About The Ministry

First 20 Years
(1983-2003)

August 20, 1983
It was on this date that the missionary couple, David and Elwanda, arrived in the small town of Karatina, Kenya. Their move marked the quiet beginning of a great spiritual journey. Shortly after settling, they came into contact with a local family—an encounter that would shape the foundation of a growing fellowship. Among those drawn to the message was Regina, stirred by the gospel hymns sung each Sunday. She would later become the first convert, her life a testimony to the power of the Word in this new mission field. Following Regina came Paul and Evah, a couple who worked and lived nearby—Paul serving as a telephone operator at a government hospital. Along with their two children, they too encountered the gospel through the missionaries’ witness and the blossoming fellowship of believers.

December 12, 1983
A day of double celebration: David and Elwanda’s 35th wedding anniversary, and the day Paul and Evah invited them into their home. There, amidst warmth and hospitality, the family surrendered their lives to Christ. The circle of faith was widening. As word spread and souls responded, it soon became clear that the missionary's living room could no longer accommodate the growing congregation. In response, a structure made of iron sheets was erected, serving as the humble sanctuary for weekly worship.

1985
With the introduction of Sunday School classes, space again became insufficient. A second room was added to support this next stage of growth. Despite many trials, the work persisted—guided by David’s steadfast philosophy: “Stay low. Go slow. Don’t blow.” 1987
A pivotal year. The fellowship had grown in size and diversity. A church property was secured, and with prayer and sacrifice, plans for a permanent building began—dependent on the availability of funds. New faces from various language groups were now regularly part of the church family.

May 1990
David and Elwanda volunteered to help their missionary friends, Neil and Jeannie Whitwam, by teaching at a Bible college in Mombasa. Among their students were Brother Danny and Joyce, and Brother Maina and Rebecca, both from Karatina. Ordinations and Expansion
• Pastor Harrison K. Wabiru was ordained.
• In 1994, during the dedication of Antioch Independent Baptist Church, Pastor Danny Nganyi was also ordained.
As the ministry flourished, the Lord moved half of the adult members to establish a new church in Karogoto, a more rural region where many congregants resided. Pastor Harrison and Sister Judy, obedient to the Lord’s leading, became the foundation of the Karogoto work.
Through changing seasons, David and Elwanda leaned on Scripture:
• Dave’s life verses: Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 8:28-29
• Elwanda’s life verses: II Corinthians 5:15 and 2 Timothy 2:15

Since December 1999
Steve, the missionaries’ son and a member of East Ellijay Baptist Church, began making annual visits to Kenya. Through his church and supporting friends, he contributed to youth and children's camps, pastor seminars, and ministry to police officers, further strengthening the spiritual fabric of the region.

September 2002 A generous gift from Steve resulted in the purchase of land for the Karogoto church. Soon after, funds arrived to build a wall around the property—securing a future home for the growing rural congregation.

Second 20 Years
(2004-2023)

May 2005

By this time, the vision that began in a missionary’s living room had spread across regions, generations, and languages—anchored by faith, grown through love, and sustained by a calling. The seeds planted in the first two decades blossom into a multi-site network of fellowships, with newer churches emerging in neighboring towns and rural centers.

Steve’s Ongoing Involvement: Through yearly mission trips and sustained financial support, Steve helps bridge international support with local ministry, especially among youth and rural families.

Generational Inclusion:
Young leaders from early Sunday school classes begin to serve as pastors, evangelists, and community mobilizers, embodying the mission’s vision.

Cultural and Social Impact
Rural Church Integration: Churches extend their influence beyond Sunday worship by addressing local needs—offering literacy programs, marital counseling, and youth mentoring.
Justice and Compassion Work:
Churches advocate for dignity and justice, supporting widows, orphans, and the unemployed with practical assistance and biblical encouragement.
. Adaptation and Resilience
Responding to Change:
The church adjusts to political unrest, urban migration, and rising youth disengagement by investing in digital outreach and community-based leadership.

Cultural Contextualization: Worship services become more expressive, blending traditional music with modern instruments while retaining the message of the cross. Evolving Vision and Forward Trajectory
Sustainability & Succession: With David and Elwanda aging, intentional mentorship ensures that local leaders carry the vision forward with cultural insight and biblical fidelity. Women in Leadership: As more women take on roles in teaching and administration, the mission reflects a broader embrace of the gifts within the whole body of Christ. Future Possibilities (2024 onward): Establishment of a training institute for East African missionaries. Development of mobile ministry teams for unreached areas. Deeper integration of digital tools for teaching, giving, and discipleship.

Recent Years

In the past decade, the church has grown significantly, reaching thousands of congregants. Major milestones include the construction of a modern worship center, the introduction of online services, and impactful community development projects like childen home, and Theology training centers.From a small beginning in 1983 with one convert and a handful of believers, the mission has matured into a movement grounded in faith, enriched by community, and driven by the transformative love of Christ. The journey of David and Elwanda, and all who joined them, is not just a tale of church planting but a testament to quiet perseverance, intentional discipleship, and the enduring power of relational ministry.
As the baton passes to new generations, the mission’s original heartbeat—humility, scriptural depth, and community transformation—continues to echo through far and beyond