A New Dawn: KMC Launches North Rift Diocese in Eldoret

On Sunday, November 3, 2025, the Kenya Mennonite Church (KMC) marked a historic milestone with the official launch of its North Rift Diocese in Eldoret. Until this moment, KMC had seven dioceses spread across the country. The addition of the North Rift Diocese now makes it the eighth, expanding the church’s reach into vast areas of the Rift Valley and Western Kenya.

The new diocese will encompass congregations in Eldoret, Turkana, Mt. Elgon, Serem in Nandi, and even a church in Naivasha. This expansion signals not only geographical growth but also a deepening of KMC’s mission to bring the gospel and holistic ministry to communities that have long been on the periphery of its work.

Faithful gathered in Eldoret to witness the birth of the new diocese.

Consecration of a Shepherd

The launch climaxed with the consecration of Rev. Josphat Kimani as the first bishop of the North Rift Diocese. Rev. Kimani’s journey is itself a testimony of faith and perseverance. Until his consecration, he served as pastor of Shalom Mennonite Church in Eldoret—a congregation he helped establish six years ago alongside his colleague, William Kiptoo.

From humble beginnings, Shalom Mennonite has grown into a vibrant community of believers, and now its founding pastor steps into a larger calling: shepherding the new diocese. His consecration was met with joy, prayers, and heartfelt support from the gathered faithful.

Rev. Josphat Kimani consecrated as the first bishop of the North Rift Diocese.

A New Era for KMC

For decades, KMC’s ministry was concentrated in Nyanza and Nairobi, with only sporadic presence in other regions. The launch of the North Rift Diocese marks a turning point. According to Moderator Samson Omondi, this expansion represents “a new era for the church,” one that reflects the growth and maturity of KMC’s ministry.

The Moderator emphasized that the church’s mission is not only to plant congregations but also to nurture communities through education, peacebuilding, and social outreach. The North Rift Diocese, with its vast and diverse geography, offers fertile ground for this vision.

A Celebration of Unity

The launch service was graced by leaders from all seven dioceses, invited guests, and representatives from other churches. Their presence underscored the unity and shared vision that binds the Mennonite community together.

Messages of goodwill poured in, including one from Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai Napotikan, the Governor of Turkana County, who pledged to continue working closely with the church. The governor commended KMC’s recent relief program in Turkana, which had brought much-needed support to vulnerable families. He described the program as “impactful” and expressed hope that the new diocese would strengthen partnerships between church and government in serving communities.

                KMC leaders from across the country joined hands to celebrate the historic launch

Encouragement Amid Challenges

While the atmosphere was celebratory, leaders did not shy away from acknowledging the challenges ahead. A new diocese means new responsibilities: establishing infrastructure, acquiring land, and supporting congregations scattered across vast distances.

KMC leaders encouraged Bishop Kimani to press on with courage and faith, reminding him that every great work begins with small steps. They urged the faithful to rally behind their new bishop, offering prayers, resources, and fellowship to ensure the diocese thrives.

The words of encouragement carried echoes of the Mennonite tradition—rooted in resilience, community, and service. The challenges are real, but so is the commitment to overcome them.

Shalom Mennonite Church in Eldoret, where Bishop Kimani's pastoral journey began

Looking Ahead

The launch of the North Rift Diocese is more than an administrative milestone; it is a spiritual marker of growth and renewal. It reflects KMC’s determination to extend its ministry beyond traditional strongholds and into regions where the church’s presence can bring transformation.

For the congregations in Eldoret, Turkana, Mt. Elgon, Serem, and Naivasha, the new diocese offers a sense of belonging and recognition. For the wider church, it is a reminder that God’s mission continues to unfold in new and unexpected ways.

KMC’s relief program in Turkana—an example of ministry beyond the pulpit

Conclusion

As the service concluded, worshippers left with hearts full of hope. The consecration of Bishop Josphat Kimani and the launch of the North Rift Diocese is a show of KMC’s faith in God.

