African Union Publishing Ministries department at KSh 550,000.00 (equivalent then to $32,352 with a 2023 purchasing power of $87,654.84).⁵

During this time, a good number of literature evangelists passed their goals for licensing and credentialing. In 1987, KCF recruited many young people to serve as Literature Evangelists under the leadership of our Publishing Director/Pastor Harris Solomon. All who passed their goals for credential and license were chosen to attend the institute at Egerton University in Central Kenya. This is the year when the East African Division (EAD) Publishing Director Pastor Leonard Masuku⁶ came with an idea of establishing our own Literature Ministry Seminary (LMS) in Nairobi. The idea was embraced by all literature evangelists from Kenya. They then decided to contribute five percent from their sales commission towards the project. Consequently, the seminary building was put up. The seminary has continued to train new literature evangelists every year.

Contribution to Mission work

Literature evangelism is an essential part of the Adventist work in Kenya Coast Field. Literature evangelists do not only spread Adventist literature but also conduct evangelistic meetings. In 1996, a gospel campaign was conducted at Mtito Andei where more than 20 individuals accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. In 2013, literature evangelists conducted a gospel campaign in Mombasa South Coast leading to the organization of a new church in that location. Every year, literature evangelists conduct at least one evangelistic campaign.⁷

Publishing Directors

Harris Solomon (1983-1992); Hughes Simwa (1993-1994); Joseph Kariuki (1995-1998); Harris Solomon (1999-2001); James Githui (2002-2003); Paul Mnene (2004-2005); Stephen Kombe (2005-2010); Paul Mnene (2010-2015); Joseph Kariuki Mwangi (2015- )

Sources

Dick, D. E. “With Our East Africa Mission.” The Advent Survey, December 1, 1935.

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association. Various years. https://www.adventistyearbook.org/.

Notes

1. D. E. Dick, “With Our East Africa Mission,” The Advent Survey, December 1, 1935, 8.↩

2. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1987), 65.↩

3. Ibid.↩

4. Personal knowledge of the author.↩

5. https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1987?amount=32352, accessed October 20, 2023.↩

6. Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (1988), 16.↩

7. Personal knowledge of the author as publishing director.↩