Glad Tidings Bible College Graduation 2014

The celebration began the day before, with a beautiful session of worship and fellowship led by continuing students that got the graduands reminiscing about their own good old days at the Glad Tidings Bible College (GTBC). As we sang and danced for the Lord, the words of the Psalmist returned to me with new meaning: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1).

 The introductions were thereafter made, jokes and laughter shared while we sat in the beautiful white tent reminiscent of those Paul the apostle used to make! Later the Principal, Rev. Jackson Ntulume-Kyeswa poured out his heart about principles of spiritual leadership; challenging graduands to be selfless leaders, leaders of integrity, leaders that never cease to learn, leaders that are servants rather than seeking to be served, and leaders that will never take for granted their calling and gifts.  He recalled how Samson had tried to shake himself free from his enemies only to realise too late that the Lord had left him (Judges 16:20). Samson had become complacent and reckless, and as ministers they too had to watch out and keep their eyes on the Lord lest they end up like Samson.

The Principal's edifying words were followed by a sumptuous and scrumptious dinner that gave us an early taste of the Messianic banquet! I took more than my fair share to the extent that my legs nearly collapsed under the weight of a full belly! The evening was a perfect dress rehearsal for the big grad day the next day.

Valedictory speeches

The graduation ceremony took place in the main auditorium of Makerere Full Gospel Church, which was shining like the stars with creative decorations. The women ululated joyously as the graduands in their flamboyant academic gowns complete with hoods took their seats.

The number of graduands was 49: three for a Certificate in Christian Ministry, two got a Diploma in Christian Ministry, 35 earned a Diploma in Theology while nine were awarded a Bachelors of Arts degree in Bible and Theology. Of the 49, it was two-cheers for the 13 of them who graduated with honours, while Lawoko Jimmy was the recipient of the Christo Award for his exemplary character.

 I was deeply inspired by the eloquence of Peter Michael Oumo who came on top of the Diploma class and was chosen to speak on behalf of his classmates. He gave God all the glory for bringing them this far, and challenged his colleagues to be at their best as they advance the Kingdom of God.

I got a photo opportunity with Peter Michael Ouma, the best Diploma student

 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved; a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth," he said quoting 2 Timothy 2: 15, adding that, indeed, one of the reasons for joining GTBC was to learn more about correct handling of God's word. "We are grateful that this college has given us quality, well-balanced and yet practical theological and ministry training. We have gone through drilling and grilling. We have been tried and tested and found well-baked. We have completed individual and group assignments; done tests and examinations. We have also been trained in practical ministry through weekend missions as well as field assignments or attachment in different churches."

Being a student at GTBC myself, I nodded in agreement as Peter Michael talked of the all-encompassing training they received in spiritual leadership, evangelism, counselling, prayer and deliverance, spiritual warfare, praise and worship, church strategy, to mention a few. He ended saying that there is no excuse for settling into a less-than exemplary ministry wherever the Lord has called each one of them to serve Him, since "to whom much is given much is required" (Luke 12:48).

Give the world your best

Another Valedictorian, Francis Githinji  Gathege, representing the degree graduands talked of how he is already on the mission field applying what he learned at GTBC. In fact, he had been in Ghana, in Santrokofi Benua, a village in the Volta region, developing an audio recording of the New Testament Bible in the heart language of a tribe called Selee.

Francis Githinji Gathege

"Brothers, think of what we were when we were called. Not many of us were wise according to human standards, not many were powerful, and not many were of noble birth. Nevertheless, look at what we have achieved through God! We are being honoured, and feted today," he said, paraphrasing the words of Paul the apostle in 1 Corinthians 1: 26. "During the training, we have received great wisdom and knowledge, and not from a worldly platform but from Christ through the diligent and dynamic academic curriculum, offered at GTBC. Instructors did not just share their intellectual proficiencies but also offered their life experiences and friendships as well."

That Gathege came all the way from Kenya to study at GTBC, first for his Diploma, and later for his Diploma testifies of the pedigree of the College and the holistic training it is known for across the continent. He spoke heartily about the conducive learning environment at the College that enabled him to excel, the well-equipped library, the relevant syllabus and the studies that he said "revolutionised our mindsets and set our paths in a new course of destiny."

