This was our fourth time to hold such a gathering of all church leaders from accross Lake Victoria’s islands. For the past seven years we’ve worked hard on networking the leaders of around 120 remote island village churches, and momentum is at an all-time high, with many who have sat back for years watching this ministry are now convinced it’s the right thing for them to join. This year over 350 people gathered in the district headquarters of Kalangala to seek the face of God, coming together to build a Church that will transform the islands.
Because we have great regional leaders in all parts of our northwest corner of the lake, the communication to the other leaders in their area was clearly understood and the Monday morning of departure, boats were being filled with dozens of pastors, to travel for the better part of a perfectly calm day (a direct answer to prayer in this tumultuous season on the lake) to reach the conference venue of Kalangala Pentecostal Church. Only one island was overlooked causing their members to miss the conference. Over 150 leaders traveled over vast stretches of lake for many hours in leaky rented boats, while our team from Life Church took the land/ferry route in our van, and Pastor Brent took the speakers on the ferry from Nakiwogo. Many other island pastors joined us on the ship, some from as far away as Mayuge district, near the borders of Kenya.
We spent the first seven months of 2013 on the theme of “Filled with the Spirit” in four regional conferences and for our annual gathering focused on a culmination of this great theme: “Anointed to Serve,” instructing those present in the mission of Jesus revealed in Luke 4:18-19 and encouraging each that they have been anointed of the Holy Spirit for a supernatural purpose as outlined in those verses.
Each of the speakers ministered in a powerful way: whether in stirring the pastors to seek the Holy Spirit, to become servant leaders, to possess greater faith, to care for the sheep in pastoral counseling, to pursue godliness with contentment, or to understand the principles of a godly marriage, each session was of great encouragement, both in main sessions and in workshops for various groups. We had great times of repentance and refreshing in the presence of the Lord–nearly every worship time was a response to the convicting word we had just received. Both Pastor Brent and Pastor Muyanja cast great vision for the future of the Network, with Pastor Muyanja recalling the word of the Lord from 10 years ago about the uniting of Christ’s body in the islands, and even the distant Kenyan and Tanzanian islands assembling to be a part of what God will do with us. Even one of the boat drivers was saved after one of the meetings!
This year’s budget was tight due to financial restraints, but as costs were reduced and the leaders gave generously, there was more than enough to provide for all the needs of the attendees. An offering was given for Pastor Sam Namatiiti who lost a son, and a spontaneous offering was also collected. Regions gave as they were able in money & sacks of food and registration showed the highest committment of any conference so far. We ended with a more quality conference for more people and less money than was spent in previous years.
On our final day, we received 19 new members (making 52 total members of the Island Leadership Network, representing 44 out of 120 churches), with many more applications to be reviewed at future conferences. All of our members knelt and committed themselves to unity as Pastor Baligonzaki prayed for a move of the Holy Spirit on the islands. Pastors came from Mazinga in the south of Uganda and Mayuge in the East. Leaders are hearing of what is happening and are starting to join with us. We see a day when all born again church leaders in the lake are unified as Christ’s body, working together to build a Church that will transform the islands.
We are so thankful for the great support of Life Church in sending five of their main pastors and a team of 15 young adults and providing a financial gift along with their Church vehicle, PA system, musical instruments, generator, projector/laptop, mattresses, plates, name tags, and resource books. Without their great resources provided freely for our use, this conference could not have been successful.
We are thankful for Pastor Joseph Mulindwa, Pastor Jessica Agaba, Pastor David Muyanja, Pastor Robert Kiwombojjo, Pastor John Bamanya (our regional leaders) and Pastor Moses Lubega for their great efforts of mobilization that brought everyone together in such great numbers. This years’ attendance hit the target of senior pastors and their leaders, and over 200 showed their commitment by paying registration/membership fees. There seemed to be a greater understanding of what the network is all about, and their communication has obviously impacted their regions. All of them taught workshops, led devotions, MC’d sessions and worked tirelessly for the conference week, making it a great success.
We are also thankful for Kalangala Pentecostal Church & Pastor Muyanja’s entire team for hosting the conference and making provision for the meeting spaces, accommodation, gathering firewood, preparing food, and for cleaning up after us. The comments from the attending pastors was that everything was an increase from last year’s conference, and the KPC team’s tireless service made it happen. Special thanks to the nearby primary school for the use of their rooms for accomodation and workshops as well.
We are thankful for the generous believers of various American churches who gave over $2,000 and for Pastor Brent’s wife and children who enabled the conference to happen through their personal sacrifices.
We are thankful for the Life Church team who helped everything run smoothly through leading worship, interpretation, purchasing & serving food, driving, taking sick people to the hospital, setting tents, carrying supplies, operating machines, and caring for the needs of the individual speakers. Their eagerness and humility to serve was a blessing to all the leaders present.
Dates are set for next years’ conference, and though there are many areas for improvement, our goal of bringing the leaders together for fellowship, refreshing, equipping, and encouragement was far exceeded as the Holy Spirit ministered to each one. We are excited to hear the reports of advancement in each congregation as time goes on.
Let’s continue to come together to build a Church that will transform the islands.
Brent Earwicker, ILN Director
