In a country where churches are packed with worshippers on a Sunday, where Christian radio stations dominate the airwaves, some may wonder what role there is for evangelism in Uganda.
However, whilst 80 per cent of the population claim to be Christians, many would describe themselves as nominal and many continue to adhere to Islam or African traditional beliefs.
Above all Christ commands us to share the good news with others (Matthew 28: 18 – 20).
He tells us that there is a great harvestfield awaiting workers (Matthew 9: 37) and we are compelled to take every opportunity to share our faith (1 Peter 3: 15).
Kasese mission week
Some time ago, the pastor at our church in Kasese, Moses Kaiso – who is also the Baptist Union of Uganda Western Region Overseer – had a vision for a mission week in the town.
Held towards the end of last year, what was most refreshing about the mission week was the fact that it was organised and led entirely by African leaders.
A team of 20 pastors and choir members arrived from D R Congo to help run the many events, including morning door-to-door visits, afternoon seminars and evening gospel presentations at the town square.
Four pastors and eight choir members were able to stay in our home in Kasese for the duration of the week.
Pastor Kaiso was determined that everyone regardless of background should hear of God’s love.
Open-air events attracted people of all backgrounds and seminars were organised for business people and for local government officials.
An audience was even granted with the King of the Bakonzo (the local tribe) and we wandered up the hill to his parliament building where for an hour the pastors and choir were able to share what God had been doing in Kasese during the week.
The gospel was preached in people’s own language: at least five were being used during the Sunday morning service, which perhaps helped contribute to it being six hours long!
We saw Christian love in action. Churches across the association contributed workers and the churches in the Congolese refugee camps north of us, who have so little, themselves sacrificially gave 100 kilogrammes of beans to help feed people.
The young men in the church gave up their mattresses and slept on the floor so that the visiting workers had somewhere comfortable to sleep at night.
What has been most clear however is that, in spite of our weaknesses or failings, God continues to be sovereign and at work through his Spirit both in the lives of those in Kasese and beyond.
Pray for the ten BMS mission workers in
Uganda, the three supported partner workers and those who serve through the Baptist Union of Uganda – that they may rely on God’s strength for all they do.
Is God calling you to serve overseas, to bring his word and love to those who desperately need to hear it? Click
here for mission opportunities through BMS.