Walking the Footpaths of Faith
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
A Conversation with Pastor Tom Tumpuya, Church Planter for AfricaHope Kenya
For more than two decades, Pastor Tom Tumpuya has walked dusty footpaths through the Maasai communities of southwest Kenya, sharing the Gospel, discipling new believers, and encouraging pastors. Along the way, he has witnessed remarkable stories of transformation that remind him God is always at work—even when the results aren't immediately visible. We recently sat down with Pastor Tom to talk about the people, challenges, and moments that have shaped his ministry.
About Pastor Tom Tumpuya:
Husband and father of three
Senior Pastor of his home church in Narok County, Kenya
Ministry leader with AfricaHope since 2006
Passionate about church planting and discipleship among the Maasai
You've met countless people over the years. Is there one person whose story you'll never forget?
Pastor Tom:
Yes. There was one man named Enoch from a community called Letukunyi.
We had been visiting that community for more than a year, spending time with the people, fellowshipping together, and often staying overnight in his village. Enoch was always very hospitable to us. Sometimes he would even slaughter one of his goats to feed us.
One evening, after we had finished our fellowship time, we did what we normally do and asked if anyone wanted to give their life to Jesus.
Enoch raised his hand and said, "I'm here. I'm ready. I want to give my life to Jesus."
The AfricaHope missionary who was with me, we looked at each other, wondering whether he was serious or whether he was simply under the influence of alcohol. We asked him, "Are you serious?"
He said, "Yes, I'm serious. I've been drinking alcohol every day for many years, but today I want to leave all of those things behind. I want to give my life to Jesus."
So we told him, "If you're serious, we're going to baptize you today."
He immediately replied, "I'm ready. Let's go to the river right now."
"Well, let's go!" we said.
We told everyone who was there that we were taking Enoch to the river to be baptized. Then four other believers who had never been baptized said, "I want to be baptized too."
So we all went to the river and baptized five people that day, including Enoch.
Afterward, we kept asking people how Enoch was doing. We learned that the very first Sunday after his baptism, he was the first person to arrive at church. All week he had been telling everyone, "I'm a believer now."
Even his old friends began saying, "We've been doing all these things together. Now it's time for us to go to church with you and start serving God."
From that day until now, Enoch has remained faithful. He has grown into a mature Christian, serves as a church elder, and even travels to encourage churches and share the Gospel.
Even today, when I visit that community, people say, "If Enoch could come to the Lord, anyone in this community can change."
What keeps you going when ministry gets difficult?
Pastor Tom:
What gives me hope is remembering where I came from.
When I remember how I came to know Christ, it reminds me that these people are just like I was. Sometimes it simply takes time.
My work is to plant the seed. God is the One who makes it grow.
When I remember that it isn't about me—it is about God—I just keep going. God is the One who changes hearts and brings people to Christ.
That's what keeps me moving forward.
Sometimes you go into a community, and you don't see any results. People don't seem to be changing. Everything looks the same. I once spent two years in a community and never saw anyone come to Christ. I prayed and asked God, "If it's Your will for me to stay here, I'll stay. If it's Your will for me to move to another community, I'm ready."
Eventually I left and moved to another community.
What God did in that community afterward was amazing.
That reminds me that sometimes our job is simply to plant and water. Someone else may come later and see the harvest.
Knowing that God is in control gives me hope to keep moving forward.
Tell us a little about yourself. How did God call you into ministry?
Pastor Tom:
I come from a community called Oletukat in Narok County, Kenya.
I became a Christian when I was about eighteen years old after watching the Jesus Film. Seeing the life of Jesus changed my heart, and in 2002 I gave my life to Christ.
From that day on, I became committed to following Jesus. I attended church every Sunday, learned to read the Bible, and became involved in the church
In 2006, I joined Africa Hope. One of the missionaries encouraged me to attend Bible school, and after I completed my training, I was the only person in my church who had done so.
Because of that, the church elders asked me to become the assistant pastor. I served in that role until 2018, when I became the senior pastor of my church.
How has the Family Partners program strengthened the churches where you serve?
Pastor Tom:
Family Partners has made a tremendous difference, changing the lives of many people in the communities where we work, especially through the local churches.
Before families can begin receiving the monthly Direct Give support, we spend time teaching them from God's Word. One of the first things we teach is that everything we have comes from God, and that we should faithfully give back to Him. We encourage every family to tithe from what they receive each month.
Many of the people in these churches are women with very little income. Before joining the program, they often had almost nothing to contribute to their churches. Now they are able to give their tithe, support church projects, and help meet the needs of their congregations.
Family Partners has done much more than strengthen individual families. It has strengthened entire churches. Pastors now see their congregations taking ownership of the ministry and supporting the work of God in ways that simply weren't possible before.
If you could speak directly to every Family Partners donor, what would you want them to know?
Pastor Tom:
First, I want to say thank you. Because of your generosity, many lives have changed.
Today, there are children in our communities who can go to school. Families have clothes to wear. Parents can put food on the table. Families who have hope for the future. All because you chose to care.
But most importantly, people who once lived in spiritual darkness have found the light of Christ.
May the Lord bless you, and may He continue to bless the work you are doing. Your reward is not only being seen here on earth—it is also being seen in heaven.
How can our readers be praying for you and for the ministry?
Pastor Tom:
Please continue praying that God will use Africa Hope as a tool to spread the Good News and bring hope to hopeless families throughout our communities. Our desire is to reach new communities, new counties, and, if God opens the door, even beyond Kenya.
And for me personally, pray for my ministry—that God will continue to give me strength and use me faithfully wherever He sends me.
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