Pastor John Makokha Welcomes Persecuted LGBT Community To His Church In Kenya

Fredrick Nzwili

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Down a muddy path, sandwiched between residential homes in this city’s northwest slum, is a simple timber and sheet metal structure that welcomes not only the lowly but the outcast: Nairobi’s gays and lesbians.

Its pastor, the Rev. John Makokha, is risking his vocation and reputation by welcoming them to his church. But alarmed by the number of clergy resorting to hate, oppression and discrimination against gays and lesbians, Makokha feels he has no choice.

He has flung open the doors of the Riruta Hope Community Church and even had a rainbow flag conspicuously painted on the church marquee.

Kenya has not gone as far as Uganda and Nigeria, countries that have recently adopted harsh legislation outlawing homosexuality and calling for life imprisonment for some homosexual acts.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/30/john-makokha-lgbt-church-kenya_n_5241105.html?utm_hp_ref=religion