A Hunger for God's Word

In rural Kenya, women from different churches are coming together to deepen their understanding of Scripture, grow as leaders, and pass their faith to the next generation.

What happens when women develop such a desire to understand God's Word that they begin learning to read so they can study the Bible for themselves?

That's exactly what is happening among women connected to the Women Discipleship and Leadership Development program in Kenya.

Through our partnership with Elyon Women Initiatives, Rise Up Woman International is walking alongside a discipleship initiative equipping church women leaders and emerging leaders in Kajiado County with biblical knowledge and leadership skills.

And the women are putting what they're learning into practice.

In August, 26 women from several different church backgrounds gathered in Tinga for two days of biblical training. Representing a variety of churches and denominations, the women came together around a shared desire to grow in their faith.

The sessions explored foundational Christian doctrines, including the person of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and the role of the Church.

Rather than simply listening to lectures, participants studied Scripture together, engaged in group discussions, shared personal experiences, and asked questions about how biblical teachings apply to their lives and churches.

One particularly meaningful activity invited each woman to identify her spiritual gifts by writing her name inside a building block drawn on a chart. Together, the blocks represented the body of Christ and the unique role each believer plays within the Church.

But one of the most encouraging developments is happening beyond the training sessions.

At Rimpa Baptist Church, women have begun meeting every Wednesday for literacy classes, motivated by their desire to read the Bible independently.

Their initiative reflects the heart of this discipleship program: women growing in their understanding of Scripture and taking steps to continue learning.

Throughout 2026, Elyon Women Initiatives has been building this foundation through a series of training sessions focused on biblical doctrine, spiritual growth, and leadership development. In April, Rise Up Woman International joined Elyon for a four-day training that provided participants with an overview of the Bible.

The program is built around three priorities: deepening discipleship, equipping leaders, and nurturing future generations.

Looking ahead, the women are scheduled to gather again in November for additional training focused on Christian transformation and practical leadership within their families, businesses, and local churches.

The vision extends far beyond the women attending these gatherings.

As women grow in their understanding of God's Word and develop their leadership abilities, they are being equipped to share what they learn with their children, churches, and communities.

And for the women now gathering each Wednesday to learn to read, that journey is already taking a meaningful step forward.

Because when women are equipped to grow in their faith, they are also equipped to help nurture the faith of generations to come.