About us

Redeemer Bible Church (RBC) is striving to be a healthy church that faithfully preaches the Bible, clearly understands and lives out the life changing power of the gospel, and is committed to making and maturing faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

RBC is a Bible-congregation, committed to proclaiming the gospel and displaying God’s love and holiness to the watching world.

Through the weekly preaching of the message of Jesus Christ, we have seen people come to saving faith, and believers growing mature and fruitful in the faith.

We trust God to continue blessing our commitment to preaching His Word, living it, signing it together, praying it, and seeing it demonstrated in the Lord’s Supper and baptism.

Statement of faith

From the time of the Apostles to today, Christians have laid out doctrine (i.e. beliefs drawn from Scripture) in definitive, systemized, summary statements or creeds (e.g. Apostles, Nicene, Chalcedonian, Athanasius, etc.). As those who know the God of the universe as revealed in the Bible, we believe it necessary to set forth concisely the essential truths of our church as guided by God’s Holy Word—the Bible. This Statement of Faith for Redeemer Bible Church is our attempt to help us: summarize the essential, orthodox, Christian beliefs, show our unity in Christian belief, and guard our church against error and ignorance.

Article 1: Of The Scriptures

We believe that the  Holy  Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error,  for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which  God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world,  the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct,  creeds,  and opinions should be tried.

Article 2: Of The True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Yahweh,  the  Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earthinexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor,  confidence,  and love;that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons,  the  Father,  the  Son, and the  Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection,and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

Article 3: Of The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of  God,  positively inclined to evil;  and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

Article 4: Of The Way of Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of  God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin, honored the divine law by His personal obedience,and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a  suitable,  a  compassionate,  and an all-sufficient  Saviour.

Article 5: Of Justification

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification;that justification includes the pardon of sin,  and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness;  that it is bestowed,  not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done,  but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of  God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with  God,  and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

Article 6: Of The Freeness of Salvation

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel;  that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth,  but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel;which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

Article 7: Of The Grace In Regeneration

We believe that,  in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a  holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected,  in a manner above our comprehension,  by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

Article 8: Of Repentance And Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties,  and also inseparable graces,  wrought in our souls by the regenerating  Spirit of  God; whereby,  being deeply convinced of our guilt,  danger,  and helplessness,  and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition,  confession,  and supplication for mercy;  at the same time heartily receiving the  Lord  Jesus  Christ as our  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King,  and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient  Saviour.

Article 9: Of God’s Purpose of Grace

We believe that election is the eternal purpose of  God,  according to which he graciously regenerates,  sanctifies,  and saves sinners;that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man,  it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of  God’s sovereign goodness,  being infinitely free,  wise, holy,  and unchangeable;that it utterly excludes boasting,  and promotes humility,  love,  prayer,  praise,  trust in  God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel;that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

Article 10: Of Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the  Holy Spirit,  the Sealer and Comforter, in the continued use of the appointed means,—-especially,  the word of  God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

Article 11: Of Preservation of The Saints

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of  God through faith unto salvation.

Article 12: Of The Harmony of The Law And The Gospel

We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government;that it is holy,  just, and good;and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy  Law,  is one great end of the gospel,  and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.

Article 13: Of A Gospel Church

We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word;that its only scriptural officers are Elders (i.e. pastors)  and Deacons, whose qualifications,  claims,  and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and  Titus.  In the church, redemption in  Christ gives men and women an equal share in the blessings of salvation; nevertheless, some governing and teaching roles  [e.g… elders]  within the church are restricted to men.

Article 14: Of Baptism And The Lord’s Supper

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and  Holy Spirit; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem,  our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour,  with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a  new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation;  and to the  Lord’s  Supper, in which the members of the church,  by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of  Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

Article 15: Of The Lord’s Day

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day,  following the example of the earliest Christians, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of  God.

Article 16: Of Civil Government

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that government officials are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the King of the kings of the earth.

Article 17: Of The Righteous And The Wicked

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.

Article 18: Of The World To Come

We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell,  on principles of righteousness.

Article 19: Of Marriage

Marriage is to be between one man and one woman, and is designed by God to join them till death; neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, the preventing of uncleanness. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord; and therefore such as profess the true religion, should not marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither should such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresy.Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity (i.e. being descended from the same ancestor), forbidden in the Word;  nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful,  by any law of man or consent of parties,  so as those persons may live together as man and wife.

Our History

Redeemer Bible Church (RBC) is the crystallisation of a conversation between Andrew Matoke and Dan Huffstutler, who desired to plant a church, on the one hand and Pastor Kenneth Mbugua and Emmanuel Baptist Church (EBC), who have an ongoing desire to plant healthy churches, on the other. Both parties felt burdened to increase access in Nairobi to churches which emphasise Gospel-centred, Bible-based ministry. This concern meant that Karen was a needful place to plant a church, since this approach to ministry was lacking in other nearby churches.

