Would you prefer a printable PDF? Sign up here to get PDF copies of these letters by email.
Jimmy Okello
November 2024
Introduction
Please note - This was written in November but due to technical issues it was delayed in reaching the BMS office. Jimmy will be writing another letter shortly, but we are pleased to share with you his introductory letter.
Dear Friends,
I’m thrilled to write this first letter to greet you all! Being my first letter, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself and the work I do for the Lord here in Uganda.
I serve with Justice, Livelihoods and Health (JLH) as the Church Engagement Worker. My role involves directing the Church Engagement Project (CEP), which currently provides Bible training to 65 pastors and church leaders from the Nwoya Baptist Association in northern Uganda.
I also support our Church and Community Mobilization Process (CCMP) in Gulu, where we are working with 17 churches, equipping them to identify and address community challenges using local resources. Additionally, I provide spiritual support to the JLH team through prayer, counseling, and organizing our staff devotions.
I work part-time with JLH—three days a week—and when I’m not there, I serve as the lead pastor of University Community Church, a Baptist church ministering to the Gulu University community. Here, we focus on making disciples among university students and families in the surrounding area.
I’m deeply grateful for your faithful prayers and support. This past month has been full of God’s grace, and we couldn’t do this without you!
Recently, we completed Term 5 of the CEP, continuing with 65 pastors and church leaders from the Nwoya Baptist Association. It’s amazing to see these leaders grow in their knowledge of God’s Word. We even had two of our best students teach sessions, and it was refreshing to hear them clearly articulate a biblical understanding of scripture. We’re looking forward to completing Term 6 in November and hope to celebrate their graduation in December or January 2025. What a joyful milestone that will be!
We also held a CCMP training on Resource Mobilization for leaders from the 17 churches we’re partnering with. The most exciting moments were when participants realized the variety of resources God has provided them to address local community needs.
Prayer Requests:
● Pray for safety on the road as we navigate transportation challenges, since the churches are far apart, and it takes time to travel their roads.
● Please pray for resources to complete the CEP with the Nwoya Baptist Association.
● Pray that the churches receiving Resource Mobilization training will have open hearts to embrace these insights.
● Pray for God’s grace to help me balance work, rest, and family life.
God is continually at work here in Uganda, and we’re excited for what lies ahead. Isaiah 52:7 reminds us, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” I’m reminded that, whether we’re equipping pastors to grow their capacity or training churches to see their God-given resources, together with your support, we are proclaiming the gospel and declaring, “Our God reigns.”
Blessings,
Jimmy Okello
Church Engagement Worker Justice, Livelihoods, and Health Uganda.