Men of Vision in Uganda!
I would like to introduce to you two very dear friends from Uganda: Pastor Sydney and Pastor Hormidas. We have been friends for over 15 years and have served God faithfully together. They have seen much in their lifetimes and have touched many lives for the Kingdom of God. I met both of these men through my friendship with Pastor Fred Muyimba, who lives in Kampala, Uganda. I have had the privilege of traveling to Uganda 16 different times over the years. Our vision was to gather pastors together from throughout the country, build relationships with them, and equip them through leadership training. It has been such an honor for me to be joined with them in this way. I am so proud of these men and their commitment to serving God and for laying down their lives for others. We have seen God move in power and grace as many have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I have been so blessed to travel to their villages, to eat with their families, and to teach and worship in their churches. These men have stood the test of time, they have sacrificed to become better leaders, and now they are seeing the fruits of their efforts. I wanted to introduce them to you so that you could see some of the work they are doing in Uganda.
Over the years, Empty Tomb Ministries has played a small part in impacting the lives of these men. Through our leadership training and support, both of these men have grown in their faith and leadership. We have traveled together throughout their country, we have had many meals together in many different villages, and have spent many nights together doing the work of God. As they were growing in their faith, their churches were growing as well. And because of that growth, they were going to need bigger buildings for those they were leading. We talked much about the importance of vision, and that good leaders are men of vision! Both of these men have embraced the leading of the Holy Spirit and the power of a God-given vision.
I am a richer man because of my relationship with these two men, and I am honored to be on this journey with them.
Many of you reading this newsletter have played a major part in supporting Empty Tomb Ministries over the years. Your love, prayers and support have enabled me to establish relationships, like these with Pastor Sydney and Pastor Hormidas, so that ETM could join with them to help them fulfill the vision God has given them. I thought you might be very encouraged to hear their stories and to see the work they are doing today! If these men have touched your heart in some way and you would like to bless them with a gift, they would be richly blessed for sure! I have the ability to internationally wire them any funds that might come to help them and the work they are doing in Uganda. On behalf of Sydney and Hormidas: THANK YOU!
Pastor Hormidas’ Story:
I remember traveling to meet with Pastor Hormidas in his village. I was able to see his home and spend time with him and his wife. I was so thankful that Pastor Fred had a four-wheel-drive vehicle, or we would not have made it. The tight one-lane roads through the bush, up and over enormous rocks, were a challenge at every turn. We finally arrived at the church and I remember saying to myself, “This is the end of the earth!” I was so humbled and honored to be in a place where God was using a man to build God’s church. The building was so small, it probably sat about 15 people. Pastor Hormidas had just completed the little church and I had been sent by God to encourage him. Wow! Today, the little church still stands, and right next to that church, they are building a new one which is much larger. This is what happens when someone has a vision from God and is willing to serve God with all his heart!
This shows the old church in the middle with the outhouse just to the left. The big wall you see behind the old church is the new church that is under construction.
Look what God is doing! This picture says it all. The outhouse, the old church and the new church under construction. Thank you Pastor Hormidas for all your hard work.
Pastor Sydney’s Story:
Pastor Sydney is the elder statesman of all the pastors I have worked with in Uganda. He is 80 years old and continues to serve God with all his heart. I have been to his church many times and have shared many meals with him and his family. I have been blessed to have stayed in his home as we have ministered in the other villages close to where he lives. These villages are located in the western part of Uganda, about a four- to five-hour drive from where Pastor Fred lives in the capital city of Uganda, which is Kampala. During my visits, we would spend a week out in the villages visiting all the different churches, doing leadership training as well as nightly outreaches. Hundreds would come to worship, hear the word of God, and receive prayer for their lives. These were powerful times of ministry and many came to know Jesus for the first time.
Pastor Sydney’s first church was built from a straw-like material and was getting older; it was not in the best of shape. Through support from ETM and others, Pastor Sydney was able to start the process of building a new church. This is a long process because of lack of funds. Many times they have to start building the new church around the old church because of the time involved. It is a joy to be able to watch men like Pastor Sydney. His trust of God and his willingness to patiently walk through the process is a great learning experience for me. One of the most difficult challenges a leader will face is the patience they must display. I am happy to report that Pastor Sydney and his church have made great progress and are getting closer to finishing the new church building.
During one of my visits to Pastor Sydney’s church, we were given many gifts. One of my favorites? My very own chicken! That is Pastor Sydney right behind the chicken.
This is Pastor Sydney in front of the church. You can see the old church with the walls of the new church starting to go up.
Look what God has done! They are getting closer to fulfilling their vision of building the new church. Way to go Pastor Sydney and your team!
Leadership Training
Jesus is the greatest leader that ever walked the face of the earth. Leadership is vitally important in every area of our lives. I believe part of the call of Empty Tomb Ministries is to help build leadership around the world. I love to learn about leadership and I love to help others become even better leaders. Just recently, I was asked by a small company here in Colorado to share with their leadership team about character and vision in leadership. We had a wonderful time as I challenged them to have a bigger vision of leadership in their lives. Also, the work ETM is doing in the Larimer County jail is being built on the men understanding their role as leaders in their homes and communities. Leadership is influence—if you influence someone, you are a leader! Leadership development comes through character development, because leadership is a character issue. Don’t limit what God can do in your life. How is your leadership these days? Are you allowing God to use you as a leader to make a difference in this world? Please pray that God will open new doors for ETM to go and teach others of the importance of leadership.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10