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.