Gathege added: "Our ministries will never be the same again because our axes have been sharpened forthwith. Our society will experience a difference in the clerical arena because of the preparation we have received, and just like Gideon in Judges 7 had a worthy team selected by God, we have graduates today who are an army of the Lord already equipped, tested, trained, and ready for the onward mission of winning and discipling the world to Christ."

Gathege challenged his fellow graduands to pursue nothing but excellence: "We cannot afford to play mediocre after receiving such knowledge and academic exposure. We need to be relevant to the needs of the people today more than ever before, if the Pentecostal movement is to hold any water in the society. I challenge each one of us to seek new frontiers of ministry to conquer in the world over…our exposure to the world of academia should motivate us to explore the earth in pursuit of service to God and to humankind, in obedience to the Great Commission."

He also called on his fellow graduands to draw inspiration from Paul's words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:14 by seeking to be approved of God, working without shame and handling the word of truth correctly and redefining the value of Christian ministry.

It was evident, in his speech and gestures, that Gathege will forever be grateful for the minister GTBC has transformed him into. He considers it his duty and the duty of fellow graduands to keep helping the College to take its vision to the next level. Thus he appealed to the college administration to engage the alumni in its development agenda so that they can support it financially especially in this age when donor fatigue is sweeping through the western nations that were previously a source of funding.

Gathege ended with a quote from Mother Teresa of Calcutta that captures the essence of serving humanity unconditionally: "People are often unreasonable and self-centred, forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives, be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you, be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous, be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow, do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough, give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."

'Go and do likewise'

This was the title of the fiery address to the graduands from the Guest of Honour, Ps. Dr. Richard Epiu. I was amazed to learn that this towering man with a commanding presence and a voice to match, is a former national heavy-weight boxing champion who got saved by grace in March 1977 and has since been ministering to God's people and training preachers on top of being a pastor at Deliverance Church, among other Kingdom assignments.

Drawing from 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Ps Epiu charged the graduands to be strong, teach others what they have learned and to remain focused on fulfilling their call. He related the story of John, a brilliant young man who graduated from Bible College and returned to his former church with the confidence that with his qualifications, he deserved more respect, that doors of opportunity would fling open in his face, that he would earn better, and so forth. Alas it was not to be for John as he immediately faced opposition from some church deacons who felt threatened by his qualifications and hunger to serve. Rarely was John given an opportunity to preach and whenever it came, they criticised his preaching instead of praising it. Even when they gave him a position in church, it was on voluntary basis and John had to struggle to find other means of putting bread on his table. Ps Epiu basically saying that ministry is challenging and even more difficult than we anticipate, so graduands will need to heed Paul's advice to Timothy to be strong even in the midst of hardships, and lean on the Lord in order to succeed.  He challenged them to have the mentality of a farmer who keeps labouring and never gives up even when some seasons are very bad.

He also advised the graduands to emulate Paul's habit of passing on to others whatever he received from the Lord. "Paul kept away nothing." Likewise they must continue the chain-link of teaching others until the Lord comes back.

"It's your responsibility to teach what you have learned to others; do not withhold what you have received, for you never know what God does in whom you preach the Gospel," said Ps Epiu, adding that the man who led Billy Graham to Christ never knew how much God would use this new convert. Evangelist Graham has won arguably more people to Christ than any other minister that has ever lived!

Ps Epiu said that in today's fast-moving world, the hardest thing to keep is focus. There are so many things clamouring for our attention. He therefore charged the graduands to stay focused; serve God single-mindedly like a soldier who refuses to entangle himself in civilian pursuits so as to please his master.

He urged them to run the race according to the rules, lest as Paul said, they preach to many but in the end get disqualified themselves. This was an appeal to character and integrity, which a true minister of the gospel must espouse. Good was not good enough for Paul, said Ps Epiu, as he charged the graduands to reject mediocrity and seek to excel while using Jesus as the yardstick for excellence in all affairs.

Special music, awards, the cake

After Guest Speaker sat down, there was special music from The New Redeemed Church of God – Kabowa Choir, who alternated with the GTBC Student Choir led by Joseph Sseremba, to keep the audience in the spirit with praise and worship. The graduands were then awarded their certificates, diplomas and degrees amid ululations.

