I was raised in a strong Christian family. My parents were devoted members of the East African Revival Fellowship. This ecumenical revival movement emerged in Kenya during the 1930s. It introduced a new faith ethos after missionaries had established the mainland churches. The movement emphasizes faith in Jesus Christ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Fellowship meetings are held in the afternoons after denominational worship services. This Christian space is unique because it transcends social, political, economic, and denominational differences. Church dogmas are set aside in favor of unity, with faith in Jesus Christ as the common denominator.
As a teenager, I often attended these fellowship meetings with my parents. Two experiences in particular stood out to me. First, the language of communication was Swahili, the national language of Kenya, which was different from my local church where we spoke Kikuyu. With members from diverse ethnic backgrounds, Swahili served as the bridge between Kenya’s forty-two tribes, uniting us all, no matter their background. I found it remarkable that everyone, no matter their background, used Swahili to communicate. Second, both men and women were given equal platforms to preach and lead. Here, I witnessed a true Christian spirit of love. Differences in creed, gender, and ethnicity were celebrated and used to complement one another, not to compete.
In the early stages of my faith, the East African Revival Fellowship taught me the importance of openness and embracing people of different faiths and backgrounds. These values resonate with the Apostle Paul’s words in Galatians 3:27-28
So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew
nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
While I haven’t yet fully attained the Christian virtues I witnessed in the East African Revival Fellowship, I strive to grow and inculcate them in my faith. One key virtue I aim to uphold is respect for meaningful differences. Respect fosters harmony, reduces unnecessary conflict, and allows people to freely express their beliefs and worldviews without fear. It creates a non-judgmental presence, a tool I carry with me when caring for patients, interacting with their families, and working with staff. Though I don’t set aside my theological background when visiting patients, I am mindful that my personal beliefs may not always be helpful. In fact, at times, they may hinder my engagement with people of different faith traditions. God’s grace teaches me to be patient, to listen more, and to speak less. Ultimately, the patient is suffering, whether they are Christian or not, and empathy, not theological debate, is often what they need most in that moment.
At some point, our human needs transcend our social, political, and religious affiliations. While we can choose to belong to a church or political party, our choices become limited when we are frail. Respect also comes with recognizing boundaries and allowing others personal space. My ecumenical upbringing has sensitized me tor respect the rights of other people. It is easy to assume everyone shares the same beliefs until you engage with individuals of different backgrounds. Boundaries help me understand where I end and where the other person begins. They are like speed limits, moderating our actions. Observing them brings contentment and fosters self-awareness, helping us recognize our gifts and talents within a diverse community. The East African Revival Fellowship also instilled the importance of humility, particularly the kind that embraces diversity. Humility keeps me willing to learn.
On December 23, 1991, I was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa. Earlier this year, I resigned from my pastoral duties at Pendo Presbyterian Church. My wife, Carol, and I now attend Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, where she is a member. We eagerly look forward to Sunday services for spiritual nourishment and the diversity of the congregation. Afterward, we often participate in activities organized by the Kenyan community in St. Louis. We benefit immensely from the diverse cultures and perspectives we encounter.
Diversity facilitates a dynamic learning environment, enhancing creativity, innovation, participation, and collaboration. It fosters inclusivity, allowing people to celebrate their efforts together. The dynamics of authority are changing though. Enhancing relationships is paramount to building communities, in which individual wisdom and knowledge are recognized. Diversity provides a platform through which we can honestly express our dreams, hopes, and passions without fear or self-doubt. Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12:15-20 capture this idea beautifully:
Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
The art of listening is crucial for diversity to thrive. A listening ear seeks to understand the other person’s perspective. In African culture, there is a proverb that says, “The one who does not travel thinks only their mother knows how to cook.” Diversity gives us the opportunity to listen attentively and broaden our understanding of the world around us.
I sense that we are entering, or perhaps have already entered, a time when we must embrace the ethos of Generation Z. This generation is less concerned with religious, racial, or political identities and is more focused on addressing human needs. I believe love will outlast all other differences. As the world grows smaller and more interconnected, multicultural ministries may become increasingly appealing to younger generations. Is this not what we ultimately anticipate? A great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne of the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands—the beautiful image described in Revelation 7:9-14.( NIV)
Indeed, “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV).
Rev. Dr. Isaac Wanyioke
Chaplain at Barnes-Jewish Hospital