The journey ahead may be marked by challenges, but it is also illuminated by opportunity. With unity, prayer, and steadfast commitment, the North Rift Diocese is poised to become a beacon of faith and service in the Rift Valley and beyond.

Indeed, November 3 will be remembered as the day KMC stepped boldly into a new chapter of its story—a chapter written not only in Eldoret but across the valleys, hills, and plains of Kenya’s heartland.

 

“The launch of the North Rift Diocese is not just the opening of a new chapter, but the unfolding of God’s promise—that where His people gather in faith, His church will grow and His light will shine.” — Moderator Samson Omondi

The First African Reverends of the Reformed Church of East Africa: The Story of Tibanga, Lugumira, and Wamukota

When the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) began its mission work in the early 1940s, the gospel was still largely confined to the white settler farms of Uasin Gishu. Led by Bwana Loubser of the Dutch Reformed Church, the mission focused primarily on Boer families, with little direct outreach to the African population living and working in the same region. That reality began to change dramatically in 1944, when a new missionary arrived—Rev. B.B. Eybers, a man with a bold vision to extend the message of Christ to Africans themselves.

 The Birth of African Leadership

Rev. Eybers believed that the future of the church in East Africa depended on training Africans to lead their own people in worship and service. To realize this vision, he established a small Bible Training Centre at Plateau, near Eldoret. It was here that three young men—Herbert Tibanga, Lugumira, and Jason Wamukota—would become the first African ministers in the history of the Reformed Church of East Africa.

All three were trained teachers and fluent in Swahili, which gave them a natural bridge to communicate the gospel effectively across the diverse linguistic communities of East Africa. Tibanga and Lugumira came from Bukoba, Tanzania, where they had been members of the Kanisa la Kilutheri Tanzania (KKT)—the Lutheran Church. Wamukota, on the other hand, was from Kitale, Kenya. Their ordination marked the dawn of an African-led church within a movement that had, until then, been confined to colonial boundaries.

Rev. Herbert Tibanga: The Plateau Shepherd

Rev. Herbert Tibanga was a devoted teacher and preacher from Bukoba, whose deep Lutheran roots and disciplined spirituality shaped his ministry. After completing his training under Rev. Eybers, he was ordained and appointed to lead the Plateau Congregation, one of the three sub-congregations of the missionary church (Plateau, Eldoret, and Kitale).

At Plateau, Tibanga lived at Bwana Loubser’s Mission Station and conducted services in a simple classroom at Plateau Primary School. Despite limited resources, his ministry grew steadily, attracting both farmworkers and families who had settled in the area. His faithfulness and humility made him a beloved figure in the community.

Granted emeritus status in 1981, Tibanga retired to his home in Bukoba the following year. There, he attempted to plant an RCEA congregation but later handed it over to the Lutheran Church before his death in 1997. His story is one of perseverance, quiet strength, and lifelong devotion to God’s call across borders.

Rev. Jeremiah Lugumira: The Faithful Evangelist of Eldoret

 Rev. Lugumira, also from Bukoba, Tanzania, shared similar beginnings with Tibanga. A former teacher and passionate evangelist, he became the first African minister to lead the Eldoret Congregation, one of the earliest RCEA centers in Kenya.

 On January 15, 1957, he was officially posted to Mungu Nasi Church in Eldoret, taking over from Rev. Wilken De Klerk, the grandfather of South Africa’s later president F.W. De Klerk. Under Lugumira’s leadership, the church began to attract more African worshippers from nearby farms and estates, expanding beyond its settler roots. His ministry was characterized by humility, compassion, and steadfast faith.

Tragically, in 1968, Lugumira suffered a stroke that partially paralyzed him. He returned to Bukoba, where he continued to serve as a spiritual mentor until his death on November 6, 1976. The RCEA honored him with emeritus status, recognizing his foundational role in spreading the gospel in Eldoret and beyond.

 Rev. Jason Wamukota: The Visionary Leader from Kitale

 Rev. Jason Wamukota was the youngest and perhaps the most dynamic of the three pioneers. Born in 1926 in Kitale, he was trained as a teacher and began his career at Marinda Primary School. His encounter with Rev. Eybers and the growing Reformed mission inspired him to pursue theological studies at Bethel Bible School in Plateau, where he was ordained on June 16, 1956.