GTBC Student Choir in a moment of praise

 There was a cake too, which was cut and served by the graduands-turned-graduates! It was a humbling gesture, reminiscent of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. I have tasted many cakes in my life nothing comes close to the deliciousness of the GTBC Grad Cake 2014! I was tempted to think it was baked by the angel of God that baked the cake Elijah was fed on after he had collapsed running for his life from Jezebel!

Dear yesterday's graduates and now alumni of GTBC, may the good Lord continue to keep you and bless you as you minister to His people, being the true salt of the earth and the light of the world. As the Dean Rev. Patrick Ndyanabo advised, it is by bearing good fruit that you will make a difference, and defeat the confusion and falsehoods being orchestrated by false prophets that have come into the world in sheep cloths. 

He makes all things beautiful

When I was still a little boy there were no better times that I enjoyed than being in church. We were living in Kabale back then. In fact, I wanted to become like Fr. Wence, the popular priest who led Sunday Mass in a classic singsong voice. Fr. Wence also had a red Wolkswagen Beetle that made me the envy of my peers when he gave my father and I a lift in it one day.

Fr. Wence's Beetle

When my father was transferred to Bushenyi, I entertained the idea of joining St. Mukasa Preparatory Seminary, Mushanga – the only foundation I knew of any boy who wanted to become a priest.  But as I was born in "sin" (out of wedlock), the school could not admit me, and just like that my cherished dream went with the wind.

Secondary school life soon knocked on my door, with it the adrenaline of teenage life. It was time to run after girls, jump threw windows in the thick of darkness to go dancing, and generally do crazy things crazy adolescents do.

The next thing I knew, I was a university student at Makerere, doing a radio show on Campus FM, and writing a small newspaper column in The Monitor newspaper called Campus Beat which captured the craziest and snazziest of university life. I was basically a celebrity, and a point of reference as far as applying what we were being taught in the journalism class was concerned.

Doing a show at Campus FM where I was a student presenter

But not even the money and status I was frolicking in as a handsome young man of enviable talent could fill the hole in my heart.  Happiness was elusive. So was inner peace. One dark Sunday, I sat long in my room staring at my haggard and crooked silhouette on the wall. Before me, on an open page of my journal were two words: "a whip." It was my summary description of life!

I was fed up of the emptiness and general rootlessness, fleshly lusts and the aggravating fantasies that clomoured in my despairing heart. I could not understand how I could feel so alone in a gigantic world filled with over six billion people.

Longing for something to quiet the tumult of my spirit, I took a stroll in the direction of some vibrant beats until I found myself in front of Mitchell Hall where a crusade was taking place. When the music stopped, a bearded preacher with a voice that amplified like super subwoofers, stepped to the podium and started preaching hyper-actively.

Paradoxically, I don't remember what his sermon was about but when he made the alter call, I stepped forward. I knew was it was time to forget worldly allurements and embrace the Lord. I knew that my pillow would no longer be drenched by my secret tears night after night.  I knew without any shadow of doubt that the joy of the Lord was going to become mine.

It's been years since that day. I have had my moments of weakness but I am not the seed that fell among thorns and choked out the tender blades after germination. The Lord blotted out my transgressions according to His loving kindness and renewed the right spirit within me like David of old. The silhouette on my wall is no longer haggard and crooked. 

But even more, the Lord who grants the desires of our hearts has revived my childhood dream—in a different way. I am a first year student of Theology at Glad Tidings Bible College, and this is just the beginning of Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour making all things beautiful in His time.

What a Bowl of Soup Can Accomplish

Oh man, today's message at church this morning just messed me up! It was drawn from Psalm 25: 10 "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies." And I want to share with you my understanding of it and maybe you’ll glean something that will transform your life and somebody's!

The preacher (I forget his name but he's an American who has been in ministry for over 40 years), started by narrating a story of his wife. She had long lost contact with her best high school friend, an orphan. When she found her years later, the friend was married to a man who too was orphaned, and they were living in depressing poverty with their five children. When the pastor heard the story, he told his congregation and they joined hands and bought groceries and cloths to the needy family. Because no one had ever shown them such mercy and friendship, the family was so moved that it started attending church and eventually got saved.

"...I was in prison and you came to see me..."

It's this kind of mercy, accompanied by the truth of the gospel that Jesus Christ calls every believer to demonstrate, said the Pastor. Jesus already gave us the precedence, so there's no saying I don't know how to begin. This we find in Acts 10:38 which tells us God anointed Jesus Christ with the Holy Ghost and with power and He went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.

