Empower Uganda President Pastor Joyce Ouko and her husband Rev. Julius Ouko, along with Pastor Kinyera Mike, recently facilitated an Empower training for 53 participants in Kampala Uganda. Joyce sent us the following report about this very effective training. Here is her report, edited for length and clarity.
On behalf of EIM, Uganda, we would like to extend our gratitude to EIM family for your constant support towards the Empower trainings. We know it is a great sacrifice.
God has been so gracious to us in the way that amidst church leader’s busy schedules as individuals, churches and communities, they are able to spare time for Empower training.
The training was held at Pentecostal Evangelical Revival Ministry Church, in Kireka, Kampala. We were so encouraged by the turn out of the participants, comprised of pastors and their spouses and church leaders, with 53 participants total.
Participants were eager to learn. A few of the highlights of the training included discussion and discovery about the following:
- The theological training material, food and drinks
- The true meaning of the word ”SUBMISSION”
- Man and woman are not cursed.
- The marriage is blessed with or without children
- Both man and woman were created in the image of God
- Both man and woman were present when the serpent tempted.
- Both man and woman possess and have dominion of God’s creation.
- Woman is not a property
- Restoration of God’s ideal for family/husband and wife.
Here are some of the responses of participants:
Rev. Elobu Charles said that he thanks God for this well researched theological training material. He says that the content is well organized deeply impacting Christian leaders, families and communities.
He also further thanked Empower International Ministries for the biggest contribution for food during the training, which makes one fully settled to be taught and participate.
Even as a pastor, William Ebidu said he had thought submission meant one person being above, and the other below. But this training helped him to understand the biblical meaning of submission. He learned that submission is raising your friend from their weakness, or need, to where God intends her or him to be. In the same way it is to acknowledge that we need the other person where we are weak to support us to be where God wants us to be.
He said he understood that marriage is meant to be a face-to-face relationship, not considering the woman to be under or behind. He added that the teaching corrects the misunderstanding of headship by culture as superior, boss, all in all and creates restoration for the ideal family God intended.
Mrs. Dinah Naluga Ogwang is a part of the “Baganda” central Uganda culture, which teaches that women submit to a man by attaching him to the kingship honor. The training opened her eyes biblically that both man and woman are to submit to one another other. She said that as a result of the training, she will give her husband respect but not with a worship attitude.
Mrs. Franka Amito Anywar is an Acholi woman. The Acholi culture strongly declares that a woman is the man’s property. But in the training, she came to understand that the Bible teaches that a woman is a blessing from God, not a property. She is starting by believing in herself then humbly sharing with those around her.
Pastor Denis Omita testifies that he came to understand that both man and woman are equal before God, both created in His image. This helps him to know how to relate and talk to his wife as a blessing from God. Denis said that this is helping the church and family to get back to God’s original purpose for marriage and family which influences the church and community.
Denis and Elizabeth are from northern Uganda.
Pastor Laker Possible was happy to learn that man and woman are not cursed. She has been carrying the burden and condemnation that both man and woman were cursed by God, but she read clearly in the Bible that God did not pronounce a curse on mankind because they are His image.
Rev. Boniface Opio was particularly moved by the teaching that a marriage is blessed with or without children. He can now defend any marriage not as culture does. He clearly came to know that God loves each individual despite their birth status, God loves and blesses a couple even without children or having same sex children.
Pastor Ronald Masaba was surprised to learn that both man and woman were present when the serpent tempted in the garden. For the first time, he read the verses in Genesis intentionally and discovered that Adam was present the serpent was talking his wife Eve, not only the woman as it has been believed.
In conclusion, EIM, is not just a teaching but a transforming ministry.
Blessings
Joyce Ouko
President, EIM, Uganda.