 Wamukota’s ministry began at Kaptagat, Sergoit, and Plateau, before he was transferred to Kitale in 1960, exchanging posts with Rev. Tibanga. His ministry stretched across Trans-Nzoia, from Uncle Herman Keese’s farm—25 kilometers north of Kitale—to local congregations in town. A natural leader and visionary, he quickly became a mentor to emerging African pastors, including Rev. Biboko, Rev. Welime, Rev. George Makokha, Rev. Masibo, and Rev. Marauni—many of whom would later rise to senior leadership in the RCEA.

In 1963, at the dawn of Kenya’s independence, Wamukota was elected the first African Chairman of the RCEA Synod—a historic milestone that marked the full emergence of African leadership within the church. Sadly, his ministry was cut short by illness, and he passed away on October 21, 1969. His legacy, however, lives on through the pastors he mentored and the congregations he helped establish.

 Legacy of the Three Pioneers

The ordination of Revs. Tibanga, Lugumira, and Wamukota symbolized a new chapter in the history of Christianity in East Africa. They embodied the transition from European missionary control to African ownership of the church—a spiritual and cultural decolonization that empowered generations to come.

Their ministries formed the foundation of what is now a vibrant, self-sustaining Reformed Church of East Africa. They preached in classrooms, under trees, and on settler farms, nurturing communities of faith that would grow into enduring congregations across Uasin Gishu, Trans-Nzoia, and beyond.

Their story is one of vision, humility, and transformation—a testimony that the gospel takes deepest root when it grows in the language, culture, and heart of its own people.

By William Kiptoo 

Research and narrative adaptation based on RCEA historical records and oral testimonies.

 

Testimony of Redemption and Calling: The Story of Jeremiah Kimosop

Rev. Jeremiah Kipkosgei Kimosop is the pastor of Kitengela church. His journey is a living testimony of God’s power to redeem, restore, and repurpose a broken life. Born in 1968 as the first-born son of Rev. Abraham and Roseline Chebiego, Jeremiah’s early life followed a promising path — good schools, a career as a radio technician, and thriving business ventures. But by 2008, it all came crashing down. Businesses collapsed, debts mounted into millions, and the once-respected businessman found himself running away — first to Mombasa, then to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

In a small church in Sinza, a choir sang from Matthew 6:33 — “Seek first the Kingdom of God…” It pierced his heart. Answering the altar call, Jeremiah surrendered his life to Jesus. What followed was a 14-month “wilderness” in Mombasa under Chemichemi Ministries, where God stripped away the old self and shaped a servant’s heart.

From that refining fire came a missionary calling; first serving in Sunday school in Nairobi, then venturing to Maasai land in 2017. Today, the Kitengela church has birthed new congregations in Namelok and Ngelani, and a preaching post in Kithiani. His story is proof that God can turn ruins into revival.

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Early Life and Education

“I was born on July 15th 1968,” recalls Jeremiah Kipkosgei Kimosop, “the firstborn son of Rev. Abraham K. Chebiego and Roseline Chebiego.” The Chebiego family had four children in total — two sons and two daughters. Today, Jeremiah is married to Rose, and they are blessed with two sons, Kelvin and Emmanuel.

Jeremiah’s early years followed his father’s ministry postings. He began his schooling at St. Paul’s Primary School in Limuru from 1974 to 1976 while his father attended theological training at St. Paul’s United College, now St. Paul’s University. He later completed his primary education at Sosiani Primary School in Eldoret, before joining Kaiboi Technical Institute from 1982 to 1985 for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. He then attended Uasin Gishu High School for A Level studies from 1986 to 1987.

A Career in Telecommunications

His career began with Kenya Posts and Telecommunication. “I joined as a radio technician,” he says. “After three years of training at KCCT Mbagathi, I graduated in 1991 and was posted to Eldoret.” In 1996, Jeremiah ventured into business, running a telecommunication firm, buying and selling cereals from farmers, operating taxi services, selling computers and offering training, and later managing a car wash and vehicle sales company. All these were based in Eldoret.

