Benon Update

We also take this moment to give thanks for the time and service of Pr. Jimmy Okello. It was a joy to see him off in a warm and celebratory gathering, appreciating his faithful contribution to the work, particularly in church and community mobilisation in Northern Uganda. As he continues in his pastoral calling, we pray that the Lord will strengthen and guide him in all that lies ahead.

At the same time, we are pleased to welcome Richard Aipikor, who has now taken on the role. Richard brings with him a wealth of experience in church-based community transformation, discipleship, and leadership development. He has served extensively with LIFE Ministry Uganda, led Jesus Film outreach initiatives, and more recently played a key role in pioneering holistic church-led development across multiple districts including Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, and Omoro. We are confident that Richard will be a great asset in advancing the Church and Community Mobilisation Process (CCMP) work in Northern Uganda and in strengthening collaboration with BMS and church partners.

In our livelihoods work, we are intentionally engaging local churches as key partners in strengthening economic resilience within their communities. Praise The Lord, The installation of the maize mill in Gulu marks a significant milestone for CEK CAM—serving not only as an income-generating initiative, but also as a practical expression of the Church responding to community need. Alongside this, we continue to support farmer groups and savings groups, often mobilised through church networks. We are seeing that when the Church is equipped, it becomes a catalyst for both spiritual and economic restoration.

Our GBV work continues to be rooted within trusted community and church spaces, where individuals feel safe to speak and seek support. We are deliberate on equipping church leaders and community structures to recognise, respond to Domestic Violence (DV), and help prevent violence—ensuring that the Church becomes a place of refuge, advocacy, and restoration. BMS through the Gender Justice department has enabled me to join a six-week course on Standing Against Domestic Violence and one way this is already helping me is to identify presence of DV in church set ups which would otherwise go unseen. This integrated approach is helping to build both immediate support systems and long-term change in attitudes and behaviours.

On a personal note, Dorothy and I continue to be grateful for God's faithfulness in our family and ministry. The children have settled well into the school term, and we appreciate your continued prayers for their growth in wisdom, character, and faith. We now have a name for our Church Fellowship-Ambassadors of Christ (a name we have always had through the activities Dorothy was doing with the young people in our community, please pray for its continuous spiritual growth as God continues to entrust us with the numbers of those who are coming to faith. Your prayers remain a great source of strength and encouragement to us.

At the heart of all our work is a desire to see the Church actively living out its calling within the community. Through church and community mobilisation processes, we are continuously supporting congregations to rediscover their identity as agents of transformation—engaging with local challenges, mobilising local resources, and demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways. This journey requires patience and discipleship, but we are encouraged by growing ownership, local leadership, and a deepening understanding that transformation begins from within the community itself.

We would greatly value your prayers for Uganda—that there will be continued peace following the election season, and for wise, just, and accountable leadership; for JLH, that God will grant us wisdom and clarity as we strengthen our systems and align our programmes for long-term impact; for our livelihoods work, especially the sustainability of the maize mill and strengthened economic resilience through church-linked groups; for our GBV and protection work, that there will be healing, protection, and stronger church and community responses to violence; for church engagement through CCMP, particularly for Richard as he settles into his role and for continued growth in church-led transformation in Northern Uganda; for our staff and leadership, that we will walk in unity, wisdom, and strength in this season; and for our family, that we may continue to experience God's guidance, provision, and growth in faith. Also pray for me as I prepare to submit my Visa Application for UK for travel sometime in summer.

Thank you once again for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and partnership. We are continually reminded that we are not alone in this work, and we give thanks to God for each one of you.

With gratitude and every blessing,

Benon