wfn.org | Kenya: Baptism of 1,787 Crowns Evangelism in Nairobi

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

October 1, 1999
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Kenya: Baptism of 1,787 Crowns Family Life Seminars' 
Evangelism in Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya. (ANN/APD)  Seventh-day Adventists in 
Nairobi, Kenya, are celebrating. A total of 1,787 people were 
baptised and over 2,000 families renewed their wedding vows 
August 28, at the conclusion of the Family Life Crusade in 
Nairobi, Kenya. 

The baptism brought to a conclusion the second stage of 
outreach activities in 40 centres in the capital of Kenya.  It 
took place at the Moi International Sports Ground and was the 
crowning celebration of the Family Life Seminar evangelistic 
outreach held by Pastor Jose Campos and Mrs. Adly Campos.  

The Nairobi outreach was sponsored by the Adventist Church's 
publishing department, which this year is celebrating 150 
years of Adventist publishing ministry. Jose Campos is 
associate publishing director at the Seventh-day Adventist 
Church World Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.  A 
native of Mexico, Mrs. Adly Campos is a well known Adventist 
evangelist. Her Nairobi outreach was sponsored by the 
Ministerial Association of the Church. Since her arrival in 
Nairobi on July 31, Mrs. Campos preached to packed 
audiences every night. 

"We presented the gospel message in the context of family 
life," she said.  "The Bible truth can only enrich our home life. 
We saw families, spouses and children dedicating themselves 
to quality of life. Hundreds, even thousands pledged to lead 
better lives in Kenya." 

Speaking from her home after arrival from Kenya, Mrs. 
Campos paid tribute to several Kenyan pastors and 
evangelists whose leadership and preaching were prominent 
in the evangelistic events throughout the city. 

"We only praise God for what was accomplished in Nairobi. 
And there is more to come," she added.

According to Samuel Misiani, director of Adventist World 
Radio-Africa, after Mrs. Campos preached "some 680 new 
people responded and indicated that they too would wish to 
be baptised." The local evangelistic team is planning a series 
of baptisms in September and October. 

The Nairobi evangelism also brought together lay evangelists 
from local congregations to observe and participate in the 
training events. The Family Life Seminars dealt with such 
topics as the role of women in society, quality of marriage, 
family violence, child abuse, discipline and what constitutes 
being a role model. 
	
According to Jose Campos, the outreach involved literature 
evangelists who distributed thousands of copies of Adventist 
publications throughout Nairobi. Commenting on the Nairobi 
outreach, Ron Appenzeller, publishing director at the Adventist 
World Church Headquarters, said that "this was a clear 
evidence that successful evangelism means partnership. It's 
the persuasion of the spoken word, and the convincing 
presentation of the written word supplies lasting results. We 
praise the Lord for His leading in Nairobi."

Misiani reported that the stadium event and the baptism 
ceremony was given nation-wide coverage by three different 
TV stations. The evangelistic team was also received by the 
President of Kenya, Daniel T. Arap Moi. The President was 
invited to participate in what is termed as the "grand finale" of 
the public evangelistic series planned for November 27. 
[Editors: Ray Dabrowski with Samuel Misiani in Nairobi]