Fear and the Missionary Mandate: A Missiological Analysis of Barriers to Christian Witness Among Somali Muslims in Eastleigh, Nairobi

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between fear and the gap between missionary mandate and missional practice among the African Inland Church (A.I.C.) The church's missionary mandate to proclaim the gospel to all peoples faces significant barriers in contexts where Christians live in proximity to Muslim communities. Christians in Nairobi Central Region, Kenya, focus on evangelistic work among Somali Muslims in Eastleigh. Employing qualitative ethnographic research methods, including semi-structured interviews with twelve church leaders and members across three A.I.C. congregations (A.I.C. Ziwani, A.I.C. Ngara, and A.I.C. Eastleigh Section III), the paper addresses The paper examines fears that hinder Christian witness to Somali Muslims in Eastleigh, the gap between the church's missionary mandate and actual evangelistic practice, and missiological frameworks for overcoming these barriers and enabling faithful Christian witness Drawing on missiological theories of power encounter, risk-taking witness, and contextualized discipleship, the paper argues that fear operates as a systemic barrier at individual, communal, and institutional levels, creating a disconnect between the church's theological affirmations about mission and its practical engagement with neighboring Muslim communities. The paper proposes an integrated missiological response that addresses spiritual formation, contextualised training, ecclesial support structures, and power encounters, enabling Christians to move from fear to faithful witness. Addressing fear will foster more contextually informed, relationally sensitive, and responsible Christian witness.