Lomut, West Pokot County, Kenya
Who We Are
To gather the Pokot community, empower them spiritually, economically and socially so that they can be able to give to others.
A word from the director
Welcome
WMK's main objective is to provide holistic and sustainable solutions to the different challenges facing the Pokot.
The Wildfire Ministry of Kenya (WMK) is a Christ-centered ministry which aims to equip and train the unreached Pokot community for a lifestyle of Christ-centered service. The ministry's theme is "To gather, grow and give." WMK is a ministry of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Athi River (www.ywamathiriver.org) and therefore adheres to the principles and values of YWAM International. The ministry intends to teach more about who God is, His character, His nature, and His ways.
West Pokot is a beautiful, diverse region with many opportunities to show God's love. There are a number of ways you can get involved with WMK. We provide a range of targeted programs to address the issues affecting the Pokot community.
It doesn't matter whether you've finished university and are looking to kick start your career, or are still at school and seeking some real-world experience — we have a program for every one of you. We are a thriving ministry, dedicated to being a model of Christ's love and His never-ending fellowship.
We also welcome anyone with suggestions or input. Feel free to contact us. Thank you, and welcome.
— Joram Kingori, Director
Mission
To gather the Pokot community, empower them spiritually, economically and socially so that they can be able to give to others.
Vision
An empowered Pokot, rich in God's values
Theme
“To gather, grow and give”
How WMK began
Founding
Wildfire Ministry of Kenya is a Christian organization based in West Pokot and founded to help empower the Pokot with knowledge, resources and Christian virtues to enable them lead better fulfilling lives. WMK's main objective is providing holistic and sustainable solutions to the different challenges facing the Pokot.
WMK was founded by a team of missionaries led by Joram Kingori (YWAM Athi River) and inspired by Pastor John Mills of Wildfire Ministries USA. After frequent visits to the Pokot region, Joram shared his vision with many people including Pastor Mills, who motivated him to a bold step of faith to help the Pokot community.
To complement the broader vision, Joram has made it his personal dream that every Pokot would hear the gospel and that every Pokot child would receive an education.
What we’re working toward
Objectives
- To provide a holistic model of service that focuses on physical, spiritual and economic empowerment.
- To establish a "front line" for the advancement of Christianity in the region.
- To offer education and training opportunities to the Pokot children.
- To be a model of cultural change.
- To provide an avenue of outreach for churches in developed regions.
Core Values
In order to accomplish our vision, WMK must be a unique kind of organization — the kind of organization that God can use to make a difference in Pokot. Our core values are our guiding principles; they ensure that everything we do is aligned with our vision.
Relationships
WMK believes nothing can be achieved without first building relationships. We are committed to working hand in hand with the Pokot, learning and sharing in their experiences, loving them, and trying to fit in their lives. By doing this, we want to gain the confidence and trust of the people, to build a long-lasting relationship. We get our inspiration from Jesus and aim to imitate Him always.
Service
Acts 20:35, Philippians 2:1-4, Colossians 3:17We value service. God's design is that we be a blessing to one another and the world around us. As we serve others we become a part of what God is doing in the world, and we come to understand the grace and the mercy of God in our lives.
Partnership
We value our partner's willingness and loyalty to commit. We are focused to help this partnership and mutual understanding grow.
Teaching
Matthew 28:19-20We believe in the great commission. We want to fulfill the Great Commission by proclaiming Christ to the people in Pokot.
Discipleship
God's design is that we become like Christ. We enter into relationships where we learn from others, become accountable in our weaknesses, and grow in Christian character.
Love
To foster relationships with the people, we believe that there must always be a genuine interest at heart for the people we are reaching to. Many problems in conflicted relationships involve power struggles, people feeling excluded and the absence of brotherly affection. These problems are remedied by the expression of both agape and phileo love. WMK believes that where there is genuine love, both parties enjoy submitting one to the other.
