Participants follow proceedings during the second Difference Makers Conference in Nairobi, August 7, 2025.The church is being urged to step up as a moral compass for society and steer clear of political manipulation.
Speaking at the second Difference Makers Conference (DMC) in Nairobi, a section of evangelical leaders cautioned peers against pandering to politicians who arrive at the altar bearing large donations, insisting the pulpit must remain anchored in the authority of Scripture rather than the influence of money and power.
Echoes of Mercy Mission President Bishop Moses Odhiambo said the church’s mandate from God includes providing oversight to the nation’s leadership.
“The church has been given a mandate by God to oversee leadership, and one of the things we are doing here is to equip pastors so they can have the authority to go out into their communities to provide quality leadership that brings change,” he said.
“We are raising leaders in our churches who are entrusted with offices, but sometimes we face corruption and other things that break society. We hope that as the church refocuses on its role, it can be a place where peace and unity are cultivated. We need a nation where people fear God and love God — no conversation about tribe, only one tribe, the tribe of one Kenya, our nation.”
Visiting American pastor Johnny Hunt echoed the call for moral leadership, emphasising that the church can work alongside the state without compromising its mission.
“We believe the church can work hand-in-hand with the government in making a difference,” he said.
“Coming from the United States, I have been honoured to be invited by President Donald Trump to serve on a prayer committee to counsel him. I had to decline the offer because of my schedule, but it blessed me to know that presidents have called the Billy Grahams of this world to their office in times of trouble. We want to have a great relationship even in times of peace because we know the Prince of Peace — and we can help.”
For the youth, the message was clear: take ownership of your destiny and refuse to be used for political ends.
“We need to be influencers of change, to inspire and drive impact from a position of the Bible and not any other space. When we have politics involved, the church should take a stand on what the Bible says. Regardless of culture, the Bible stands tall," said Moses Githinji, Youth Chair of the Evangelicals Alliance of Kenya.
He said that the young people should bring change, not necessarily by going to the streets, "but by making impact through conferences like this one locally in Kenya, continentally in Africa, and in the global space.”
The DMC drew more than 800 preachers from across the country for sessions focused on empowering congregations, amplifying their voice in society, and shifting away from a narrow prosperity gospel.
Organisers said the teachings underscored community empowerment alongside a return to the Bible as the foundation for ministry — a theme central to Echoes of Mercy Mission’s work.