But success turned into struggle. “In all my endeavors, I did badly,” he admits. By mid-2008, the debts had piled into the millions. Unable to account for clients’ funds, he fled to Mombasa, then to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with the intention of travelling on to South Africa.

The Turning Point

It was in Dar es Salaam that a moment of divine intervention changed his life. While attending a Sunday service at Christian Mission Fellowship in Sinza, Jeremiah heard the choir sing a song based on Matthew 6:33 — Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “That song touched my heart in a special way,” he remembers. “When the altar call was made, I was among the first to respond.”

A visiting pastor from the Island of Fiji prayed for him, asking, “Do you believe that God can turn your situation around?” Jeremiah said yes. “Right there, I surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and laid down my heavy financial, relational, and social burdens.”

Wilderness Lessons

Two weeks later, Jeremiah returned to Kenya and settled in Mombasa for fourteen months until late November 2009. There, under the pastoral care of the late Pastor Douureen Mwatembo of Chemichemi Ministries, Jeremiah underwent what he calls “my wilderness training.” He learned to live without employment, survive on help from well-wishers like his friend Mathenge, endure obscurity, and wait on God’s timing. “Waiting is frustrating and painful,” he says, “but never wasteful.”

Equipped for Ministry

In December 2009, Jeremiah returned to Eldoret and shared his testimony with family. Together with student pastor Robinson Kibet, he served Koitoror Parish for six months. In August 2010, he joined St. Paul’s University for a degree in Divinity, graduating in 2013. Soon after, he pursued a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Daystar University, completing it in 2016.

During his studies, Jeremiah served as a Sunday school teacher at RCEA Kawangware from 2010 to 2013, growing the ministry from nine children to over one hundred, and later at RCEA Kayole for two years.

A Call to Maasai Land

In December 2016, his father gave him a prophetic message: “It is time for you to venture out as a missionary to Maasai land and beyond.” In January 2017, Jeremiah held the first service of RCEA Kitengela alone in a rented property. The next Sunday, Elder Moses Cherop, his wife Ann, and a young girl named Rahab joined him. From those small beginnings, the Kitengela congregation has grown, planting churches in Namelok and Ngelani, and establishing a preaching post in Kithiani.

Reflecting on his journey, Jeremiah says, “From a man running away from debt to a missionary planting churches — that is what happens when you truly seek first the Kingdom of God. Everything else will follow.”

From Ruin to Revival: The Story of Jeremiah Kipkosgei Kimosop

Rev. Jeremiah Kipkosgei Kimosop is the current pastor of the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) Kitengela in Nairobi Presbytery, a vibrant congregation that marks a bold new frontier for RCEA which has long operated primarily in Western Kenya. Since pioneering the Kitengela mission in January 2017, starting with a handful of worshippers in a rented room, Rev. Kimosop has led the church to grow both in numbers and depth, planting daughter congregations in Namelok and Ngelani, and establishing a preaching post in Kithiani. His ministry combines a passion for evangelism, community building, and cross-cultural outreach, extending the RCEA’s presence into the fast-growing urban and peri-urban areas of Kajiado County. Here, he shares his testimony.

Early Life and Education

“I was born on July 15th 1968,” recalls Jeremiah Kipkosgei Kimosop, “the firstborn son of Rev. Abraham K. Chebiego and Roseline Chebiego.” The family had four children — two sons and two daughters. Today, Jeremiah is married to Rose, and they are blessed with two sons, Kelvin and Emmanuel.

Jeremiah’s childhood followed the movements of his father’s ministry. He began his schooling at St. Paul’s Primary School in Limuru from 1974 to 1976 while his father trained at St. Paul’s United College, now St. Paul’s University. He later completed his primary education at Sosiani Primary School in Eldoret.

From 1982 to 1985, he studied at Kaiboi Technical Institute for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, and then attended Uasin Gishu High School for A Level studies from 1986 to 1987.