Fellowship
An important part of worship is the fellowship of the people of God gathered. Fellowship is about connecting with one another. It's about living life, having fun, enjoying what God is doing in our lives, and growing together no matter what life throws at us. The truth is we need one another. We desire to develop a sense of community where all feel welcomed.
What We Believe
God
We believe God created the heavens and earth and man. Without Him, we would not exist. He is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega.
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We believe He died on the cross to save us. Through Him we were reconciled back to God.
The Bible
The Bible is the sole basis of our beliefs. We believe the Scriptures are inspired by God and able to equip for acts of service.
The Church
We believe the church represents the authority of God on earth. We believe the church exists to show direction to those who are lost. We believe in salvation, as a way of expanding God's kingdom.
Partners
YWAM Athi River
YWAM is called to make God known throughout, and into every arena of society, through evangelism, training, and mercy ministries. YWAM believes that salvation of souls should result in the transformation of societies, thus obeying Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations. YWAM is committed to knowing God — His nature, His character, His ways — and seeks to reflect who He is in every aspect of life and ministry. YWAM runs Discipleship Training Schools (DTS) and other schools at bases across the globe; the DTS runs for six months (three months of lectures, three months of outreach), and prospective students can choose a YWAM base of their choice.
In Kenya, YWAM runs a DTS at YWAM Athi River, 50 km from Nairobi in Machakos County. The motto of YWAM Athi River is: Declare Christ, Disciple the believers, Develop the community. The vision of YWAM is to be a model missionary community of Christian excellence and integrity, embracing a holistic approach for the transformation of society in the region and beyond. The mission statement: to provide an environment where believers grow and flourish in their gifting and calling through training; to positively impact the immediate community by providing academic, emotional, and spiritual growth resulting in social wellbeing; to source microfinance to foster entrepreneurship, alleviate poverty, and enhance food security; and to eradicate social vices through redemption measures.
WMK is a ministry of YWAM Athi River and adheres to its principles and values.
Wildfire Ministries USA
WMK was founded by a team of missionaries led by Joram Kingori (YWAM Athi River) and inspired by Pastor John Mills of Wildfire Ministries USA. After frequent visits to the Pokot region, Joram shared his vision with many people, including Pastor Mills, who motivated him to a bold step of faith to help the Pokot community.
Wildfire Ministries USA has supported WMK's work with in-kind donations, including a PA system unit (speakers, mixer, and microphone), a projector, and a power inverter — along with the time and finances of volunteers including Brenden and Kirstin Mills and Andrew. Through Pastor Mills, Wildfire Ministries USA also helps support a few pastors serving in Pokot with a monthly upkeep.
PEFA
WMK partners with PEFA to help plant as many churches as possible in Pokot. With the help of WMK and Wildfire Ministries USA, a PEFA church was planted at Kakleshon to cater for the spiritual needs of the growing population in the area.
A volunteer’s perspective
My name is Andrew Beduhn. I am a youth pastor at a church in Morrice, Michigan, called Wildfire Ministries. Back in September of 2013, I had an opportunity to go to West Pokot with the YWAM staff. The time I spent there was nothing short of amazing.
While we were there, we spent the mornings getting to know the Pokot people, and at night was when we ran our movie ministry. While we were there, I could see God moving in some incredible ways in all of our lives. Their want and desire to learn about God more and more was an absolute blessing to see. One thing you will see while you are there is a bunch of smiles.
One of the biggest things that hit me while I was there was that, while in America, we pursue a life of our wants more than our needs, and we can never be happy — we want one thing, then in one week it's old news and on to something else, never being happy, satisfied, grateful, or blessed for what we have. Yet while in the Pokot region you see hardship, the poorest, sickness, and little food, but you see a sincere smile. You see joyfulness, happiness, and peace. You see gratefulness, but most importantly, you see love.
I can promise you that if you are somewhat thinking about going on a trip to the Pokot area, do it. It will change your life forever.
— Andrew Beduhn
Support the work in Lomut
If you’d like to know more before you give, we’d welcome hearing from you — see the contact page for the field office’s email and phone numbers.
Give to the work