Contact Us

More information about Fellowship Baptist Church

History of FBC

WorldVenture (formerly Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society) missionaries, Frank and Alma Dobra, left Pakistan and moved to Uganda with a heart for reaching Asians there. In 1972/3, after the expulsion of the country's Indian and Pakistani minority by Idi Amin, the Dobras came to Mombasa to minister to the Asian communities here. They were joined by Russ and Lois Paulson who focused on church planting along the South Coast.

In 1974, the Dobras joined hands with Christar (formerly International Missions Inc.) missionaries George and Naomi Kaufman and Martha Ratzlaff, along with the Parmars from India-associates of Bahkt Singh's ministry.

Outreach efforts included Sunday night preaching at the harbor and literature distribution, Bible clubs for youth, visiting with shop keepers, attending Asian functions, film showings (including in Hindu Temple), teaching CRE in schools, and camps for Asian boys and girls in Kericho. Also, every Friday night, the Asian Bible Fellowship would meet on the rooftop of Martha's flat on Haile Selassie Ave. (not far from where Tuskys currently is). By 1978, the fellowship was averaging between 60-80 people, about half of whom were unbelievers.

During this time, the Dobras were part of Mombasa Gospel Tabernacle Church in Tudor, and this is where they would encourage new Asian believers to attend. In 1983, after 10 years of meeting on Friday nights, the Asian Fellowship Baptist Church met together on Sunday, 7th August in the carport of Frank and Alma Dobras home on Rassini Rd in Tudor. By 9th October, services were moved to Mombasa Baptist High School where they met in the chapel. At this time the average attendance was around 25 out of a community of 40. Friday night and Sunday night outreaches continued, with Abner Kunder taking over the teaching responsibilities on Fridays.

FBC continued to grow under the leadership of the Dobras and subsequently Garry and Connie Morgan. There were 105 in attendance for the first anniversary service in August 1984. In 1986, the church moved from the Baptist High school to various location/homes until they settled at Valentine High School. That same year Larry and Phyllis Bishop arrived and began pastoring FBC. In 1987, the church moved to Valentine Primary School and the community increased to 90 with 53 as members.

It was formally organized in July of 1988, the same year the Dobra's retired. Wayne Raychard, Harold Salseth, Malcolm Hartnell, and Charles Currie filled in for Larry Bishop at various points between 1989-1993, due to home assignments and a medical leave. In 1993, the Tudor plot was purchased and in 1994, the construction of our current church building was completed. The plot and main building was funded by WorldVenture's P.A.C.T. (Plant A Church Together) program which focused on raising funds to plant churches in key urban centers where resources were limited. The rear classrooms were built in 2004.

As a result of this program, we continue to set aside 15% of tithes to be designated toward helping plant other churches. The first service was held in the new building on 18th December 1994 and the dedication service was held on 29th January 1995. That same year, Bill and Mary- Ellen Stroup assisted the church. Then, in 1996 with the retirement of the Bishops, Malcolm Hartnell stepped up to assist. The church was officially registered as a society in 2008. Brian Nyamai (Pastor Israel) was called in 1997 and served until January 2013. Matthew Ndambuki served alongside Moses Mallombe 2015-2018. Tim Thairu had been serving as lead pastor from March 2021.

Our Diversity

We are a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and transient community with those with roots in North America, Europe, Asia, and of course Africa. We represent people from every realm of society, with our rich diversity being a testimony of God's amazing grace which He extends to all nations, tribes, and tongues.

Board of Elders

Elder Photo

Sean Nuccio

Elder

Elder Photo

Emmanuel Kasuku

Elder

Elder Photo

Thomas Puthoor

Elder

Elder Photo

Abdi Kamil Mahmoud

Elder

Elder Photo

Edwine Omaya

Lead Pastor

Constitution of FBC

The name of the Ministry shall be Fellowship Baptist Church of Mombasa (in this Constitution referred to as "the Ministry")

OBJECTIVES

- To bring glory to God; seeking to fulfill His purpose by meeting together for worship, by helping each other grow in Christian faith and love, by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ by word and deed, and by ministering to human needs in the name of Christ.

- To establish and maintain churches throughout Kenya and the world where people can worship God and be taught the Word of God.

- To establish and maintain charitable organizations, feeding programs, relief centers, Bible schools and colleges, academic schools, colleges, libraries, development projects, orphanage homes, hospitals, health centers, rehabilitation centers, village polytechnics, old people's homes and other institutions which are beneficial to the Ministry or the general public and are not repugnant to the teaching of the Holy Bible.

- To train, receive and ordain ministers for the work of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

- To accept donations from members, non-members, the government, municipal councils, other charitable organizations and any persons whether private or corporate, whether from Kenya or any other part of the world for the furtherance of the activities and objectives of the Ministry.

- To purchase and acquire land or buildings either from the government, city council, municipalities, county councils, private or corporate persons, for the purpose of enhancing the objectives of the Ministry.

- To enter into lease agreement with companies or persons for hire of office space, residential houses or any houses or any other building required for enhancing the objectives of the Ministry.

- To buy goods or services necessary for the furtherance of the objectives of the Ministry including materials, training equipment, books and any other items from any persons and sell any goods and services arising from the Ministry's development projects, provided such monies will be used to pay for the expense of making such goods and services; any other balance will be invested in the same development projects or any other institution in the Ministry.

