Dear Beloved Supporter,
15 years ago we moved to Uganda with a heart to help the people of Uganda know, love, and follow Jesus Christ. Today, because of your faithful support and love we together are seeing God do far more than what we could have asked or imagined. We are praising God and standing in awe of the work God has and is doing. We would have never imagined shepherding 400 village people through our local church (Community Bible Church of Kubamitwe), educating 450 kids each year through a primary school (Legacy Christian Academy), training 60 pastors each year through our pastoral training center (Shepherds Training Center), helping provide spiritual encouragement and direction to the high potential Baptist Union of Uganda and Baptist Convention of South Sudan (Church Strengthening Department), and emergency medical care and love to the people of Uganda, most especially those affected by disabilities (as a Joni and Friends hub and as part of our Community Outreach Department). In God’s kindness, He is blessing our ministry. It just affirms the fact that the fields of Uganda are white unto harvest.
When we came to live in Uganda 15 years ago, our hearts broke over the desperate need for spiritual help needed throughout the country. Today our hearts are full because God is causing miracles all around us to make this happen.
And despite COVID, this year has also been very fruitful. Just like in the States, Uganda enforced restrictions. The government shut down the borders and prevented anyone in our village from leaving. For two months we were not even allowed to get in a vehicle. As a result, for 7 months, SOS had to shut down its official ministry programs including our school, training center, and normal local church service. To not shut down would have resulted in extreme government measures being inflicted on our organization.
Yet, during this time, we still paid all of our employees and still actively sought to disciple our ministry teams and urgently get caught up on needed administrative tasks (such as finalizing our accreditation for Shepherds Training Center). And in June we were able to reopen our administrative offices and welcome back our essential administrative and facilities employees.
I personally wrote weekly Bible studies that were passed out through our village leaders to the people throughout our villages and started what we called a “discipleship initiative”. This program focused on discipling anyone wanting discipleship within our village. The end result was immense growth and unity among our church people and ministry team. We have seen many of our leaders and villages rise up and start leading their own community members and families. It has been awesome! Only God can turn such crazy times into such sweet kingdom impact. Church has now been able to reopen in two simultaneous services of 200 congregants each.
While 2020 has not gone exactly as planned, we are thankful for the work God continues to manifest here in Uganda. We are also not unaware of the trials you have faced back in the US. We have heard stories of jobs lost and even dear saints going home to be with the Lord. Despite all the hardships, the Lord is still working. Please let us know how we can pray for you and know that we are so thankful for your faithful support of SOS Ministries. Thank you!
For those who are able, we wanted to make you aware of a few opportunities to get involved!
We are now expanding our ministry! We are building a secondary school (equivalent to a Jr. High and High School) to begin next year which will allow us to fully train our community children from kindergarten through high school. We are also building our phase two and three of our pastoral training center (which include 90 family units). This will enable us to fully equip national pastors to be able to plant churches within the Baptist Union upon graduation. Our prayer is that in the next 5 years we will be able to have these buildings fully built out. This will allow us to disciple 750 children and 220 pastors each year.
So if you have extra resources or are willing to give sacrificially and would desire to help us with these capital needs we would be greatly appreciative. Or if you or someone you know can help monthly, your help would be greatly appreciated.
Your gift will give more people the opportunity to know, love, and follow Christ.
Thank you for giving to us so that we can love others in need. We praise God for you and your partnership with us in reaching our dear friends in Uganda for Christ.
For the King and kingdom,
Shannon Hurley
Founder, SOS Ministries
PS. December is a critical month for us, would you send your gift by December 31st? Thank you!
