Christians urged to ‘Spread Love’ in East African country, Christian resources again made available in West African nation

A Christian publisher in Kenya has launched a campaign to prepare Christians for the East African country’s March elections. Meanwhile, CLC International re-opened a Christian bookstore in September in Monrovia, Liberia, at the historic Providence Baptist Church. 

Five years ago, post-election violence in Kenya killed 1,500 and displaced 250,000, BBC News reported. 

“We need the prayers, goodwill and support of Christian Trade members worldwide as we carry out the ‘Spread Love in Kenya’ campaign,” said Martin Karanja, managing director of Arba Publications, a Nairobi, Kenya-based member of Christian Trade Association International (CTAI). “This initiative is geared to ensuring that Christians in Kenya practice the greatest commandment so that we never have a repeat of what happened in 2007 and 2008.”

The campaign is focused around Love: The Christian Signature, an Arba-published book, with a seven-minute DVD of the same name. The book by Edward Buri—a Princeton graduate, youth pastor and adjunct professor—has sold more than 6,000 copies.

Working with churches, retailers and schools, Karanja has organized events in a dozen cities, including Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru and Naivasha. The campaign, which has reached more than 50,000 people via radio, TV, print and events, has also crossed national borders, with the most recent public meeting in Kampala, Uganda.   

“We have 19 active members,” said Jackie Ojiambo, owner of Wells Books and Gifts and chairperson of CTAI in Kenya. “We meet to pray, fellowship, encourage one another and address issues that affect our industry and nation.” 

CLC operated a Christian store in the West African country from 1948 until 1996 when the bookstore became a target for violence. Twice the store was looted and destroyed, and CLC workers were forced to flee. As a result, CLC’s work in Liberia was “temporarily suspended.” 

Two years after hostilities ceased, CLC sent a research team to explore the opening of a new store, but much of the infrastructure was inadequate. 

In February 2012, another CLC team discovered that conditions had improved and a plan was put in place to re-open by year’s end. CLC USA helped to arrange for the shipment of a 20-foot container filled with start-up inventory, including used books donated by individuals and churches through CLC’s Christian Book Link program. 

The new store is located inside Providence Baptist Church, the site of the founding of the country by returning American slaves in 1847, and the founding documents still reside in the church.

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