Dear Friends,
In just a couple of months, Patty and I will reach a milestone
– 30 years ago this May, we were appointed as RCA
missionaries. It’s hard to believe! But we feel honored to
serve God and his church around the world in this way.
We have worked in several countries: Oman, Sudan,
Ethiopia and now Kenya. We have teamed up with several
fine international partners and have been involved in
numerous activities and projects – all thanks to your faithful
prayer and financial support. And a special word of
gratitude goes to those of you who have increased your
pledge for 2012. Our budget is still struggling under the
economic downturn, but every addition helps in the long
run as we continue to minister on your behalf.
As I look back at the mission opportunities we have filled,
I realize that my primary ministry has been theological
education. And most of that has been teaching others
about Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. Virtually all of
my students have been Christians, especially African
church leaders. Why would they want to study the complexities
of Islamic history, theology, and law, and how
Christians can relate with Muslims who are often so different?
Let me share with you just one case study among
my current ICMR students: Adama, a pastor from the
Lutheran Church of Senegal in West Africa.
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA GLOBAL MISSION • 4500 60TH STREET SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49512
(800) 968-3943 • www.rca.org/mission
RCA Missionary Update
from the Fords
St. Paul’s University in Limuru, Kenya, is an international
and ecumenical institution that prepares
men and women for ministry in the Christian
church and in society. Founded in 1903 as a
divinity school, St. Paul’s recently expanded to
become a Christian university.
Peter teaches courses on the Arabic language, the
Qur’an, Islamic history, and other Islam-related
topics in the post-graduate program in Islam and
Christian-Muslim Relations (ICMR) at St. Paul’s
University. He also works with students on a
personal level to help them develop appropriate
attitudes toward the ministry of engaging with
Muslims, and to teach others to do the same.
Patty helps to coordinate the Satellite Diploma
Program at St. Paul’s, so that several outlying
Bible schools can offer a Diploma in Theology
under the supervision of St. Paul’s University.
MINISTRY
Theological Education
LOCATION
Limuru, Kenya
PARTNER
St. Paul’s University
CONTACT
Peter and Patty Ford
St. Paul’s University
P.O. Private Bag 00217
Limuru, Kenya
Email: pford@softhome.net
LEARN MORE AT
www.rca.org/pford
• Population: 33,829,600
• Size: 582,646 square kilometers
(slightly smaller than
Texas)
• Major religions: 70 percent
Christian, 20 percent Muslim,
10 percent indigenous and
other beliefs
Kenya facts:
April 2012
Adama was born into a Muslim family, and he grew up in
a country where 90% of the population is Muslim.
Although most Senegalese are rather strict about maintaining
one’s original religion, Adama’s tribe was more
tolerant of members converting from one faith to another.
So when Adama’s older brother was invited to a Christian
youth camp where he accepted Christ, it was no big deal
to his parents. Adama was influenced by his brother’s
change in lifestyle, and also by the beautiful music of the
nearby church choir. At 13, he also gave his life to Jesus.
Since the Lutheran Church of Senegal has no seminary in
its own country, Adama went on to earn his Bachelor in
Theology in the nearby country of Benin. He became
especially interested in his church’s involvement in
Christian-Muslim relations, and he focused his Bachelor
thesis on that topic. After working several years as a pastor
back in Senegal, his church asked him to pursue his
MA in ICMR here at St. Paul’s University. With support
from the Lutheran World Federation, Adama left his family
and parish behind in order to study in our program. He
joined five other students from Kenya and Tanzania to
form the 2011-2012 year one ICMR class. I have had the
privilege of teaching him courses in Qur’anic Arabic
(both semesters), Islam in Africa, and the Hadith
Literature. Under my colleague, Willem Jansen from the
Netherlands, he studied Introduction to the Islam, the
Qur’an, and currently Islamic Theology. He’s also taking a
course in Christian-Muslim Relations from an adjunct lecturer
from Ghana.
Next year Adama will prepare his MA thesis, doing
research both in Senegal and here at St. Paul’s. He would
like to investigate further why his own church has been
just about the only denomination involved with Christian-
Muslim relations in his country, and how the many other
local denominations can be encouraged to participate in
an ecumenical partnership. Since the Christian population
is small in Senegal, he hopes to find ways in which they
can work together to live out the love of Christ in word
and deed among their Muslim neighbors. When he
returns to full-time ministry back home, Adama will work
within his own church as a pastor, teacher and advocate
for positive Christian-Muslim relations. He will reach out
to Muslim leaders, using the knowledge he is gaining
here, to find ways of living together peacefully while also
creating avenues for respectful Christian witness. But he
will also reach out to his fellow Christians in other
denominations to help bring them on board with this
most important venture.
To access extensive information about
the Fords, or to make a financial gift for their
ministry, simply go to www.rca.org/pford.
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Global Mission be a good steward of your gifts? To sign up, contact Eva Fennema at (800) 968-3943 or efennema@rca.org.
I have the privilege of helping Adama acquire the knowledge
and skills that will enable him to embark on a lifetime
of crucial ministry in this field. Not all of my students
have gone on into significant ICMR work. But many have,
in Sudan (both north and south), Ethiopia, and in several
other parts of Africa. One of my greatest rewards is to hear
from them about how their studies have helped them to
develop significant ministries among Muslims, and to train
other Christian leaders to become involved in this kind of
service for the kingdom of God. You who are supporting
churches and individuals have participated in this important
task. I hope that you can also share in some of the joy
that I have, of being involved in a small way in the global
mission of our Reformed Church in America.
For Christ and his kingdom,
Peter, Patty and Andrew
Peter and Adama (next to him) with the other first-year
ICMR students and Rev. Jansen, in front of the new
educational building at St. Paul’s University.
Adama consulting Peter in his office.
