Evangelization Among the Poor Poverty: A Challenge to The Mission of The Church In Kenya (Makina Makongeni Sub-Parish)
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Date
2004
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
My objective in writing this long essay is to explore the theological basis for the
Church's involvement in evangelizing the poor. This has to be done following Jesus'
example during his public ministry on earth. Jesus identified himself with the needy and
the poor "as long as you did it to one of these little ones, you did it to me (Mt 25:40)"
Jesus acted in solidarity with the poor during his entire earthly ministry.
Having done pastoral work among the people of Makina Makongeni Sub-Parish for the
last three years, I have come to realize that:
1-The poor need people of faith to teach them the Good News of Jesus Christ, who is the
liberator, consoler, comforter and source of love.
2-For the poor to come out of their material, political and economical poverty, they need
people to address the oppression and injustice they are facing.
3-The poor remind us of the role they play in God's plan and in the kingdom.
The mission of the Church is no other than the mission of Jesus who was sent into the
world by the Father and who sent the Holy Spirit to continue and complete his saving
work. "The Church on earth is by its very nature a missionary since, according to the
plan of the Father; it has its origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit". The
proclamation of the Good News to those who do not know Jesus is in fact the grace and
vocation of the Church, her deepest identity. The Church is the hope of the poor, the
oppressed, homeless, destitute, orphans and widows of this world. Those who are suffering and weeping truly expect words and actions that bring them
Good News. Through evangelization, the poor discover the true love of Jesus Christ who
came to comfort and console them. Evangelization confronts poverty, injustice,
oppression, exploitation and the conditions and social structures that breed these evils.
The Church as Christ's body ought to continue this ministry by preaching the Good News
to the poor, proclaiming the Gospel that sets the oppressed free and bringing wholeness
to the broken hearted. The Church helps the poor to overcome and transcend the fear of
death and believe in the life here after.
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Keywords
Evangelization, Poor, Poverty, Church In Kenya