Kenya, in East Africa, has more than 40 different racial and ethnic groups – each with its own language, distinct culture, and way of life. One of these ethnic groups is the Maasai people, who live in both Kenya and the neighbouring country of Tanzania. The Maasai people are nomadic – that is, they travel from place to place, settling in one location temporarily before it is time to move on. When they move, they take with them only one thing: their cows, which are considered sacred.

One day, some Christian missionaries from Europe decided that the Maasai people needed to hear the gospel. And so, the missionaries came to the land of the Maasai and did what they traditionally did: they built a church. They told the Maasai that the church building was an important place to come and worship God.

The Maasai people were excited, and they came to church. They worshipped and celebrated and knew God. But, when it was time for the nomadic Maasai to leave this location, they left this place of worship behind and wandered into the desert to find a new place to call home. The Christian missionaries were confused, and wondered what had happened. Didn’t the Maasai people like this church? How could they leave it behind so easily?

The missionaries searched until they found the same group of Maasai people again, living in a new place. The relieved missionaries built a new church there and invited the Maasai to come. For a time, the Maasai people came and worshipped and celebrated and knew God. But, one day, the Maasai left their new place of worship and wandered into the desert again to find a new home. This time missionaries were upset. They had now built two churches that the Maasai had walked away from. The Maasai seemed happy to be in church; why would they leave it for the desert?

The missionaries looked around again until they found the new location where the Maasai were now living. And, for the first time, they asked the Maasai why they kept leaving the church house. Wasn’t God’s house important to them? Didn’t they respect the church?

And, for the first time, the Maasai responded. They said they loved God and they were excited about God’s promises. But, they said, they didn’t need a structure in order to worship God. They would always move from place to place. Buildings have never been important to them.

What is important, the Maasai explained, is that they carry God with them in their hearts. And so God’s place is always with them. As they move from place to place, they worship God and celebrate when they come together – with great joy in the open land – without a building. They carry symbols in their minds, God in their hearts, and celebrate their place in God’s household.

Then, the Maasai asked the missionaries, “If God is always with you, why is a church building so important?”