Stephen & Angelina Cowan
Stephen and Angelina have been serving amongst the Samburu and Turkana people in Samburu county in northern Kenya since 1989. They work through PCI' s partner in Kenya, The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) and are based in Tuum with other strategic outposts at Seren and Wuaso Rongai. The work throughout the area is known as SAAP (Samburu Awareness and Action Programme).
Latest mission report
Stephen and Angelina's mission work
During the past 37 years a strong Christian foundation has been built by introducing the truth of the gospel story to the Samburu and Turkana people. This has been achieved by Bible teaching as well as in many practical ways. However, cultural dogma is very strong, and many still struggle to apply Biblical values above cultural expectations.
SAAP's work is predominantly relational and takes time. While recognising that traditional animal husbandry is the main source of livelihood, SAAP seeks to raise awareness of the need to adopt modern land management techniques and husbandry skills in an ever-changing world. With population increase, land demarcation and addition of modern infrastructure, failure to implement change could easily lead to further marginalisation of the semi-nomadic communities throughout the county. Economic empowerment is crucial if, rather than migrating to the city seeking better employment opportunities, the younger generation of believers are to be encouraged to remain in their home area and become part of a thriving Christian community with generational consequences.
Dedicated and genuine interest in the welfare of those with whom they share their lives, together with integrity in dealing with a wide range of situations over the decades has resulted in the trust of both the Samburu and Turkana people and gospel community has been established in many villages. Various life skills including vehicle mechanics, building construction (using locally available materials when possible), horticulture and eco tourism are incorporated informally in everyday life. Children and young people camps run three times throughout the year and a monthly teaching seminar for adults which is both biblically and developmentally based, provide a more structured and focused forum which, while fun and educational, always including the central transforming message of Jesus across the generations.
Stephen and Angelina have links with Waringstown Presbyterian Church and with Newry Presbytery.
Prayer points
- Pray for Stephen and Angelina and the SAAP senior leadership team. An increasing consideration is being given to the sustainability of the work into the future. Difficult questions need to be answered regarding direction, personnel and funding.
- Give thanks for the many teams and individuals from other parts of Kenya and Ireland who give of their time and skills to work alongside SAAP in sharing God’s love and transformative power.
Stephen and Angelina have recorded a short film clip which can be downloaded and used in church services, prayer meetings or events to raise awareness and prayer for what God is doing across the world, as we seek to go deep and wide in global mission involvement.
Latest report November 2026
October has provided a time in Ireland for both of us. We receive a few snippets coming from Tuum. It is always good to step away from Tuum, and observe how life is moving on. We are confident that there is a passion amongst the team there that ministry will grow. They anticipate the Rumuruti Presbytery leadership team visiting there in November to be involved in the Monthly training, so they get a greater understanding of presenting the gospel where there is no firmly established church, and also meeting the illiterate participants.
The Presbytery is also encouraged with the training programme that is designed to help them take greater oversight of the work. The church lay leaders seem very ready for their visit in early December, and realise that they should be more dependent on God for the future direction of SAAp.
The October adult training attracted the usual participants, and men were encouraged by the health of the bulls in Tuum. Despite the dry times animals that are grazing on reasonable pastures are healthy. El nino rains seem to have delayed, but there have been short showers, and signs of more rain.
Secondary schools are now closed. Only form 4 students are remaining. Over 1 million students will sit for this exam in Kenya this year.
In Tuum, extra tuition is being organised for those in the lower classes. The FOCUS STEM worker will lead this. Armylate says the biggest challenge is helping the girls grasp that they could have a future, and that exams play a part in making that future brighter. These tuition times are good for cementing relationships within the context of Christian maturity, and communicating the challenges of life ahead.
Youth camps are always a focal point for the work in Tuum, and the many partners who are developing links with the ministry. Park Road Fellowship will lead the December camps and continue the challenge of teaching on Jesus Christ as Saviour, and learning to live differently.
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for good connections during deputation in Ireland.
- Pray for the many ministry opportunities in November and December when the schools are off.
- Pray for the two FOCUS STEM staff (like Christian Union interns) who work at Tuum and Wuaso Rongai.
- Pray for the Park Road Fellowship as they prepare to lead the December camps.
- Pray for continued development of the iTeach app, and the need to find partners to move it forward.
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