Jonah Kogo writes, “coming from the Kalenjin community in Kenya, I find myself rooted in a culture that is deeply conservative and reserved, particularly when it comes to matters related to LGBTQ individuals.” He continues by saying that the youth of his community that identify as LGBTQ face discrimination in the church, in their families, in government, and in society.
Through his observations, Jonah heard a particular calling by God to help establish a more inclusive and compassionate society, one that mirrors more closely the Kingdom of God. In his response, Jonah began to craft a program to create safe spaces within the church where LGBTQ individuals can worship without fear of discrimination and rejection. He also began to recognize that the greater community had not met the mental health needs of the LGBTQ population. By creating this program, Jonah decided that he would help begin a ministry that is not only life-changing in his local context, but also a great extension of the very heart of God into the world.
Jonah designed a program to convene young adults who identify as LGBTQ with church leaders for meditation, prayer, bible study, and discussions that included topics on mental health, resiliency, HIV prevention, overall well-being, and challenging prejudices to foster a more inclusive society. Initially he feared that people would not be open to attending because of fear of stigma, but after the doors opened to the public, more and more people began to arrive, more than 675 people participated!
The overall program saw good attendance and active participation from LGBTQ youth in Eldoret, Kenya, which contributed to its success. People felt comfortable to openly speak about their experiences with God and professed a desire to continue growing in their faith. The program did face threats from the outside, and people expressed a need for their privacy. Because the designers of the program held the participants’ safety in their highest regard, there were certain measures taken through the course of the program to ensure the safety and well-being of all.
All-in-all, the program clearly demonstrated how evangelism and the compassionate and all-inclusive love of Jesus Christ can break down barriers and encourage open-mindedness among people who might initially resist change. Jesus’ way of love clearly played a crucial role in transforming attitudes and hearts during this program’s outreach.
In reflecting upon this ministry, Jonah writes that there is a continued need for advocacy for LGBTQ rights and mental health awareness. “We plan to continue our engagement with local partners, to advocate for policy changes to support LGBTQ rights, and to create a more inclusive and supportive environment in our community.” He concludes his report to EES by thanking all of the individuals and organizations who contributed to the success of this project, including facilitators, volunteers, and clergy.
A new door has been opened for life-giving ministry thanks to The Rev. Jonah Kogo.
