Opponents of Kenya’s new constitution gracefully conceded defeat and are now working toward making the best of the situation.

Voters approved the draft by over two-thirds of eligible voters. Church leaders are still raising questions about anomalies found in the run up to and during the polling process. However, Higher Education Minister William Ruto said despite concerns that the “no” camp would revolt, “It is necessary to create a win-win for the country.”

Among the most vocal opponents of the draft constitution is the Christian community. Craig Dyer with Bright Hope International says, “The Christian leaders have a really good perspective in Kenya, saying ‘there’s not everything that we would like in this, but we’re willing to go with it and work from here.’ It’s something that we’re not going to fight against, but it’s something that we’ll accept, and we’ll get back to building a better Kenya.”

How the new constitution will affect ministry opportunities is yet to be seen. It plays a key role in the power-sharing deal created to end the Rift Valley violence which erupted after the 2007 election.

If implemented as written, it takes power from the presidency and creates a more decentralized political system. Other concerns were a provision for abortion-on-demand as well as the inclusion of Islamic Cadi courts, which address family issues for Muslims.

Now that the country decided to adopt this framework, church leaders are hoping the government will address the most divisive issues that caused them to oppose the draft charter. Dyer says, “I’m prayerful that this is a positive thing: that the church can still be the church, speak out about abortion, hold firm, and have positive impact upon people’s lives.”

So far, things have remained peaceful. Dyer says that allows them to continue to work in spite of concerns that special religious concessions in the constitution can be read in a way that could restrict religious freedoms.

Challenges to their team aren’t unusual. Bright Hope envisions a world where under-resourced, indigenous churches transform their communities and bring the hope of the Gospel to the extreme poor.

Dyer explains, “We’re constantly battling to feed kids in the slum areas, to provide jobs and job training, and find them viable employment where they can lift themselves out of poverty.”

Bright Hope has three projects in Kenya. They are the Mathare Valley Slum, the Nguluni Resource Center, and a sponsorship program for the refugee children in Nairobi.

The Mathare Valley Slum holds more than half a million people. The Project is a joint effort of Outreach Community Church and Mathare Community Outreach.

The Nguluni Resource Center and the Church have made huge strides in providing for basic physical and spiritual needs in the community. Clean water, a small clinic, and the ability to hire and keep good teachers have increased the health and hope of families here.

The Sponsorship Program for Refugee Children in Nairobi provides school fees, uniforms, textbooks, and other supplies to encourage children to attend and to thrive in school.

Through it all, Bright Hope comes alongside partners and makes sure they’re resourced for ministry. The team sees their work as a constantly changing ministry. “People need to learn more, they need to grow in their faith, and they need to study the Word of God. We’re constantly seeing our leaders challenged to understand the Word of God and to be preaching the whole Gospel.”

For more information visit Bright Hope International