Pastor Joyce Ouko, President of Empower Uganda, and her husband Rev. Julius Ouko recently lead a training in Kasenge, Namawojjolo, Mukono District, Central Uganda. They were hosted by Pastor Dr. Grace Ntale and Apostle Monic Ntale, who also helped facilitate the training. Here is Joyce’s report, edited for space and clarity, on the successful training held at Nissi Discipleship Church in Kasenge.
By Joyce Ouko
Once more we extend our thankfulness to the Empower body of Christ. No one can underestimate the power of prayer, giving and training. Thank you for your endless prayers.
We arrived at the training venue safely although it was raining heavily. Since it was quite near, we hired a car to and fro because it is rainy season here in central Uganda. We were warmly welcomed by our dear hosts Pr Grace and his dear wife Monic together with the participants who had already arrived despite the rain.
After facilitating on the first day, which went very well, we were driven to our hotel. At about midnight, I developed a terrible stomach upset with serious symptoms, by morning I could hardly stand. Julius ran around to nearby dispensaries at 6 a.m. to get me medication. Thanks to God, I started responding to the treatment, I am now better. Thanks for always covering us in prayers before, during or even after the trainings.
The training was well attended with 42 different ministry leaders, including both men and women.
Below are some of the ways the training impacted the leaders:
Pastor Dr. Grace Ntale
Pastor Grace is a lead male experienced pastor and teacher of the Bible in big local gatherings as well as is a veterinary doctor.
Adam was present
His surprise was Genesis 3:6b, “She also gave some to her husband, who was with her.” Pr Grace repented openly followed by other pastors. He said he has been seriously teaching that Adam was very absent, busy with other business when the serpent tempted Eve.
Reading the Bible with a mask
Pr Grace further said that he has been reading that very verse over and over with a mask on his eyes which he calls cultural, religious and a fixed mindset.
He said many people are like that. He strongly challenged leaders and Bible teachers to remove those kinds of masks while reading and studying the Bible in order to get the truth of the Word of God.
Prophet Francis Mugisha
He thanked God for Empower International ministries. He testified that he had not found where Bible verses looked so new. Man was not cursed but suffers the consequences of sin and because we are using the ground that was cursed, we have to toil to get products from it. He continued to thank God for His love for the Church in Uganda and for His right timing of opening our eyes with the biblical truth. “Change is starting with us now,” Prophet Francis said.
Apostle Monic Ntale
Women are created in God’s image just as men
Monic said that this Empower teaching is liberating women from the cultural exploitation and burdens to what God intended them to be, because women are equally created in God’s likeness to honor Him. They can use their gifts and callings to glorify God similarly like men without competing with men.
In conclusion, Empower International Ministry is an answer of transformation to the Church in Uganda. May God continue opening more financial doors. The need is really high.