T4T in Ibanda

On December 4 (my birthday) Barry and I went to Ibanda, a town about an hour north of Mbarara, to train some church leaders there in an obedience-based discipleship method called T4T (Training For Trainers). On the way we picked up a young man named Charles, a former orphan turned evangelist. Without any training from us, Charles has already started 6 Bible study groups that are potential churches. To hear about his passion for the truth in the face of the false teachings of so many churches here was very encouraging and uplifting.

We went on to an area on the other side of Ibanda where we pulled up to a small building made principally of tree branches and banana leaves with tarps for a roof. This is a new church with an interesting beginning. The leaders of the church had been in a Church of Uganda (Anglican) church and were tired of the false teachings there, so they left and started their own church. We conducted the training in their church for these leaders and several other church members (along with the throng of children and youth who show up whenever you do anything here).

I spent two hours teaching them how to teach and explain the first lesson of T4T, which reviews the gospel, assurance of salvation, and perseverance. By God's grace I was able to teach in a way where they came to really understand and where the whole audience was engaged. Now to pray that they will take that lesson and go out and teach others.

(Pictured at left: two of the pastors) The most encouraging thing, though, was not their connection to the teaching but their love for the truth. False teaching is so prevalent here in Uganda with so very, very, very few who are committed to seeking and following the truth of God's Word (yes, false teaching is prevalent in the US as well, but there are far more people committed to the truth). So many will just accept what they are taught as truth without ever caring as to what the Bible actually says. These men, however, are dedicated to knowing and teaching God's truth. This is a rare discovery indeed.

Please pray as I contemplate weekly discipleship visits to further teach, encourage, and provide vision for these leaders, and pray that God will continue to move them to learn, follow, and proclaim His truth alone.