Gospel “making a difference” in Uganda
Expanding from 14 churches in 1993 to 50 today, one native ministry in Uganda reports that the gospel of Jesus Christ is making headway in that central African nation.
“This is a place where the devil has people bound,” says the ministry’s leader, explaining how the enemy has used the tribal system to keep the people divided. “They worship whatever god they know. But the power of the true God is breaking those barriers. The gospel is making a difference.”
The results are significant. In one church, he reports, there are five army captains and nine lieutenants who have become Christians. The church also reaches out to local policemen.
Another target for the ministry is the country’s school and college students. “We’ve seen the Lord Jesus touch them,” the missionary says. “We’ve seen people turn to the Lord.”
Christianity has grown much in Uganda over the last 30 years. Self-professing Christians account for nearly 89 percent of the population with evangelical Christians being 18 percent, almost three times the percentage of just 30 years ago.
“I don’t know what the Lord will do this year or next,” the missionary says, “but we’re seeing growth in the churches.”
The growth has occurred despite a reign of terror in the 1970s that saw 27 Christian and other religious groups closed down by the government of Idi Amin. About 400,000 Christians of various denominations were killed, disappeared, or fled the country during that time.
Since then, many people in Uganda have opened their hearts to Christ, thanks in part to prayer and financial support from the West.
“God uses people to make a difference and make things happen,” the missionary says, referring to those around the world who pray for the Ugandan church. “I am convinced we are all brothers.”
This man of God says many Ugandans are eager to hear the Word but points out that there is a price the missionaries pay to accomplish the work. Many are away from the families for two weeks out of each month.
“That, however, is a sacrifice we are willing to make,” he says, “because of the results we are seeing.”