Discipleship and Maturity: Notes from Eldoret
When we talk about simplicity, we often describe it as presence over program and relationship over structure. In Eldoret, Kenya, that reality came alive in beautiful, tangible ways.
Key Takeaways
Discipleship is for everyone—not just pastors or church leaders. Every believer is called to help others grow in Christ.
Spiritual maturity happens in everyday places—through relationships, obedience, and the slow work of the Spirit, not just events or classes.
Raising up leaders requires time and trust. Victor’s journey from greeter to pastor over 13 years shows the fruit of long-term investment and community discipleship.
Resources for multiplication matter. Tools like the one-year discipleship journey and leadership guides equip churches to grow and reproduce simply.
The hunger for growth is global. What’s happening in Eldoret reflects a broader movement of Spirit-led believers seeking to live out their faith in ordinary, powerful ways.
Simple churches can multiply deeply. With the right support, relational leadership, and the Spirit’s guidance, even rural or resource-limited communities can raise strong leaders and plant new expressions of church.
Last weekend, leaders from two of Pastor Margaret Maheri’s congregations gathered to grow together around one theme: maturity in Christ. For many, this wasn’t a new idea—but the Spirit gave it fresh weight. We talked about what it means to move beyond knowing about Jesus to becoming more like Him in the everyday places of life—at home, in the marketplace, and in the community.
On Sunday, the church gathered to hear about the call to make disciples. We shared how this commission isn’t reserved for pastors or missionaries—it belongs to all of us. Every believer is invited into the life-long rhythm of learning from Jesus and walking with others as they do the same.
That message hit home for me in a personal way as I spent time with Victor, Pastor Margaret’s son-in-law. Nearly 13 years ago, when I first met him, Victor was serving faithfully as an Usher at the church door in Langas—warm, humble, and welcoming. Today, he and his wife are pastoring one of the seven churches Margaret oversees. What I saw this weekend was no longer just the smile of a servant—but the heart of a shepherd. His growth didn’t come from a classroom or a conference. It came through faithfulness, discipleship, and community—and it’s bearing fruit.
Who around me is quietly growing, waiting to be invited deeper into leadership?
Who in your own community is ready for that same next step?
Throughout the weekend, Pastor Margaret and I had extended time together talking about leadership development and preparing the next generation who are already beginning to carry the weight of ministry. Her passion for raising up new leaders is deeply rooted in her lived experience—leaders like Victor who have grown up in the soil of simplicity, service, and spiritual maturity.
To help fuel this next season of growth, I introduced her to several training and discipleship resources we’ve made available through Simplicity Church Network. These include:
A one-year discipleship journey for small groups and families
A suite of individual spiritual formation tools
Simple leadership development guides for emerging leaders and church planters
All of these tools are now available for download at:
https://simplicitychurchnetwork.com/resources
What stood out most in Eldoret wasn’t the content—it was the hunger. You could see it in their questions, in the worship, and in the way leaders lingered long after we finished—praying with one another, opening their Bibles, encouraging the younger ones.
This is the heartbeat of Simplicity Church Network: helping ordinary believers live extraordinary lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. Whether in Kenya, Kansas, or anywhere else, the invitation is the same—to grow up in Christ and multiply what He’s doing in us into the lives of others.
“We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”
—Colossians 1:28
Want to Multiply This in Your Community?
Invite a few people to walk through the Discipleship Journey together.
Look for the “Victors” around you—people quietly growing, ready to lead.
Use the Leadership Development Guides to equip someone to start a new group or spiritual conversation space.
All of these free resources are available here:
https://simplicitychurchnetwork.com/resources
What’s happening in Eldoret is just one expression of a larger movement—a growing family of believers learning to live simply, love deeply, and follow the Spirit into the everyday places of life. It’s not about replicating a model. It’s about releasing the presence of Jesus—right where people already are.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the main focus of the work in Eldoret, Kenya?
The focus is on encouraging spiritual maturity, equipping leaders for discipleship, and helping local churches grow through simple, Spirit-led practices rooted in everyday life.
2. Who is Pastor Margaret Maheri?
Pastor Margaret Maheri is a Kenyan church planter who has been faithfully leading and multiplying churches in rural and underserved communities for over 25 years.
3. Who is Victor, and why is his story significant?
Victor is Pastor Margaret’s son-in-law. Thirteen years ago, he served as a church usher. Today, he and his wife pastor one of the seven churches Margaret oversees. His story reflects the fruit of relational discipleship and long-term investment.
4. What resources were shared with the churches in Eldoret?
Carl introduced a one-year discipleship journey, personal spiritual formation tools, and simple leadership development guides—all available for free at simplicitychurchnetwork.com/resources
5. How can I use these resources in my own church or group?
You can download and adapt the resources for small groups, family discipleship, leadership training, or launching new simple churches. They’re designed to be flexible, reproducible, and Spirit-led.
6. Can this model work outside of Kenya?
Yes! The Simplicity Church Network model is designed for any context—urban, rural, cross-cultural, or digital. It’s about carrying the presence of Jesus into everyday spaces, not replicating a program.
7. How can I get involved or support this work?
You can explore resources, start a front porch movement in your own community, or support future global equipping trips through prayer, partnership, or giving. Visit simplicitychurchnetwork.com to learn more.