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“When the altar call was made, I was among the first to respond… I surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”

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A Career in Telecommunications

Jeremiah began his professional life at Kenya Posts and Telecommunication. “I joined as a radio technician, trained for three years at KCCT Mbagathi, graduated in 1991, and was posted to Eldoret,” he explains.

By 1996, he had ventured into private business — operating a telecommunication firm, buying and selling cereals from farmers, running taxi services, selling and training in computers, and later managing a car wash and vehicle sales company. All were based in Eldoret.

However, things did not go as planned. “In all my endeavors, I did badly,” he admits. By mid-2008, he had accumulated debts running into millions. Unable to account for clients’ funds, he fled Eldoret for Mombasa, and then Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with plans to head to South Africa.

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The Turning Point

While in Dar es Salaam, Jeremiah attended a Sunday service at Christian Mission Fellowship in Sinza. The choir sang a song based on Matthew 6:33 — Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“That song touched my heart in a special way,” he remembers. “When the altar call was made, I was among the first to go forward. A visiting pastor from the Island of Fiji prayed for me and asked, ‘Do you believe God can turn around your situation?’ I said yes, and right there, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.”

Two weeks later, Jeremiah returned to Kenya and settled in Mombasa for fourteen months until late November 2009. He joined Chemichemi Ministries under Pastor Douureen Mwatembo, now deceased. “That was my wilderness training,” he says.

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“Waiting is frustrating and painful, but never wasteful.”

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Wilderness Lessons

In Mombasa, Jeremiah learned to live without employment, survive on the generosity of well-wishers like his friend Mathenge, endure obscurity and loneliness, and wait on God’s timing. “God stripped away my pride and the old self, and shaped me into a new creation,” he shares.

In December 2009, Jeremiah returned to Eldoret and shared his testimony with his family. Together with student pastor Robinson Kibet, he served Koitoror Parish for six months.

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Equipped for Ministry

In August 2010, Jeremiah enrolled in St. Paul’s University for a degree in Divinity, graduating in 2013. He immediately pursued a Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Daystar University, graduating in 2016.

While studying, he served as a Sunday school teacher at RCEA Kawangware from 2010 to 2013, growing the ministry from nine children to over one hundred. He later served at RCEA Kayole for two years.

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The Call to Maasai Land

In December 2016, his father gave him a prophetic message: “It is time for you to venture out as a missionary to Maasai land and beyond.” Jeremiah obeyed the call.

“In January 2017, I held my first service alone in a rented property in Kitengela,” he recalls. The following Sunday, Elder Moses Cherop, his wife Ann, and a young girl named Rahab joined him. From those humble beginnings, the Kitengela congregation has grown, planting churches in Namelok and Ngelani, and establishing a preaching post in Kithiani.

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“From a man running away from debt to a missionary planting churches — that is what happens when you truly seek first the Kingdom of God.”

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Evangelist Moses Cherop: A Legacy of Faith, Service, and Leadership

 “Looking back,” Evangelist Moses Cherop says with a warm smile, “I can only thank God for the journey. I never imagined that a boy from Kimwarer would serve the church in so many ways.”

Few leaders in Kenya’s Christian history have left as wide and lasting a mark as Moses Cherop. As the first African Youth Secretary for the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) (1968–1971), succeeding Rev. William Bouw, he steered the youth department during a critical transition from missionary to African leadership. Under his watch, the vision for a permanent Conference and Training Center (CTC) became reality—today’s RCEA Guest House in Eldoret. He has since gone on to shape church growth, plant congregations, and mentor generations of youth leaders. Even in formal retirement, he and his wife, Ann, remain deeply involved in planting churches in Nairobi Parish and Presbytery.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1945 in Kimwarer, Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Cherop grew up in a rural setting, beginning his education at Muskut Primary School in 1958 before moving to Laikipia, where he completed the Kenya Advanced Primary Education (KAPE) examination in 1964. In the same year, his family settled in Tendwo, part of the Kaptagat Settlement Scheme, former settler farmland now given to African smallholders.

