In a quiet suburb of the bustling capital, a modest compound called The Anchor House welcomes weary travellers not with check-in counters and minibars, but with a handwritten prayer, fresh bread, and soft worship music echoing from a nearby chapel.
Founded by Grace Muriithi, a former corporate executive turned hospitality entrepreneur, The Anchor House has become a prototype of what many are now calling ‘kingdom hospitality’ — a growing movement of faith-based guesthouses, retreat centres, and travel services across Africa and the global church that prioritises soul over style, mission over luxury.
“We wanted to build a place where people don’t just rest their bodies — they encounter the presence of God,” says Muriithi. “Our rooms are clean, simple, and prayerfully prepared.”
From Accra to Arusha, Abuja to Cape Town, a wave of Christian entrepreneurs is reimagining hospitality as a ministry. While traditional Christian retreat centres have long existed, this new generation, often younger, urban, and entrepreneurial, is bringing in design, technology, and cultural sensitivity to shape an intentional, spirit-led hospitality economy.
“We aren’t just running guesthouses,” says Jean-Paul Kamanzi, co-founder of Shalom Journeys Rwanda. “We’re creating environments that disciple travellers — and elevate local communities.”
Their model? Spaces rooted in spiritual rhythms, staffed with believers, and integrated with mission-based programming — from daily prayer walks to community outreach projects for guests who wish to serve while resting.
Across South Africa, The Prayer Room Collective — a network of Christian-owned Airbnbs and retreat spaces — has launched a digital booking platform that connects visitors with homes that provide not only accommodation but also biblical hospitality. “We pray over our beds, stock Bibles in every room, and offer morning devotionals upon request,” says Dumisani Hadebe, one of the hosts.
In Ghana, Tranquil Place Ministries in the Eastern Region offers retreats for missionaries, pastors, and couples seeking spiritual renewal. Its founders, Kwame and Akosua Mensah, left the hotel industry to launch a sanctuary “where silence speaks and God restores.”
In Nigeria, Bethel Oasis, located in Jos, provides trauma-informed accommodation for Christian workers serving in the northern conflict zones. With a chapel, trauma healing workshops, and trauma counsellors on staff, the facility has become a lifeline for many front-line missionaries.
“Hospitality is holy,” says Pastor Joseph Okonkwo, director of Bethel Oasis. “Jesus didn’t just preach in synagogues. He dined with people. He made room.”
Many of these entrepreneurs cite Hebrews 13:2 — “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers…” — as a guiding light. But they also bring contemporary excellence: strategic branding, digital booking systems, staff training rooted in both customer care and Christian ethics, and partnerships with local artisans for food and furnishings.
In East Africa, Ezer Spaces, co-founded by a team of Christian designers and architects, is turning underutilised church buildings into weekend spiritual retreats. These transformed spaces feature minimalist decor, high-speed Wi-Fi, and soul-soothing aesthetics designed to encourage both prayer and productivity.
“We wanted to give faith-minded creatives a space to retreat without disconnecting from purpose,” says co-founder Rehema Otieno.
The movement is not confined to Africa. In Europe, Sanctum Stays has grown from a small faith-based hostel in Barcelona to a network of 42 Christian-run accommodations across the continent. Their 2024 report showed a 28% increase in travellers booking explicitly for “spirit-led rest.”
In the U.S., Holy Ground Hospitality, a non-profit, now offers grants to churches that want to convert unused parsonages into guest spaces for missionaries and ministry workers.
Yet it is Africa, with its young population, deep faith, and expanding tourism industry, that is leading the way in what many see as a hospitality reformation.
Of course, challenges persist. Balancing commercial sustainability with ministry goals can be tricky. Booking platforms often prioritise aesthetics over purpose. Some guests expect five-star service without understanding the spiritual mission behind the space.
And, in certain regions, religious persecution makes it risky to publicly identify as a Christian. “We operate discreetly,” says one North African host. “But our hospitality is loud with love.”
Nonetheless, the model is gaining traction, especially among millennials and Gen Z travellers seeking deeper meaning in every experience.
“We’re tired of shallow travel,” says Nomvula Radebe, a Cape Town digital nomad. “Give me a guesthouse where I can pray, rest, and still have good Wi-Fi — that’s holy ground.”
By Glorify Times Culture Desk
