UGANDA: A NEW BEGINNING
On January 18-20, 2018, the First National Conference of The Wesleyan Church of Uganda was held in Busia, Uganda. Dr. Dennis Jackson, Executive Director of Global Partners; Dr. Alfred Kalembo, National Superintendent of the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church of Zambia; Dr. Bob Bagley, Africa Area Director; and Rev. Lucas Hamirie led the conference. Rev. Lucas Hamirie was chosen to be the Bishop of The Wesleyan Church of Uganda. Seven members were elected to be Uganda’s first official national board of administration.
The leaders of The Wesleyan Church in Kenya and in Rwanda also attended the conference, along with representatives from the Wisconsin District who have developed a partnership with Uganda. This was a new beginning for The Wesleyan Church of Uganda.
Dr. Dennis Jackson and Pastor Joseph Maruti who received his graduation certificate.
The second day of the conference began with a march through Busia, led by the leaders of the church, complete with a band and banners. Many pastors from other churches in Busia also came to witness the new beginning. Together we celebrated the graduation of the Wesleyan Bible Institute students, the ordination of new pastors, and the installation of the new board of administration.
This was the Wesleyan Bible Institute’s second graduating class with 13 students receiving certificates at the national conference. Some of those who graduated began studying as far back as 2005. Others began in September 2016.
The ordination service followed with 12 pastors being ordained. They not only completed the courses needed for ordination, but they had also served in church ministry and been approved for ordination.
There are now 21 ordained elders in The Wesleyan Church of Uganda! Three of The Wesleyan Church leaders from Kenya were also ordained, including the first female, Rev. Anna Omondi. Dr. Dennis Jackson challenged everyone from Hebrews 12 to run the race with perseverance.
The Wesleyan Church of Uganda has been under the authority of the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church of Zambia. Now, after their first national conference, they will stand on their own. A new page in the history of The Wesleyan Church of Uganda has been written.
Above Picture: Ordination of 12 pastors
Bishop Rev. Hamirie and his family at the Wesleyan Bible Institute graduation.