A Long Look Back

Peter Njiri, general superintendent of the Kenya Assemblies of God, recently visited with leaders of the U.S. Assemblies of God and Assemblies of God World Missions. Njiri has served in his office longer than any general superintendent of any Assemblies of God fellowship in the world. He spoke with Scott Harrup on behalf of PE News.

PE NEWS: When you look back over the past 33 years as superintendent, what are one or two key events within the Kenya Assemblies of God that stand out?

PETER NJIRI: First of all, the growth of the church has been tremendous. We started with 300 churches when I took office, and now we have more than 4,000 churches. Spiritually, the Lord has enabled us to reach as many people as we can. The Assemblies of God now represents about four percent of the Kenyan population.

Second, we are now sending missionaries. There are 39 we have sent who are ministering among the unreached tribes in Kenya.

PE NEWS: You have chaired the East Africa Assemblies of God Alliance and Africa Assemblies of God Alliance, and have served on the executive committee of the World AG. How do you see God using the cooperative fellowships of the Assemblies to God to reach our world today?

NJIRI: I believe that cooperation has brought us to a very successful enabling to do great things for the Kingdom. When you stand alone, you can do some things. But when you stand together you can do more and can receive encouragement. The principle of cooperation and partnership has been true of the Assemblies of God throughout its history.

PE NEWS: What is a word of encouragement you could offer to the U.S. Assemblies of God?

NJIRI: Trod on! Trod on! Let's continue! Let the U.S. Assemblies of God be used by God as from the beginning, sending out missionaries and praying for the world. I believe the Master will come, and He will greatly reward the U.S. Assemblies for what they have done. I myself am a result of the missionaries coming to Kenya. I could not be doing what I am doing without that ministry.

PE NEWS: During your years of pastoring Bahati Assembly of God in Nairobi, you have always had a heart for the enormous needs in your community. Why is the local church so vital to any community?

NJIRI:  One, if the local church is focusing on the community, the church can become the answer. Bahati has been the answer to many people across that community. Out of that church, more than 40 other churches have been planted. And it is well known in the community that we support physical as well as spiritual needs. There is no gospel communicated if you don't meet the material need of someone who has nothing. But when we meet physical as well as spiritual need, we are sharing the whole gospel.

PE NEWS: We live in a troubled world, and Kenya recently suffered greatly during the massacre at Garissa. How do you see the gospel continuing to triumph in spite of tragedy?

NJIRI: As Jesus said, "I will build My church, and even the gates of hell will not prevent it." Christianity is the greatest message in the whole world, because its Founder is our Lord Jesus Christ. We stand strong, we are the conquerors, because of the One who is in us. So, whether there are hindrances or conflicts or enemies of the gospel, we stand strong. We are not discouraged in any way.

PE NEWS: Do you have any concluding thoughts you would like to share?

NJIRI: I would say as Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." We continue praying for more laborers. There is a whitened harvest in the whole world. Laborers are needed in every way, to meet both material and spiritual needs. Let's be involved in every area.

Pictured: Kenya Assemblies of God General Superintendent Peter Njiri and his wife Naomi pray with members of the U.S. Assemblies of God World Missions Executive Committee during a recent visit to Springfield, Missouri

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