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Patrick Musembi, youth coordinator for the Kenyan Evangelical Lutheran Church (KELC), discusses the church’s National Youth Rally, which met Aug. 19-23 under the theme “Rooted in Christ, Growing to Transform the World” (from Colossians 2:6-7). The event brought together hundreds of young adults from Kenya and across Africa to worship, build relationships and explore their roles in transforming the church and society. Musembi’s reflections highlight the creativity, leadership, hopes and challenges of young African Christians while offering insight into the work happening alongside young people in the church. This interview is part of a larger effort to foster relationship building, visibility, storytelling and spaces for voices to be heard in hope of strengthening connections across the global Lutheran church.
Can you tell us about the youth rally? What was its vision and what inspired the KELC to bring together hundreds of young people from Kenya and across Africa?
For me, the KELC youth ally was really about bringing young people together to grow in their faith, build relationships and discover their role in transforming the church and society. We wanted to create a space where young people could worship together, learn from each other, share their experiences and also have fun. One thing that motivated us was the conviction that young people are not just the future of the church; they are the church today. We wanted them to feel that they belong, that their voices matter and that they have an important role to play in shaping the church.
Why was the rally theme especially meaningful for young people and the church today?
I found this theme very relevant because young people today are exposed to so many different influences, and they need a strong foundation to guide their decisions and their lives. Being rooted in Christ means having a foundation from which we can grow and face the challenges around us. At the same time, the theme challenged our young people not just to grow personally but to use their faith, talents and gifts to transform their communities.
What are you hearing from young people about their hopes, concerns and needs—both within the church and in their communities?
One of the strongest messages I hear from young people is that they want opportunities to grow and become independent, particularly through education, skills development, employment and entrepreneurship. They are also concerned about mental health, relationships, unemployment, climate change, technology and the pressure that comes with social media. Within the church, they want to be listened to and given genuine opportunities to participate in leadership and decision-making. What I appreciate is that they are not simply presenting problems; they are also coming forward with ideas and a willingness to be part of the solutions.
How are young people already leading and shaping the ministry of the KELC?
I think young people are already doing much more than we sometimes recognize. They are involved in worship, evangelism, music, sports, environmental activities, community outreach, leadership and many other areas of church life. Through the KELC Youth Department, we are trying to create more opportunities for them to develop their leadership and use their gifts. The rally itself was a good example because young people were not just participants; they were involved in organizing, leading activities, sharing ideas and creating the atmosphere of the event.
What do you wish churches outside of Africa understood about young African Christians and the ways they are shaping the future of the church?
I would like churches outside Africa to see young African Christians as partners and leaders, not simply as people who need support. Our young people are creative, energetic, deeply committed to their faith and very passionate about making a difference in their communities. They are also thinking about issues such as climate justice, human rights, technology, unemployment and social justice. I believe the global church has a lot to learn from their faith, resilience, creativity and commitment to community.
As part of the global Lutheran family, what opportunities do you see for young people in Kenya and the United States to learn from and build relationships with one another?
I see a lot of potential for young people in Kenya and the United States to build genuine friendships and learn from one another. This could happen through youth exchanges, online conversations, joint Bible studies, leadership programs, cultural exchanges and even working together on community projects. Young people can share how they experience faith and respond to issues such as climate change, mental health, human rights, technology and community development. For me, the most important thing is creating relationships where young people can meet each other not just as partners in a program but as friends and fellow Christians.
What does meaningful partnership between the KELC and the ELCA look like to you? What kinds of relationships would be most valuable to your youth and your church?
For me, meaningful partnership goes beyond funding; it is about relationships, trust, mutual learning and walking together. We would really value opportunities for young people and leaders from the KELC and the ELCA to meet, share experiences, learn from each other and develop joint initiatives. Areas such as leadership development, climate justice, technology, human rights, entrepreneurship, mental health and youth ministry could provide very meaningful opportunities for collaboration. Ultimately I would like to see a partnership where both sides recognize that we have something to give and something to learn from each other.
When you look at the many young people who gathered for this rally, what gives you hope about the future of the KELC, in Africa and around the world?
What gives me the most hope is what I personally saw in those young people: their faith, energy, creativity and desire to serve. Seeing around 600 young people gathered together, worshiping, learning, sharing and celebrating their faith gave me a strong sense that the church has a very promising future. They are asking important questions, and they want to be part of finding solutions to the challenges facing both the church and society. My hope is that we will continue to listen to them, mentor them, trust them with responsibility, and create spaces where they can lead and help shape the future of the Lutheran church.
About Patrick Musembi
Patrick Musembi is youth coordinator for the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church (KELC), where he is passionate about creating spaces for young people to grow in faith, discover their gifts and take an active role in transforming their communities. With a background in education, youth leadership and community engagement, he brings a practical and people-centered approach to youth ministry. In his role, he works with young people across the KELC to strengthen leadership, participation, fellowship and service. He believes that young people are not merely the future of the church but an essential part of the church today. His work is rooted in the conviction that when young people are listened to, mentored, trusted and given opportunities to lead, they can become powerful agents of positive change in the church, their communities and the wider world.
