With Signs Following 

Encouraging new reports from the Migori Initiative in Kenya

Amidst all the negative news that get fills our TV screens on a daily basis from across the world – wars, earthquakes and droughts to name a few - it is always so good and encouraging to hear how God is still very much at work among the nations by His Spirit.

Prophecy Today has on a number of previous occasions published reports emanating from the Migori Initiative, a small team of Dutch Christians working together with a group of Kenyan pastors in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ across East Africa.

They are regularly seeing dramatic signs of God at work, transforming lives.

Miracles and wonders

As they write, “In November last year, after the conference in Migori where servant of God Mark van Niekirk preached, the message of Messiah and miraculous God of Israel spread from Migori to Mombasa, and to every part of Kenya, and, indeed, to much of East Africa. 

After the conference, we started outreaches in different parts of the country, led by Mark. We travelled to various small parts of the nation, with miracles, wonders, healings and signs following wherever we visited. 

And so it was that he and his whole family (including his four wives!) were saved from Islam.

In some places, we found people following their own various gods, and maintaining their traditional way of worship, while the lives of others that we met centred around witchcraft. God opened the eyes of these people, and a great many were saved, with witches being rendered powerless and people becoming thirsty to learn more about Messiah and longing to meet brother Mark and ourselves.”

Muslims flock to Jesus

One significant fruit of the work has been the number of Muslims turning their backs on Islam, even at great personal cost. Often, the team go and share the gospel with Muslims as a result of an invitation. They report, on one occasion, of being asked to speak with 27 Muslims at a mosque in Nairobi, and being invited to meet 17 mullahs who wished to hear the gospel and who subsequently gave their lives to the Lord.

The teams writes, “A senior government Mullah in Kenya, Rashid, who interprets and writes laws, contacted the brothers. He seemed very genuine and appeared to be seeking truth, but at the same time said that he remained convinced of the truth of Islam. Our brother Mark van Niekirk spoke to him; he was prayed for and quickly became convinced of the reality of Christ Jesus – going on to surrender his life to Him. So excited was he that he called his sick mother, prayed for her and she was healed of her illness! And so it was that he and his whole family (including his four wives!) were saved from Islam.”

There appears to be a number of reasons for the hunger for the gospel that exists amongst Muslims in this region. For example, “In Mombasa, Kenya’s capital city, Abdalla brought several Muslims who no longer had any real peace in the reality of Islam. They were reciting Qu’ran verses and chapters as they had been taught, but they weren’t even understanding the language or context of what they were reading. Further, they were not allowed to question anything in their ‘holy book’; asking questions about Mohamed or Allah was forbidden.” 

In addition, there is no promise of heaven in Islam. Indeed, as the brothers are discovering, black Africans are being told that there is no heaven for their racial group at all. On top of this, poor people are also not receiving practical help by their neighbours. And no physical healings occur – or are even expected. And so it is that the remarkable healings being performed through the power of Jesus are being shared widely, and are encouraging a wonderful openness to the gospel.

Amina and Suhura

“There was a woman called Amina who was brought by Abdalla, a sister who helps in our ministry; Amina had a twelve-year-old child who was suffering from sickle cell anaemia. Being her only daughter, the girl was on medication and the doctors said that she might die by the age of seventeen. Amina was in a state of hopeless and despondency when we met her. In fact, she was hiding her girl Suhar; not wanting anyone to see her. Tears rolled down Amina's face as we were praying, while Suhura could not understand a word we prayed. But as a result of our care and compassion, Amina decided to leave Islam, and to join a small church in secret in Mombasa. At   the same time, she still also attended the local mosque to avoid punishment by Muslims. 

The remarkable healings being performed through the power of Jesus are being shared widely, and are encouraging a wonderful openness to the gospel.

Two months after we left, she called us and reported that Suhura was becoming notably better after the prayer by our team. Bishop Benard told her that it was not owing to us but, rather, Yeshua solely. Yesterday Amina called us again, and reported that her daughter was now testing negative for sickle cell anaemia! She said that from now on she will follow the God of Jesus Christ, and Him alone.”

Paying the price

Sadly, many of those who have recently turned to Christ face persecution and poverty after choosing Him – such is the hatred of His name within Islam in this region. Rashid lost his government post. Another lady and her five children were kicked out of their home after becoming saved.

That’s why part of the ministry of Migori Initiative has involved finding urgent housing and support for those suddenly in need. Only recently, we have had to feed and house 27 adults and 47 children.

One weekend, three elders from a council of witches were saved – and in quite an amazing way. Another time, the team “encountered a sect who believed their founder was god; his name was Jehovah Wanyoni. Sadly, he passed away and his followers were left with his son. Brothers Benard Potash and Samwell were asked to minister to 72 elders of their sect, and all came to know Christ Jesus as saviour!”

Government support

The team has found that local governments are largely supportive of the work now. At one point recently, Brother Benard was summoned to the government offices in the department of Education because they wanted the teachings of Christ to be taken to learning institutions, including universities, in order to oppose the tribal religions (including devil worship) and the teachings of Islam.

Due to the planning of a conference for all the people that have been saved through the Migori ministry, the team leaders were summoned by the government to discuss security and arrangements. The brothers returned rejoicing in how positive the meeting was and how the government had promised to provide security free of charge for the speakers. The government staff even asked the team to pray for them. 

The brothers returned rejoicing in how positive the meeting was and how the government had promised to provide security free of charge for the speakers.

Initially, it was hoped that 3,000 people would attend. However, such has been the power of the gospel, that as many as ten times that number (30,000) have asked to come! This conference will be happening in August.

Time is short

In conclusion the team proclaims, “The Sovereign Lord is moving, He has His remnant despite the many horrors that are rippling around the world.

He is still able and He is still at work.

We are working while we have the Light.

However, time is short.

Let us pursue Him now – with all our hearts, minds and souls – and dedicate our lives fully to His service.