Should the LORD not be concerned about that great city of Nineveh? It’s a tantalizing, unanswered question that dangles in front of the reader at the end of the book of Jonah. How could the capital city of an ancient superpower and archenemy of Israel be of “concern” to the LORD? From an intense nationalistic and ethnic perspective, the Israelites would probably have thought God’s concern should be one of judgment not mercy.

Nairobi is the capital of Kenya in East Africa. By any standard, it is a great city. Its metro area has a population of over 9 million people. It continues to serve as a magnet to the region and the nation. Today it’s a hub for business, culture, education, IT, and much more both within Kenya and across Africa more broadly. And like any great city, Nairobi faces immense challenges. Unplanned urbanization, corruption, and attacks by Islamist terrorist groups impact the life of Kenya’s citizens.

Yet today there is much evidence of the Lord’s concern for that great city. African churches continue to grow, to reach out, to minister to the poorest of the poor, and to shine the light of Christ across the nation. African mission teams are finding ways to proclaim the gospel and to demonstrate it through acts of love and compassion in some of the most difficult areas of Nairobi and across East Africa. African Christian leaders are developing African responses to some of the thorniest challenges their society faces. Carolyn Cummings was commissioned by Park Street over 30 years ago to serve in Kenya. She’s witnessed first-hand the courage and wisdom of African believers in serving Jesus in Nairobi and beyond. The LORD is truly concerned with that great city and has sent his people to serve him there.