- The Ministry's surplus funds will not be distributed to the members of the Ministry as dividends.

- To pay for the services provided to the Ministry by employees or other specialists ministry employed under special contract with the Ministry solely for activities of the said.

- To do all such other things as deemed essential or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives provided that such activities will not be repugnant to the teachings of the Bible.

- To teach the gospel through all available media including radio, television and satellite, etc.; and to establish stations for broadcasting the gospel.

- The Ministry is NON POLITICAL and non-profit making.

Doctrinal Statement

- We believe that the Bible is God's Word, that it was written by men divinely and uniquely inspired, that it is absolutely trustworthy and has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

- We believe in God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power. We rejoice that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of man, that He hears and answers prayer and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

- We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, sinless in His life, making atonement for the sin of the world by His death on the cross. We believe in His bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, His high priestly intercession for His people and His personal visible return to the world according to His promise.

- We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from God to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and comfort those who believe in Jesus Christ.

- We believe that all men by nature and by choice are sinners, and that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." We believe therefore, that those who accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour will rejoice forever in God's presence and that those who refuse to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour will be forever separated from God.

- We believe in the Church—a living, spiritual body of which Christ is the Head and of which all regenerated people are members. We believe that a visible church is a company of believers in Jesus Christ, buried with Him in Baptism and associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that to those visible churches were committed for observance "till He comes" the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and that God has laid upon these churches the task of persuading a lost world to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and to enthrone Him as Lord and Master. We believe that human betterment and social improvement are essential products of the Gospel.

- We believe that every human being is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith.

Doctrinal Statement

This church has also adopted the following Covenant as a means by which its members may express their intent to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the life of the church and in the affairs of daily life of each of its members.

- Having been led by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and on the profession of our faith having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit we do now in the presence of God and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

- We commit ourselves, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love (Phil. 2:1-18), to work for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness (Eph. 4:1-16), to support its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines, to contribute cheerfully and regularly according to the Scriptural principles of tithes and offerings to the support of the ministry (2 Cor. 9:6-15; Dt. 26:1-15; 1 Tim. 5:17-18), the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

- We also commit ourselves to maintain, as far as possible, family and private devotions and to teach our children the Christian truths (Dt. 6:4-9), to seek the salvation of our family and friends, to manifest the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and to be putting away the deeds of our sinful nature (Gal. 5:13-26; Eph. 4:17-6:4; Col.3:1-25), to be just and honest in all of our dealings and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.

- We further commit ourselves to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and trouble, and to be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation (Gal. 6:1-10; Eph. 6:18; Matt.18:15-35).

- We also commit ourselves that when we move from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the principles of God's Word (Heb.10:25).

What We Believe

We believe in the Holy Trinity -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- eternally One, equal in power and glory (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

We believe in the authority and inerrancy of the Bible, the inspired 66 books of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, and that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9).

We believe Christ established two ordinances for the Church: Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26).

We believe in the imminent, visible return of Jesus Christ, who will reign in glory and bring forth a new heaven and a new earth (Acts 1:11; Revelation 21:1).

What is the Gospel?

The Gospel is the good news that the God who made us and to whom we are accountable (Genesis 1:27; Romans 14:12) has acted to save us from our problem of sin (Romans 3:23).

Though our sin separates us from Him (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23), God provided the solution by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose again for our salvation (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

We are included in this salvation not by our works but by turning from sin in repentance and placing our faith in Jesus Christ alone (Mark 1:15; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 16:31).

Have you believed the Gospel?

FBC Membership

- Qualifications to be a member:

Any person who: confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, has a satisfactory Christian Testimony, has been baptised as a believer by immersion, agrees to abide by the Church Covenant and Doctrinal Statement, and whose age is above eighteen (18) years will be eligible for membership in the Ministry . Persons who are not eighteen (18) years of age may be admitted into the junior's member's roll as set forth in by the laws


- Admission:

Membership in the Ministry is free of charge. However, members are free to give contributions or donations, whether or not an appeal has been made. Anyone wishing to join may do so according to the by-laws through the following ways:

-- By Baptism :- Anyone who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour may become a member after baptism by immersion.

-- By Experience :- A Christian of good character may join after giving a public testimony of their Christian faith.

-- By Transfer :- A Christian of good character may be admitted after a letter of approval is received from another Baptist church.

-- As Watch-care Members :- Christians who live temporarily at the Coast but wish to keep their membership in their home church may apply as watch-care members. They will meet all membership requirements and enjoy the same privileges and responsibilities as regular members, except they cannot serve as elders.


- Termination of Membership:

Membership may end either by resignation or dismissal, in line with the by-laws. Please note that anyone who resigns or is removed will not receive a refund of any contributions made. Membership may end in the following ways:

-- By Death :- Membership ends automatically upon death.

-- By Transfer :- A member may request a letter of recommendation to join another church.

-- By Discipline :- A member who acts in an un-Christian manner or breaks the Church Covenant in a way that harms the Ministry or its reputation may be removed. This will only happen after the member has been heard by the Board of Elders and after sincere efforts to correct and guide them have been made (Matt. 18:15–17).

-- By Absence :- Members who have not participated in the Ministry, as required in the Church Covenant, for one year or more may be removed at the discretion of the Board of Elders.