Controversy continues to swirl around the SDA church in the Gusii region as two prominent pastors, Martha Isaac and Nixon Matara, have pushed back against their suspension, claiming they are being unjustly accused and victimized by the church.
The pastors were suspended by the church on allegations of misconduct and violating established protocols, particularly in their handling of funeral services. However, Isaac and Matara maintain their innocence and assert that they have been falsely accused by the church.
“Dear leaders, and pastors, this is to inform you that Pr Matara and Martha Isaak of Matagaro will not be allowed to conduct any services at funerals, public evangelism, and camp meetings until the Field Executive committee sitting in mid-June clears them.
This is because of many issues reported about their conduct in funerals. Please give this information to members and elders. They go out including outside SEKF without permission even without host pastors knowing. Please cooperate on this,” the suspension notice from the church read.
It appears that the church has taken issue with the teachings delivered by the two preachers during funeral services, which has resulted in their popularity soaring within the Gusii region. Grieving families have been drawn to the captivating sermons delivered by pastors Martha Isaac and Nixon Matara.
However, both pastors deny the allegations leveled against them by the church, stating that they do not impose themselves on such occasions.
In an interview with Bosongo Vibes, Matara and Martha clarified that they always advise families seeking their services to first consult with their local church leadership. Only after receiving approval from the church leadership do they proceed to attend and deliver their sermons at funeral services.
“I don’t wake up and go sniffing around mortuaries to know where there is a funeral for me to attend and preach. It’s the families that look for me. And I always ensure I follow the right procedures before attending any funeral or meeting,” Matara said.
“The only funerals I automatically attend are those within my village or for my relatives. And I don’t go there to preach. But distant families look for me and I always ask them to follow the right procedures before I agree to preach there,” Martha said on her part.
Pastors Martha Isaac and Nixon Matara revealed that they have not been formally summoned by the church to address the alleged misconduct. They became aware of the accusations through messages circulating, just like everyone else. Additionally, they assert that the church has not followed the correct procedure in addressing any concerns it may have had with them.
In response to their suspension, Matara and Martha have enlisted the services of an advocate to challenge the church’s actions. Through their advocate, Wilkins Ochoki, the pastors argue that the church acted unfairly by suspending them without providing them with a fair hearing. They are seeking legal intervention to halt the suspension imposed by the church.
“In view of the above, our clients ought to have been afforded an opportunity to examine the allegations against them and the evidence in support of the same. Moreover, they are guaranteed the right to a fair hearing before any administrative action can be taken against them,” the demand letter stated in part.
The suspension of the two preachers has elicited mixed reaction among the members of the Gusii community, with majority who enjoy their teachings labelling the church a disgrace.
They now want the two reinstated.
