The Roland Allen Post

This post links to the five ministry partners our group will come alongside when we visit Kenya in November: Nairobi Chapel Logos Christian Schools The Living Room Hospital  (The Living Room is about 200 miles northwest of Nairobi, in the Rift Valley.) Mauvuno Church Bawa Hope  (Support for marginalized artisans.)

Today was the first Kenya team meeting at Mariners Church. I appreciated the way the leader framed this trip - not as a missions trip, but as a faith adventure. We were encouraged to see it as a narrative rather than an event. An event happens once and is over. A narrative is an ongoing conversation, one where we keep listening for how God is speaking. He also spoke about the importance of relationships - with one another as a team, and with the people we'll meet in Africa. We were reminded that God works through relationships: when God sees a problem, He sends a person. That's exactly what He did when He sent Jesus to address our sin problem. This trip, then, is ministry with people, not to people. We were encouraged to view this faith adventure through a global lens rather than an Orange County one. Our leader, Christian Mungai, is an African missionary to Orange County - a reversal of the direction we usually picture missions moving. He talked about how we are all equal in...

  I was commissioned as a Shepherding Elder at Mariners Church in June. Prayer is an important part of serving as an Elder. I pray for people and their expressed needs, including praying for healing and, when appropriate, anointing people with oil, following the teaching in James 5:13–16. Around that same time, I read J. P. Moreland’s A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles . The book challenged me to expect and look for God’s active, miraculous involvement in everyday life, rather than treating prayer simply as an exercise. Moreland observes that people in other cultures often have a much greater expectation that God will respond to prayer. That idea prompted me to seek an opportunity to experience a different perspective on faith and prayer. Fortunately, Mariners offered a Faith Experience trip to Kenya, and I signed up. I am now committed to traveling to Kenya with a team from Mariners Church this November. I’m looking forward to seeing what God will do, learning from the p...

 As I think about going to Kenya - this quote from The Fellowship of the Rings made me chuckle: “It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien 

Dear Friends and Family, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to share an exciting opportunity that has recently come my way and to invite you to join me in prayer as I prepare for a Faith Adventure to Kenya with Mariners Church this November. For more than 15 years, Mariners Church has partnered with churches and ministries in Kenya, including Nairobi Chapel and Mavuno Church. Over the years, these relationships have grown into something much deeper than a series of projects. Mariners has had the privilege of learning from our Kenyan brothers and sisters, supporting their work, and walking alongside them as they serve their communities. I am especially excited about this trip because it gives me the opportunity not simply to visit Kenya, but to listen, learn, serve, and deepen these relationships. I expect that I will come home having learned so much from our Kenyan partners. During the Faith Adventure, we will experience the vision of Mariners’ Kenyan partners and have opp...

 To make this Faith Adventure possible, I am asking for your prayerful and financial support. Your generosity will help cover the costs of travel, accommodations, and other expenses associated with my participation. More importantly, I would be grateful to have you journey with me through your prayers and encouragement. If you feel led to support this opportunity, there are two ways you can participate: Give. Financial contributions can be made using this link: https://rock.marinerschurch.org/page/472 When you reach the page: Select November 13–24, 2026 Kenya under Fundraising Opportunity. Select Roland Allen from the dropdown menu. Click Next.   You may also send a check made payable to Mariners Church, with my name and “FA Kenya” in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to: ℅ Keelyn Dennis  Global Partnership Director  5001 Newport Coast Drive  Irvine, CA 92603  Please know that I will not see the amount of any individual contribution. All gifts are proce...