Our Identity

The African Divine Church traces its origins to 1947, when Bishop Saul Chabuga and a small company of believers in Western Kenya began meeting for prayer, Bible study, and evangelism. Convicted that God was calling them to establish a genuinely African church, they stepped out in faith, planting the first congregations and ordaining the first pastors.

The early years were marked by rapid growth, deep dependence on God, and considerable sacrifice. Preachers travelled on foot and by bicycle to remote villages; churches met under trees and in homes; members contributed labour, food, and meagre funds to build the first simple structures. Through it all, the Lord honoured their faith, and congregations multiplied across Western Kenya and into Nyanza, Rift Valley, and beyond.

As the church expanded, so did its institutions. ADC established Schools, Clinics, and Theological training centres to equip both members and the wider community. The headquarters at Boyani - Gamalenga in Vihiga County became a centre of worship, learning, and administration, hosting annual conferences that gathered thousands of believers for teaching, fellowship, and mission.

Today, more than six decades since its founding, ADC continues to grow. New branches are planted, new leaders are trained and ordained, and new ministries are launched to address the changing needs of society. Yet through every season, the church returns to its founding vision: to be a faithful, indigenous, and Christ-centred church serving the people of Kenya and beyond.

Historical Background of ADC

African Divine Church split from Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in 1947 due to leadership wrangles. In December 1947, Zachariah Oyiengo, Pastor of Boma Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, was transferred to Itovo by the then missionary of PAOC, Morison. Oyiengo was replaced by Jacob Ananda as the Pastor of Gamalenga Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada in 1948. Jacob was rejected by Gamalenga assembly as their pastor on the grounds that he had married from Gamalenga and that he was a foreigner from Bunyore. Morison maintained his stand of appointing Ananda as pastor of Gamalenga and said that he was not going to replace him with any other person. Morison went to Gamalenga assembly and chased away those who had objected to his appointment of Ananda.

At that time, Saul Chabuga was the local Chairman of Gamalenga Assembly. After being chased, Saul and his followers went and started worshiping near Peter Tsobi and Aineah Senge’s farm. The worship centre was given the name Boyani Pentecost “B” in 1948. When Morison heard of Boyani Pentecost “B”, he went and reported Saul Chabuga and his followers to the police and accused them of being members of Dini ya Musambwa, allegedly associated with idol worship. Following these allegations, Saul was arrested and afterwards released but was to report to the police every month as he was being monitored for one year.

After his probation, the police handed Saul Chabuga to the then District Commissioner, Mr. Hunter, of Kakamega who also monitored him and his church for a period of nine months in 1949. After his probation, Hunter called Saul to Kakamega and told him to go with somebody who understood English. Saul took with him Silas Asembeka Were and Mr. Hunter told Silas and Saul to write the constitution, the name of their church, their address and to look for a place for worship. After being told this, the two went back home and met other elders to do as they had been instructed by Mr. Hunter. The elders present included the following: Chabuga Saul, Hezekiah Ludenyo, Zablon Mugunda, Silas Asembeka, Kefla Adoli, Joash Ombiri, Chrispo Bodohi, Alfred Mwanzu, Soloistmon Sote, Absalom Andiva, Peter Asige, Henry Mboku, Jotham Kichamu, Albert Chaguga, Nathan Malongo, Hezron Otina and Ayub Were.Following the permission of Mr. Hunter to Saul to look for the name, and place of worship, ADC was then founded officially in December 1949 by Saul Chabuga as the first Archbishop.

Origin of the Name ADC

The name “African Divine Church” was picked from the book of John 15:1-17 in 1950 concerning the true vine. This is because, ADC is compared to the vine tree that grows and bears fruits. Similarly ADC is meant to grow geographically and bear fruits numerically. Also since it was the vision of the founder, it has to be propagated by his successors. In the same year, the address of the church 907 Kisumu, the plot for the church and the constitution were founded. This means if it had its foundation on the leaders, it would have collapsed with the death of Saul Chabuga. ADC members believe that the church has a biblical foundation hence, those who break from ADC Boyani headquarters do not succeed. According to the ADC Constitution of 1950, the key leaders of ADC then included the following: Bishop Saul Chabuga (Patron), Silas Aseneka (Secretary), Ezekiel Muhindi (Minister), Joash Ombiri (President), Soloistmon Muganda (Senior Pastor) PastorSoloistmon Sote (Pastor), Jason Ago (Treasurer) and Jason Derwa (Elder).

Plot for the Church

The headquarter of ADC is located at Gamalenga Sub-location, Tambua Location Tiriki West Division in Hamisi District. It is to the right along Kakamega-Kisumu highway. The plot for Boyani ADC was under the community ownership or it was no man’s land before it was officially given to the church. The above seven leaders approached Chief of Nyang’ori, Antonio Kipketeri and requested him to give them the plot, which he accepted.

On his acceptance, the plot became the property of ADC. Mr. Hunter confirmed their meeting of the requirements and went to Nairobi to register ADC with the registrar of societies. The DC gave them permission to continue with their worship under the name African Divine Church. At this time, they met opposition from Morison, PAOC missionary, who referred to them asDini ya Musambwa, (the idol worshippers).