“I was employed by the Kaptagat Cooperative Society,” he recalls, “but my heart was slowly being drawn into youth ministry.”

Moses Cherop and his wife Ann in Nairobi recently. Photo by William Kiptoo

Call to Ministry and Theological Formation

At Kaptagat, Cherop became active in the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) youth ministry. His dedication caught the attention of Rev. William Bouw, then RCEA Youth Pastor and missionary. “Rev. Bouw was more than a mentor,” Cherop says. “He saw potential in me that I had not yet seen.”

Bouw encouraged him to join the Reformed Bible School in Eldoret (now RITT), where he completed a certificate in evangelism in 1968. He was posted to Plateau Parish while serving as Assistant Youth Secretary. In 1969, a scholarship from the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) took him to Zambia’s Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation for nine months of intensive youth and social work training—a life-changing experience.

National Youth Leadership and RCEA Growth

Returning to Kenya in 1970, Cherop was appointed National Youth Secretary, becoming the first African to hold the position. “It was exciting and daunting,” he admits. “We had no camping facilities, so we held youth camps in boarding schools. The energy was unbelievable—youth from all over Kenya learning, praying, and leading.”

That same year, a visiting Dutch youth team was so inspired by the ministry that they raised KES 480,000—far beyond their initial goal. “That gift,” Cherop recalls, “is what built the RCEA Conference and Training Center. God provided through friends we had only just met.”

Later in 1970, Cherop traveled to London for an international Boys’ Brigade training, representing RCEA alongside Boys Brigade Organization in Kenya.

Service at NCCK and National Impact

In 1972, Cherop joined the NCCK as Regional Youth Secretary for the Rift Valley, focusing on leadership and development training. In 1974, he moved to the Limuru Conference and Training Center, working with the Mindolo Foundation before being appointed Director in 1977. He briefly travelled to attend Birmingham to study Christian Education at the Westhill College of Education courtesy of the World council of churches scholarship in 1975.

By 1980, he was at NCCK’s national office, serving in the Youth Department until 1983. “It was about shaping leaders,” he reflects. “Thousands of young people passed through our programs. Some are now national leaders, pastors, and community builders.”

Church Planting and Continued Ministry

In the 1990s, as RCEA extended into Nairobi, a congregation began at Church House under Dr. Peter Bisem. Eventually, it moved to Cherop’s home on Jogoo Road—becoming the foundation for today’s Kayole RCEA Church.

After ministry years in Eldoret, he returned to Nairobi, becoming a pioneer at Kitengela RCEA Church. As Parish Secretary, he helped expand into Eastern Kenya and Maasai regions—planting churches in Nameelok, Ngelani, Kithiani, Kola, and beyond.

“At Kola,” he says, “we’ve partnered with the family of Musa Amalemba, a pioneer elder from Kapkoi Parish. We hope to plant a new congregation there soon. And just last month, we began a new RCEA church in Nakuru with Mau Narok Parish.”

Legacy and Family

Though formally retired, Cherop remains a pillar of ministry. “Ann and I still serve together,” he says with a gentle laugh. “The work of the Gospel does not retire.” His decades-long ministry spans evangelism, youth development, church planting, and institutional leadership—leaving a living legacy in the RCEA and across Kenya’s Christian landscape.

“I have seen God’s faithfulness,” Cherop concludes. “And if there is one thing I would tell the next generation—it is this: Serve where you are, and God will take you where you need to be.”

Evangelist Moses Cherop: A Legacy of Faith, Service, and Leadership

In the story of the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA), few names shine as brightly as that of Evangelist Moses Cherop. His journey—rooted in humble beginnings, strengthened by a deep call to ministry, and marked by decades of faithful service—continues to inspire generations of leaders and believers across Kenya.

A Humble Beginning and a Growing Vision
Born in 1945 in Kimwarer, Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Moses Cherop began life in a rural village before moving to Laikipia. There, in 1965, he completed his Kenya Advanced Primary Education (KAPE). The following year, his family settled in Tendwo, part of the Kaptagat Settlement Scheme—a former settler farm now owned by African smallholders. Young Moses found work at the Kaptagat Cooperative Society, unaware that God was already preparing him for a much greater mission.

