Evaluation of the Incarnational Mission Model for Evangelism: A Case of Asian Evangelism in Three Selected Churches, in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Abstract

The ever-evolving landscape of Christian missionary work has been characterized by strategies and methodologies for spreading the Gospel. The strategies have been adapted to the diverse contexts in which they are applied. Among these approaches, the Incarnational Mission Model stands out as a profound and transformative method that emphasizes living out the message of Christ in the daily lives of missionaries within the communities they serve. This study sought to critically evaluate the effectiveness and implications of the Incarnational Mission Model as applied to Asian Evangelism in Nairobi, Kenya. The study employed a qualitative research design to comprehensively investigate the critical evaluation of the Incarnational Mission Model for evangelism in Christian missionary work, focusing on the unique context of Asian Evangelism in Nairobi, Kenya. The study involved participants from three churches, namely, Nav Jeevan Assembly in South C, Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) Parklands, and River of God Church in Parklands, all in Nairobi, Kenya, specializing in Asian Evangelism. Each church provided a sample of eight participants, comprising both leaders and regular members who engaged in evangelism, resulting in a total sample size of 24 participants. The data was collected using in-depth interviews and participants’ observations. Thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics summarized participants' responses, and inferential statistical techniques, such as regression analysis, were used to identify correlations and associations among variables. The study offered insights into the application of the Incarnational Mission Model in Asian evangelism in Nairobi. The study found that the incarnational mission model had been effectively used in evangelizing Asians in Nairobi. Embodied presence was a key frame in the way Asian evangelists were doing missions. Further, cultural identification where participants were deeply immersed in trying to grasp and relate to the cultural experience of their clients was a key part of the incarnational mission model as employed by Asian evangelists. Holistic evangelism emphasizing community development was an integral expression of the model. Even in the face of resistance, this model offered a theologically grounded alternative to aggressive and antagonistic mission styles.