Apart from the above eighty men, there were also women who played an important role in spreading African Divine Church and spent most of their time in prayer. These women included:Rodah Atsikoyo, Salome Milenja, Elia Angano, Esther Mugono, Peninah Kasindaha, Susan Budembu, Tereza Emenya, Rabecca Kadaga, Martha Agosa, Naomi Alivitsa, Deborah Musimbi, Ruth Evusa, Bena Agosa, Leah Kasudi, Rebecca Ndovola, Susan Kerorio, Eside Kahede, Naomi Libese, Sabeti Imbwaga, Elita Karegi, Martha Iminza, Erega Kiriti and Peninah Siego.

From 1950, the ADC spread to areas like Isukha in Kakamega district and Ibwali in Emuhaya district. By 1955, the ADC also spread to Manyatta, Muhanda, Vigege and by 1964, ADC spread to Uganda from Kigumba by Jotham Mukiri. In 1957, ADC was registered officially by the registrar of societies, Mr. Haward, and thereafter started the following branches: Boyani, Manyatta, Kapkoi, Tanzania, Isaku, Nairobi and Uganda.By 1957, ADC branches were being registered by the registrar of societies under African church headquarters but afterwards ADC nullified the registration of its branches in 1996 because, some of its branches had started to ignore the conditions of ADC headquarters. For example, they wanted to break away and establish their own headquarters. Also according to the registrar of societies, a church is only registered once.

At its inception, African Divine Church concentrated on spiritual development of its members until 1972. The church started a livelihood support programme through education, agriculture, business and health. The church is currently supporting several nursery and primary schools, one health centre, micro-business for its members, one polytechnic, a Bible college and is in the process of putting up two more polytechnics at Mautuma in Western Province and Igina in Rift Valley.

The church is a member of the Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Kenya United Independent Churches (KUIC), the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and the World Council of Churches (Rev. Mahero 2005). ADC supports the vulnerable in society such as Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), People Living with AIDS (PLWAs), the old, the girl child education and widows. To the PLWAs, ADC gives spiritual support, for example, telling them that they are not sick simply because they are sinners; anybody can contract the disease. To the orphans, contributions are made to assist pay their high school fees through their guardians.

The Church has three major meetings. These include: the Annual General Conference, the Council committee meeting and an executive committee meeting, that oversee the smooth running of the church.

ADC Dressing

For ADC to look different from PAOC, in its constitution in 1950, it was agreed that men were to wear white robes with white hats and women white dresses and white veils. In 1962, ADC dressing was changed after a revelation through prayers. The white robes looked like the Muslims’ attire. The official ADC dressing was redesigned to have three colours:

i) White - the light of Christ.

ii) Red - the blood of Jesus.

iii) Green - the world in which we live.

Mandate and Purpose of African Divine Church

The mandate of ADC is derived from the Bible (Matthew 15:1-17) which concerns the true vine as explained earlier.

The Purpose

Purpose of ADC, as stipulated in the constitution, is; To function as a fellowship of Christians, professing, maintaining the Christian faith and life and Christian service to its members and harmony at large in accordance with the principles and practices of worldwide religion:

The overall goal of ADC is to contribute, spiritual and economic empowerment of the members and the community for realization of a dignified life. The vision of the church is to be a responsible spiritual guided church that empowers its members spiritually and economically. The mission of the church is to preach, teach and spread the gospel.

Internal Culture of ADC

African Divine church strives to inculcate an internal culture which is empowering by ensuring that, all key stakeholders are involved in decision making and the process is decentralized to facilitate efficiency in decision making at all levels. The church plays a central role in the development process for its members and the general community; the church endeavors to pursue the highest standards of integrity, accountability and transparency.

All the employees and the secretariat have to demonstrate the Christian virtues, which are fundamental to African Divine Church as they work as the development arm of the church. They have to serve as an information department of the church, embracing and sharing new ideas that will add value to the church mission and vision. The employees and secretariat have to actively strive to acquire knowledge so as to remain “a learning church” embracing new ideas for the development of the church.

Collaboration with other churches has remained critical as this has added value to their work. ADC secretariat holds itself individually and collectively accountable for the promotion of an internal culture which defines their identity. In pursuit of ADC mission, vision and purpose, ADC is guided by the following core values which define the culture of the church:

1) Equality – that all are equal before God.

2) Peace including peaceful resolutions - live in harmony and solve conflicts the Christian way not taking each other to court.

3) Simplicity –interpret the gospel to be understood by all.

4) Honesty/truth – members to be truthful and faithful in their work.

5) Baptism – all members be baptized through water.

6) Love – treat each other as a brother and a sister through the love of God (agape), that is God’s love for human beings

7) Generosity – people to give themselves voluntarily for the work of God.

There are three committees in accordance with ADC constitution, as already mentioned earlier, whose main duty is to oversee the smooth running of the church. These committees include: The executive committee whose members are, the Archbishop as the Chairman, the general secretary as its secretary, his Assistant, the treasurer and his assistant, Chief vicars and two female members that is, mother mission and the principal of the theological college. The functions of this committee include: dealing with the management of the church such as, the implementation and overseeing policies in place are working. The members of this committee meet three times a year and it is normally held at the Headquarters of ADC, Boyani.

The second committee is the central council committee, whose members include, the Archbishop as the chairman, the general secretary and his assistant, the treasurer and his assistant, chief vicars, mother mission, the principal of the theological college and all pastors. The members meet three times a year and its functions include, dealing with all affairs of ADC such as inauguration of leaders, and starting of new ADC regions among others.

­The third committee is the annual conference which is held once a year. Archbishop is the chairperson and the meeting is attended by other executive and council committee members as earlier mentioned. This committee is charged with the responsibility of policy making, giving annual financial reports and amending ADC constitution.