The Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC) began as an association of Kamba Christian men in 1942. During that era, forming associations like the Akamba Union, Kikuyu Association Union, and North Kavirondo in South Nyanza was common practice. These groups typically addressed social, economic, and political problems. What made the association that later birthed ABC unique was its strictly Christian membership requirement. It was an interdenominational body, uniting Christians from various backgrounds, including AIM, Baptist, Salvation Army, Catholic, and Anglican denominations.
A Focus on Faith, Not Politics:
Right from the beginning, the association’s aim was purely spiritual, deliberately steering clear of politics. The Christian Union members refused to engage in political discussions within their meetings. This focus led them to write to the municipal native affairs officer in Nairobi, applying for a name change to omit the potentially political term “union.” On August 14, 1943, the name was officially changed to the Akamba Christian Brotherhood (ACB).
Initial Mission and Structure
The original purpose of the association was to assist the specific needs of the various denominations its members came from. This included providing financial resources to help erect church buildings and support pastors and evangelists. A Provincial Committee comprising 14 members was established to provide essential leadership and management:
Financial management and oversight.
Welfare of leaders.
Development of the association’s constitution.
Preparation of a member register.
Holding regular meetings to discuss association affairs.
Growth and Formalization
In 1944, the association navigated through a political and financial crisis. Suspicions arose that the association harbored a secret political agenda. A government investigation quickly resolved this issue, confirming that the ACB’s motives and activities were purely religious.
Financial Stability and Inclusion
In June 1944, the provincial committee addressed its financial struggles by introducing innovative fundraising strategies:
Members began contributing 20 cents into a “small box” during every meeting.
Women were officially permitted to register as members and soon became the majority of the ACB membership.
An annual subscription and registration fees were formalized.
A system for a voluntary year-end thanksgiving offering was introduced.
These strategies successfully strengthened the association’s financial resources.
The Birth of the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC)
On April 8th, 1945, the association changed its name from the Akamba Christian Brotherhood (ACB) to the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC), establishing itself as a fully functional church equal to any other denomination in Kenya.
This pivotal name change was driven by three main reasons:
Inclusivity: The membership had grown to include members from various Kenyan tribes.
National Identity: To effectively build its financial base and administer church functions nationally, it was vital for ACB to establish itself as a national, non-tribal institution.
Independence: Members of the ACB had been denied church positions and lost jobs because of their association membership, prompting the leadership to establish an independent church body.
ABC Today
Today, ABC has grown exponentially from its humble fellowship roots in 1945. It is now home to over 1,000 congregations spread across East and Central Africa, Southern Africa, and even Finland.
