God desires a mature church. Perfected mentees, hard-working ministers, and edified members are his delight (Ephesians 4:12). They bring such great joy to him, perhaps, because the mature Christian is one who brings the most glory to God, both in their character (who they are) and in their conduct (how they behave). And it was a chief end of Christ in our redemption “that we should bring forth fruit unto God” (Romans 7:4). It is, therefore, a high priority for an established missionary church-plant, such as Bible Baptist Church, to “go on unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1).
Establishing the Ministry
The prospects of this first church-plant look bright. On any given Sunday morning, we can expect to see, on average, over 120 persons present. As is usual in this ministry, however, there have been dramatic and rapid upheavals in the makeup of the church, with, recently, even a few very long-time faithful members falling away. There are, indeed, a good number of converts who have proved extraordinarily faithful despite all trials we experience and continue to endure (like all Biblical churches; 1 Peter 5:9). This is seen best, perhaps, in the fact that about a dozen of our current church members have been saved and serving God faithfully alongside us for over 4 years, about a dozen more for around 3 years, and yet a dozen more for around 2 years. This means that many church attenders have only been around for a few months to just over a year. But in Kampala, the vile and volatile capital of Uganda, for someone to be faithful to church for more than 1 year is nothing short of a miracle
It is fascinating that God has providentially decided to grow the quantity of the church slowly at first, that the overall quality may be high. This is, of course, only what we can see, but we are certain (because we communicate with some of them regularly) that God has hundreds of lives who have been organically (i.e., in person) changed for eternity through this ministry who are now living and serving elsewhere: most in other parts of Uganda or other countries of East Africa, some in Arab countries, a few in Europe, and even a couple in North America (Canada and U.S.)! More signifianctly, however, we have, in faith, lengthened our cords and strengthened our stakes (Isaiah 54:2-3), praying and hastening the day we much hope for when long-lasting multiplicative growth will break forth. “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6).
Our church is right now expereincing a kind-of renaissance in the area of evangelism, where we are becoming more thorough presenting the gospel to the lost, more intentional in getting those new
believers immediately baptized and exhorted to be faithful to church, and more concentrated on personally mentoring the new converts in the basic Christian practices. We gave the gospel to many hundreds in February, and saw 42 believers baptized, almost all of which came to the church property to be baptized right after receiving the gospel message. May God cause that all who receive Christ Jesus the Lord here in Uganda would walk in Him (Colossians 2:6).
Important Developments
Preaching Night. We held a one-time preaching night at the end of February, giving about 15 men the opportunity to preach a 10-minute sermon each (with constructive criticism afterwards). While they still require much more time to learn, a few showed latent talent in the science and art of preaching. Pray for God to give wisdom in the scriptures to these men.
Upcoming Marriages. There are some church marriages which are soon to take place in the next couple months of some faithful members of our congregation. This will be good to begin the process of establishing many family units in the congregation, whereas currently there are only really two married couples in our church. Pray that these marriages would have the blessing of God upon them.
Foundations Class. As discussed a few months prior, we have drafted what we consider will be an improved form of the class for new believers, the “Foundations Class.” The lessons are still being revised, but when the class starts soon, God willing, it will be more rigorous and effective than our old “Discipleship Lessons” we previously taught to many hundreds of people. Pray for divine guidance in finishing the lessons, and divine favor in the starting of the class.
The Blessing of Generosity
Our church, though deeply poor, has experienced multiple opportunities to be generous to one another in this new year. There was recently a marriage “introduction” (an African pre-marriage ceremony) for two of our faithful church members, Joshua and Mercy, which many contributed financially to assist with. They were surely worthy for whom it was done, because they have both been in church, serving Christ, for years. They actually met at church—I (Jesse) led Joshua to Christ, and I (John) led Mercy to Christ, and Christ led Joshua and Mercy to each other!
There was a baby-shower for Angela, soon before the birth of her first baby to come, a girl! And, shortly after, for another devout church member, Simon Peter, there was an emergency surgery (appendectomy). He had to undergo
due to unforeseen medical issues, the cost of which the church sacrificially gave to help with, because he was unable to pay it all. Bible Baptist Church members themselves locally provided funds for these things. And this was all in addition to their regular giving to the church itself, small though their salaries may be. Truly God has blessed us with a magnanimous congregation!
The Bible wisely counsels, “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty” (Proverbs 11:24). This is why we, as a ministry, have adopted a “scatter-and-increase” practice, where whatever we receive, we swiftly employ it in eternal works. Our goal is to take what international donors give, and “seal to them this fruit” (Romans 15:28) by spending their offerings on spiritually significant things. Why should we store up vast sums for the moth to corrupt and the thief to steal (Matthew 6:19-21)? We learned long ago that God does not bless his children financially so that they can increase their standard of living, but rather their standard of giving (see 2 Corinthians 9:8, 11).
This is why we two (Jesse and John) refuse to live lavish lives of luxury. I (Jesse) live in a room on the church compound’s home precisely because it is free to do so (included by necessity in the payment for the rent of the compound where services are held), and I (John) live in a small apartment with my wife near the church, which costs much less than half the rent of the cheap, run-down apartment I used to live in while in America! Though we are certainly not living in poverty, it is noteable that we both eat just two meals a day, own no vehicle, possess no land, have no health insurance (for better or for worse!), and have no financial investments. Our financial life for the past few years in Africa has been largely day-to-day. Truly, silver and gold have we none, but we rejoice and leap for joy for the mansion and crown our beloved Lord Jesus is preparing for us in heaven!
God sees the sacrifices of his children here at Bible Baptist Church for one another, and he certainly sees the sacrifices of those abroad too, that the gospel of God and the word of God might be fully preached here in Africa. Never think your donations to this work are in vain, as they are still the primary financial means God uses to keep this ministry operating. May God abundantly bless the hands that minister to this gospel work in its necessity.