Answering the Call
While serving in Kaptagat, Cherop became deeply involved with the RCEA youth ministry. His commitment caught the attention of Rev. William Bouew, then RCEA Youth Pastor and missionary, who saw in him a leader for the future. Guided by this mentorship, Moses enrolled at the Reformed Bible School in Eldoret (now the Reformed Institute for Theological Training—RITT), where he earned a certificate in evangelism in 1968.

Upon graduation, he served at Plateau Parish while assisting Rev. Bouew as Assistant Youth Secretary. A year later, in 1969, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) awarded him a scholarship to study Youth and Social Work at the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation in Zambia—a transformative nine-month program that broadened his vision for ministry and leadership.

Pioneering National Youth Leadership
In 1970, Cherop returned to Kenya and stepped into history as the first African National Youth Secretary of the RCEA, succeeding Rev. Bouew. His leadership brought new energy to the department, with annual youth camps held in boarding schools across Kenya. These gatherings, despite the absence of RCEA-owned facilities, became hubs of discipleship, leadership training, and fellowship for young believers from multiple parishes.

That same year, a visiting youth team from the Netherlands, inspired by the passion and vision of RCEA youth, raised KES 480,000—far exceeding their initial goal. This generosity enabled the construction of the RCEA Conference and Training Center in Eldoret, today known as the Reformed Guest House. Later in 1970, Cherop represented the RCEA internationally in a Boys’ Brigade training course in London, working alongside the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) and Africa Inland Church (AIC).

Service Beyond RCEA
In 1972, Cherop transitioned to the NCCK as Regional Youth Secretary for the Rift Valley, focusing on leadership development among young people. By 1974, he was at the Limuru Conference and Training Center, a national hub for youth and vocational training run in partnership with Mindolo Foundation. His leadership there culminated in his appointment as Director in 1977.

From 1980 to 1983, he served at the NCCK National Office in the Youth Department, shaping policy, mentoring young leaders, and advancing interchurch cooperation. His work influenced thousands of youth nationwide, leaving an indelible mark on Kenya’s Christian leadership landscape.

Church Planting and Ongoing Ministry
The 1990s brought a new chapter. As RCEA expanded into Nairobi, a congregation began at Church House under Dr. Peter Bisem, then NCCK Deputy General Secretary. When the fellowship needed a home, Cherop opened his residence on Jogoo Road, which became the seedbed for the Kayole RCEA Church.

After years of ministry in Eldoret, he returned to Nairobi, helping to pioneer the Kitengela RCEA Church and later the Kawangware congregation under Nairobi Presbytery. As Parish Secretary at Kitengela, he worked tirelessly to extend the church’s reach into Eastern Kenya and the Maasai regions—establishing congregations in Nameelok, Ngelani, Kithiani, Kola, and more.

At Kola, he helped forge ties with the family of the late Musa Amalemba, a pioneer elder of Kapkoi Parish, with plans now underway to plant a new church there. In addition, he is partnering with Mau Narok Parish to establish an RCEA congregation in Nakuru, a mission that began just weeks ago.

A Lasting Legacy
Though officially retired, Evangelist Cherop shows no signs of slowing down. Alongside his wife, Ann, he continues to plant churches, mentor leaders, and encourage the next generation. His life’s work—spanning evangelism, youth development, church planting, and institutional leadership—stands as a testament to unwavering faith, servant leadership, and a vision for a vibrant, Christ-centered church in Kenya.

Evangelist Moses Cherop’s story reminds us that true leadership is not about titles or positions—it’s about faithful service, enduring vision, and the willingness to invest in others for the glory of God. His legacy is one the RCEA will carry forward for generations to come.

Evangelist Moses Cherop: RCEA First African Youth Secretary

 Evangelist Moses Cherop was the first RCEA youth Secretary (1968-1971).

