SDA Church Bans Harambee and Fundraising Activities [FULL DETAILS]

The West Kenya Union Conference (WKUC) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has suspended all harambee and fundraising activities conducted on the Sabbath across its churches, institutions and conferences, with immediate effect.

In a directive dated June 5, 2026, church leadership said the decision followed internal consultations aimed at safeguarding the sanctity of the Sabbath.

“The leadership of the West Kenya Union Conference, after careful consultation, has resolved to suspend, with immediate effect, all Harambee and fundraising activities conducted on the Sabbath across all churches, institutions, fields, and conferences within the Union territory,” read part of the statement.

However, leaders pointed to growing concern that fundraising during worship services interferes with the spiritual atmosphere of the Sabbath.

They argued that such activities shift attention away from worship and undermine the sacred purpose of the day.

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Fundraising Shift to Alternative Days

Consequently, the directive emphasizes that the Sabbath should remain a time for spiritual renewal, fellowship, and communion with God.

Leaders maintained that preserving reverence during worship remains central to the church’s beliefs and practices.

“This decision has been necessitated by observations that fundraising activities conducted during worship services often disrupt the spirit of reverence for God and divert minds from the sacred purpose of the Sabbath,” the leadership noted.

Furthermore, the communication outlines that all fundraising efforts, whether for church development, institutional support or other causes, must now take place on Sundays or any other appropriate days outside Sabbath hours.

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Compliance and Accountability Warning

Meanwhile, the WKUC leadership has directed all church administrators and leaders at the conference, district, and local levels to ensure strict adherence to the new directive. They stressed that compliance remains mandatory.

In addition, the statement issues a stern warning to leaders who may go against the directive, making it clear that accountability will be enforced at an individual level.

“Any pastor or church leader who permits or facilitates fundraising activities on the Sabbath shall bear personal accountability for such actions,” the directive stated.

Ultimately, the leadership called on members to cooperate fully and support the church’s mission in ways that align with biblical principles.

They urged congregants to embrace alternative days for fundraising while preserving the Sabbath as a day of worship and spiritual reflection.

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Adventist Church leaders in West Kenya halt Sabbath fundraising, directing all activities to other days to protect worship, uphold reverence and spiritual focus. PHOTO/ File