Lutheran Christians Urged to Work toward Mission-Oriented Evangelism
KISUMU - Bishop Walter E. Obare, recently installed as the new leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya (ELCK) took office with a call to the Kenyan government to fight endemic corruption in the country, saying it had become a serious menace to society.
Pointing out that general elections in the past have been marred by violence, Obare appealed for a peaceful voting process this year. On December 27, Kenyans will elect a new president, parliament, and local councils in the third multi-party general election in the country's history. At the end of 2002, the incumbent President Daniel arap Moi, head of state since 1978, concludes his second and final five-year term under the current system.
Obare urged Lutheran Christians to work toward a more mission-oriented approach to evangelism. He called for spiritual awakening which he said was the only way to combat growing secularism in the country.
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The Rev. Dr Samson Mushemba, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, conducted Obare's November 24 installation in Kenya's western town of Kisumu. The event was witnessed by among others, representatives of local and international mission partners.
Obare, 55, succeeds Bishop Francis Nyamwaro Onderi, who had led the 55,000-member church since 1995. The ELCK joined the Lutheran World Federation in 1970.
(Contributed by Rev. Erick P. Omondi, ELCK.)
By Albert H. Lee
chtoday_editor@chtoday.com