Moses Cherop and his wife Ann in Nairobi recently. Photo by William Kiptoo

Early Life and Education

Evangelist Moses Cherop was born in 1945 in Kimwarer, Keiyo South, within Elgeyo Marakwet County. He began his education in his rural village before relocating to Laikipia, where he sat for the Kenya Advanced Primary Education (KAPE) examination in 1965. In 1966, his family moved to Tendwo in the Kaptagat Settlement Scheme, a former settler farm that had been acquired by African smallholders. There, he was employed by the Kaptagat Cooperative Society.

Call to Ministry and Theological Formation

During his time in Kaptagat, Cherop became deeply involved with the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) youth ministry. His dedication caught the attention of Rev. William Bouew, the then RCEA Youth Pastor and missionary. Under Bouew’s mentorship, Moses enrolled at the Reformed Bible School in Eldoret (now Reformed Institute for Theological Training RITT) and completed a certificate in evangelism in 1968.

After his graduation, he was posted to serve at Plateau Parish while also assisting Rev. Bouew as Assistant Youth Secretary. In 1969, recognizing the need for further professional development, Cherop was awarded a scholarship by the National Council of Churches of Kenya NCCK to study Youth and Social Work at the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation in Zambia, a 9 month transformative course.

 National Youth Leadership and RCEA Growth

Returning to Kenya in 1970, Cherop was appointed as the National Youth Secretary of RCEA, succeeding Rev. Bouew. Under his leadership, the youth ministry became a vibrant national department. He organized annual youth camps across Kenya, hosted in boarding schools due to the lack of RCEA camping facilities. These camps brought together youth from various parishes, cultivating leadership and spiritual growth.

That same year, a visiting youth team from the Netherlands, moved by the Kenyan youth ministry’s spirit and vision, raised KES 480000 well above their initial target leading to the construction of the RCEA Conference and Training Center in Eldoret, now known as the Reformed Guest House.

 Later in 1970, Cherop participated in an international Boys’ Brigade training course in London, representing RCEA in partnership with ACK and AIC.

 Service at NCCK and National Impact

In 1972, Cherop transitioned to the NCCK, beginning as the Regional Youth Secretary for the Rift Valley, where he focused on training youth in leadership and development. In 1974, he was transferred to the Limuru Conference and Training Center, a hub for youth leadership and vocational training in collaboration with Mindolo Foundation. He was appointed as its Director in 1977.

 In 1980, Cherop joined the NCCK National Office, serving in the Youth Department until 1983. Throughout his time at NCCK, he nurtured thousands of young leaders across the country and contributed to shaping national conversations on youth development and interchurch cooperation.

 Church Planting and Continued Ministry

In the 1990s, as RCEA expanded into Nairobi, a congregation was formed at Church House under Dr. Peter Bisem, then NCCK Deputy General Secretary. Eventually, the congregation moved to Cherop’s home on Jogoo Road, a nurturing space that later gave birth to the Kayole RCEA Church.

 Following years of ministry in Eldoret, Cherop moved back to Nairobi and became a pioneer member of the Kitengela RCEA Church and later helped establish the Kawangware congregation under Nairobi Presbytery. As Parish Secretary at Kitengela, he has worked tirelessly to expand the church’s reach into Eastern Kenya and the Maasai regions, with active congregations in Nameelok, Ngelani, Kithiani, Kola, and others.

 At Kola, together with the parish leadership, he has established ties with the family of the late Musa Amalemba, pioneer elder of Kapkoi Parish. Plans are underway to start a new church in this area. Cherop is also collaborating with Mau Narok Parish to establish a new RCEA congregation in Nakuru, which began less than a month ago.

 Legacy and Family

Although formally retired, Evangelist Moses Cherop remains an active and passionate servant in the ministry. Alongside his wife, Ann Cherop, he continues to contribute to church growth, youth mentorship, and leadership development across Kenya. His legacy of service, spanning evangelism, youth development, church planting, and institutional leadership, continues to inspire new generations of believers and leaders in the RCEA and beyond.