The Role of the Church in Rural Development: a Case Study of the Seventh-day Adventist (Sda) Church in South Nyanza District, Kenya

Abstract

Despite the various documented works on church and development, there has been no specific study conducted to evaluate the role of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church in rural development. The available documents have tended to portray the SDA Church as very conservative in its doc- trines, strongly opposed to any activity aimed at creating and supporting partnership between the church and the state. The aim of this study is to find out the role of the SDA Church in rural development. With particular reference to South Nyanza District. It examines the philosophy of the SDA Church and factors that hinder its involvement in rural development. The research hypothesis tested is to see the justification of the SDA Church in rural development. The study is a result of both library and field research. views were carried to verify the hypothesis. Inter- Chapters one and two are an introduction to the study, whereas chapter three provides a brief historical background on the beliefs and practice of the SDA Church and the time it arrived in Kenya as well as in-South Nyanza District. Chapter four highlights the situation, development needs and aspirations of people ~n the study area. Chapters five and six focus on the development activities of the SDA Church in South Nyanza District. The study reveals that the SDA Church, since its inception in the country in 1906, has and continues to play a significant role in the development of education and provision of health services in the area. In addition, it pro- motes small scale business enterprises (SSBEs) by extending soft loans to well-organized development groups such as women groups with sustainable and viable projects. However l in order for the SDA Church to achieve its purpose in develop¬ment, firstly, it must strengthen its administration systems for the mobilization of local resources, efficient management of finances, and all other resources, secondly, the church leaders must realise the goals, objectives and specific development programmes initiated by the church or by any individuals through its sponsorship. Finally, chapter seven is the summary, conclusions and recommendations