Empty Tomb Ministry Center
Kampala, Uganda
I wanted to give you a current update of our ministry center in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Even though we are not finished yet, the building is being used for ministry throughout the week. Our two main ministries going on right now are our children’s church on Sundays and our prayer meeting on Thursdays. We have just finished a video update on the building from our executive director Grace Agatha. If you would like to watch this exciting new video you can do so by going to our web page at emptytombministries.org, click on the Ministries tab, then go to Empty Tomb Ministry Center Uganda.
A number of years ago Kevin Costner starred in the movie, “Field of Dreams.” The most memorable quote in that movie was, “If you build it, they will come.” Well, guess what? We are building it and they are coming. I truly believe that God has a very powerful plan for this ministry center. Many of you have played a part in helping us make this dream become a reality. Through your prayers and support, we now have a building that can be used to equip God’s people for works of service. Much has been done but there is more to do. And with your help, we can get this building done real soon.
I had our team in Kampala put together this quote for the remaining work that needs to be done on the inside and outside of the building. This is really doable! And each of us have an opportunity to put our name on this building that will be etched in heaven for all eternity. Now stay with me. Don’t stop reading now. The best is yet to come. So, here are the figures—we can do this!
| PHASE 1: | |
| Inside electrical work | $800 |
| Ceiling and dry wall installation
(to sound proof for worship) |
$4,200 |
| PHASE 2: | |
| Painting work: interior and exterior
Dry wall, ceiling and carpeting |
$3,200 |
| PHASE 3: | |
| Steps, side fence and kitchen | $2,250 |
| Miscellaneous | $550 |
| TOTAL | $11,000 |
Our team in Kampala with many of the kids who come to our Sunday church each week.
I know one thing for sure, this is not too hard for our God to do. If I could get 110 people to give $100 each, we will have what we need to finish this building and make it first class for all who come to be touched by the power of the Holy Spirit. One thing I have learned over the years, it takes resources to build God’s Kingdom on this earth. Please, watch the video on our web page, if you do I bet you will join us on this journey and you might even give more than $100.
If you are in, there are two ways to give. You can go to the web page and give on our PayPal account or use the envelope with this newsletter and memo ministry center on your check. It is that easy. Thank you for prayerfully considering this invitation to impact this world and touch many lives in the country of Uganda.
Larimer County Jail
Authentic Manhood Program
Matthew 25:34-40 Jesus said, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Such profound and humbling words that Jesus spoke about the importance of impacting the world in which we live. Every time I walk in a prison or enter the Larimer County Jail I think of His words to all of us, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
I wanted to give you an update of our new schedule as we bring our Authentic Manhood program here in Fort Collins, Colorado. Tuesday evenings, we are in the work release and community corrections. Wednesday nights, we are in the Larimer County Jail, as well as Thursday afternoons. Would you be so kind as to keep us in your prayers as we have this opportunity to challenge the men to become authentic men of God? We talk about the four pillars of authentic manhood, which are: REJECT PASSIVITY, ACCEPT RESPONSIBILTY, LEAD COUR-AGEOUSLY, INVEST ETERNALLY. Most of these men will face difficult and challenging times as they try to overcome their past and deal with the guilt and shame of where they have been and what they have done. We all have a past and our past does not determine our future. Our message is clear: it is Christ and he was crucified, buried, and rose again. It is about a living and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Author of Life!
Hope for Children’s Jr. School
Kyenjojo District, Uganda
As I get older, it seems like I spend more and more time reflecting on the past and the many opportunities God has provided to this ministry. All the people, stories and memories make me very thankful and grateful for the faithfulness of God. It is coming up on 20 years of working with the people in Uganda—and to think there is still more to do. One person sticks out and her name is Margaret; she lives in a village in the Kyenjojo District. Margaret was my interpreter on many of my visits and for many of our leadership conferences throughout the years. She has been such a wonderful blessing of God and did an amazing job speaking on my behalf to the people of Uganda.
One of Margaret’s new adventures is helping to lead a school called Hope for Children Jr. School with over 300 students. I am so very proud of Margaret and the work she is doing to impact these young students. Margaret is a women of great faith with incredible character. Just as so many people have blessed ETM over the years, it has always been a vision of this ministry to try and bless others around the world. ETM would like to bless Margaret and the school even more in the coming years. If you would like to be a part of that blessing, you can do it through ETM. Just memo any gift with Margaret’s name and we will make sure that all those funds get to the school.
Thanks to each of you for having a world vision to pray and support people like Margaret. When each of us becomes followers of Jesus, our lives change forever. We no longer live for ourselves but we live for Christ. Our will becomes his will and we make ourselves available to be used by him. You have a story and your Father in heaven wants to use your story for his glory!
Margaret and the students of Hope for Children’s Jr. School.
Just a Thought….
Philippians 1:3-11 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
As the Apostle Paul wrote these words from a Roman prison, his heart was filled with love and joy for the amazing believers in Philippi. Paul had started a church there on his second missionary journey. And now he is writing them to thank them for their love, prayers and support for the work he is doing. His words of transparency and honesty are very evident in the verses above. Let’s take a moment and put ourselves in the shoes of the Apostle Paul. Life was not so easy back then. And now he finds himself in prison for his faith. As difficult as that may have been, his words tell us of a man who is filled with joy and grace as he writes to encourage his good friends.
And so I end with these words to each of you on your journey of faith. Keep up the good work that God has called you to. He who began this good work in you will carry it through till the end. May your love abound more and more as you grow in knowledge and insight of the things of God. Amen.