The Synod of the RCUS has long affirmed that the purpose of the Foreign Ministries Committee is to train pastors in foreign lands, equipping them to become self-governing, self-perpetuating, and self-supporting. Historically, providing
direct financial support to pastors and churches has proven ineffective. Rather than expanding the number of congregations, this approach often led to stagnation or decline, as fewer churches meant more funds for individual pastors.
Additionally, it inadvertently encouraged some to pursue pastoral roles for financial gain. For a deeper exploration of these challenges, refer to The Planting and Development of Missionary Churches by John L. Nevius (1899) or When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.
Efforts toward self-sufficiency, such as the Congo Economic Development Fund, have met with mixed success. Four years ago, we notified the United Reformed Church in the Congo (URCC) and the Reformed Fellowship Church of Kenya (RFCK) of a 25% reduction in funding for elder, pastor, and church support, providing time for these ministries to transition toward independence. Below is an overview of the initiatives underway in Kenya.
