Finding God beyond the pews: Why I walked away from church

Religion continues to hold deep meaning for many people. While organized religion offers peace, purpose, and a sense of belonging for some, others find that it can sometimes foster feelings of guilt, or shame.

This has led many young people in Nakuru to step away from traditional church attendance, not out of a loss of faith, but rather as a way to preserve it. 

Joe* is one of them. A year ago, he stopped attending church, despite being an active youth group member. His decision didn’t come lightly; it followed months of internal conflict. 

“I decided to leave after the church I attended began inviting politicians, accepting ‘tokens’ from them, and giving them airtime to speak during services,” he explains. 

Sometimes, these speeches dragged on for hours.

What troubled Joe even more was the silence or even praise of church leaders toward these politicians, some of whom supported policies that harmed the very youth the church claimed to support. 

“It was sad, especially because I’m a young person, and yet they were giving a platform to people who had contributed to injustices affecting people like me,” he says. 

For Joe, it felt like a betrayal of the values he had been raised with; values that condemned hypocrisy and upheld justice.

Although he has yet to find a new community, Joe has turned to personal fellowship, setting aside an hour each day to pray, read scripture, and connect with God in solitude. 

For others in Nakuru looking for community outside traditional church settings, there are a number of vibrant, youth-driven spaces worth exploring. 

One such space is The Worship Hang Out, a weekly gathering held every Thursday from 4 PM to 7 PM at Maasai Market, where young people come together to fellowship and serve through music and sharing the word of God.

For ladies, Glow Ladies offers a monthly opportunity to connect, dress up, and engage in uplifting conversations centered around faith. The event is held at Trinity Chapel, Nakuru, and provides a space for women to network and encourage one another. 

If worship is what you're seeking, RYTE Worship Sessions take place every Wednesday from 5 PM to 8 PM at Ereto Plaza Basement, offering a lively and spiritually refreshing experience led by the RYTE Movement.

For those who enjoy a touch of nostalgia, Oldies and Soul Sunday Skool editions provide a chance to revisit the gospel music of their youth while reflecting on timeless messages. 

Meanwhile, Set Apart, a Friday fellowship from 5 PM to 7 PM at Cigma Plaza, gives young adults a judgment-free environment to express their faith, dance, connect, and engage in meaningful discussions. 

For anyone feeling called to service, one can join organized groups like EDGE Missions, which organizes outreach programs in schools, hospitals, and children’s homes, and visits, offering a hands-on approach to living out faith.

And for those looking to serve the wider community beyond church-based programs, joining a Rotary Club near you will provide opportunities to volunteer and make a difference through community projects. 

For many young people today, faith is no longer confined to church walls. Instead, it’s being redefined and lived out in everyday spaces.