As EBC initiated an interviewing process with the prospective pastors to determine whether they were biblically qualified, the prospective members began to meet after Sunday services at EBC to establish the core team of around 30 people who would be sent along with the new pastors, most of whom lived in or around the Karen area.

By early 2018, the church was ready to set out, and therefore Pastor Andrew and Pastor Dan were commissioned at EBC, followed by the launch service of Redeemer on 14th January at Nairobi Montessori Preparatory School, where the church still meets today. The church was built up in its first year through consistently hearing the Bible taught from Philippians and John, and this pattern of expository preaching continues. Six months later, in June 2018, the church was constituted, and therefore it is now an independent church, even as it maintains many organic links with EBC.

Although the journey has not always been smooth, RBC is a flourishing congregation. Many visitors have come, heard the Word, been eager to return, become members, and joined the ministry in various ways, whilst a number have also put their hope in Jesus as Saviour and Lord. The future of the church is bright, as was well summarised by these words from Pastor Kenneth Mbugua (of EBC) with regard to his hopes for the church-planting venture that saw EBC plant RBC: “It’s about Christ and His glory and seeing themselves being faithful in the task that they’ve been given, so may the Lord give us that same…grace.”

Our Vision

As a church, we are a messenger and a mirror. A messenger, proclaiming the gospel through preaching and evangelism; a mirror, displaying the gospel to the watching world through our love for one another and our wholly following after Christ. God does this through His church.

Distinctives

Biblically Driven

The Bible is God’s final, inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word. Therefore, the pastors equip the membership for this God-given responsibility primarily through expository preaching where we proclaim God’s revealed will for our lives. Furthermore, the Scriptures teach that the entire church body has the final authority under God’s Word, so we take our joyful commitments to one another before God and each other seriously.

Gospel Centred

The gospel of Jesus Christ is at the centre of all we do. We wholeheartedly worship God according to how he has revealed himself in his Word. Therefore, we have ordered our worship service so that the gospel as revealed in Scripture is read, preached, prayed, sung, and seen in baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Historically Grounded

We identify with the vibrant, historical, God-centred, evangelical faith. We gladly affirm the essentials of biblical Reformation theology. The Scripture alone is our authority. And from the Scriptures, we discover that we are saved by God’s grace alone only by exercising our God-given faith in Christ alone to God’s glory alone.

Missionary Engaged

Christ has called us to follow him and help others to follow him. We do this by one-on-one, sincere, gospel-affirming relationships between Christians that build us to Christ-like maturity – something programs and activities can never do. We seek to fulfill the Lord’s great commission through our local witness in preaching and discipling and by sending and supporting those who go for the sake of his name.

Community-Focused

We are worshipers, servants, disciples, families, witnesses in this community. We desire to be the body of Christ in this place, made up of all the people who live in this community, being salt and light to the people here who desperately need the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Culturally-Accessible

We celebrate beautiful cultural diversity and that informs our evangelistic outreach. We desire to be a place that reflects excellent aspects of our cultures, so that those who do not know Christ as Saviour feel welcomed and loved.

Ethnically-Reconciled

God’s reconciling work is being accomplished through the gospel in all of us. We believe that gospel-grounded racial reconciliation produces a multi-ethnic and diverse church. We will be international about being a church that rejoices in God’s creative design of all his people.

Leadership

James Maples

James Maples currently serves as an elder at Redeemer Bible Church. He has served in ministry in the US as an elder, teacher, and through international missions/ outreach. By God’s grace, James has been serving in Kenya since 2014. He is passionate to see God’s name magnified through the local church as we pursue evangelism to the lost, intentional discipleship, and equipping the next leaders for service. James is married to the love of his life, Britney and God has gifted them with three wonderful children: Grace, Jackson, and Silas.

Seth Diang’a

Seth Diang’a serves as one of the pastors at Redeemer Bible Church since December 2021. He has served the church in various capacities both in Zambia and Kenya since 2018 before coming to RBC in 2020. Seth has a deep love for the church and is committed to preaching and teaching the truth of God’s word, training men and women for service at the local church, and is passionate to see faithful Bible-believing and teaching churches reproduced in our area and beyond. One of Seth’s joy is observing and seeing how the members of RBC are committed to Scripture, transformed by the life-changing power of the gospel that prompts love and care for one another. Seth is blessed to be married to his best friend Margaret and the Lord has graced them with two amazing children Lisa and Luis.

Jonathan Douglas

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John Thiauri

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