This power and anointing is at the disposal of every believer as John 14: 12 affirms: "The truth is, anyone who believes in Me will d the same works I have done, and even greater works because I go to be with the Father."

In a world that is desperately seeking answers, a world that has seen men of stature seek riches and power from shrines and others commit suicide, a world that sees many homeless children coming to lodge on the streets, what are we Christians really doing about it?

The adage – "better late than never" – is timely in situations like these. We can transform the world by demonstrating God's mercy and truth. Many make the mistake splashing money at the expense the other important ingredient: truth. Truth challenges us to live pure lives; to be Christ-like because it's when we are that we don't boast. Philanthropy though legitimate is not a ticket to heaven. It's only by grace that we get there lest any man boasts (Ephesians 2:8). The act of mercy is ineffective without truth just like truth on its own will not accomplish what mercy will.

Just in case somebody has not grasped this little word "mercy", I looked up its synonyms in my Encarta dictionary and this is what I found: compassion, forgiveness, kindness, sympathy, humanity, understanding, generosity, benevolence, grace, blessing, relief, godsend, etc…

You have to agree with me that God, through His Son Jesus Christ was the epitome of demonstrating all these. And He has designed us to do likewise. Isaiah 58:7 says: "I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help."

Proverbs 3:3 also challenges us not to let mercy and truth depart from us: "Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart." The beauty about this is it comes with great rewards, as verse 4 affirms: "Then you shall find favour, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight of God and man."

Now, I want to pose a question: How many of us professing Christian really go out of our comforts to pray for, encourage, support, be gracious and look kindly on others? I don't know about you but I don't remember when I last took a bowl of soup to a sick neighbour!

See, you really don't have to be rich like Charles Mbire to help, or a Robert Kayanja to know and share the truth. As the Pastor said, "If you set your mind to it, everyday you'll be able to do something good for somebody."

So let's not stop at being Sunday Christians but everyday Christians striving to be Christ-like. Step out today with a purpose to show mercy and truth. I leave you with something from Matthew 25: 34-40: 

"Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited Me into your home. I was naked and you clothed Me. I was sick and you cared for Me. I was in prison and you visited Me. Then these righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give You a drink, or a stranger and give You hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will tell them, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it for me."

Will the Real Men Please Stand Up

This week, I got the privilege of reading the book Strong Men in Tough Times by Edwin Louis Cole and was amazed by its immediate relevance to the Ugandan situation today, and the role we men must play to rescue our country and ourselves from the rough socio-economic times we are facing. I would like particularly to share with you from the first chapter of the book, and will in the subsequent days look at other chapters as well.  

The strong men of Makerere Full Gospel Church

The author begins by citing countries like South Africa, Norway, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, England, Mexico and Philippines that are morally and spiritually decaying. Uganda is not innocent either. In fact, the tough economic times; the rising costs of foodstuffs like sugar and other basic needs, the unemployment, the carnage on the roads, the mysterious fires and recent earthquakes are to me writings on the wall that this country is under judgment. Makes me wonder how we came to this point; where are the men that are supposed to be strong pillars in society? Where are they at this time when, as the author observes, the “call for strong men is louder or the need greater” than never before?

I’ll tell you where all the men are! The men have been duped into believing that to be a real you must drive a big car, live in a mansion by the lake, take your children to international schools complete with holidays abroad. All this, unfortunately, puts the pressure on the man to be financially loaded all the time, and so integrity has been thrown out of the window as men have employed the Machiavellian principle of the end justifying the means in a bid to sustain this expensive and often ostentatious lifestyle and be seen as ‘super-man providers!’ The author captures it beautifully when he notes: “In the quest for self-fulfilment, self-awareness and self-gratification, masses of men have lost what it means to be a man, a hero, a leader. We have sold morality for economic privilege…in frustration we have succumbed to the stresses of eroded manhood and lost our ideals to immoral, illegal, unethical or irresponsible actions.”

“The world is crying for strong men who will overcome drifting philosophies and bring order, hope and dignity back to a world in desperate need of men who will be heroes.” These are men who will refuse to conform to the status quo. Men who recognise the vanity of worldly things and the significance of storing oneself treasures in heaven where moths don’t reach. These men stand as strong pillars in their homes, their church and their society and refuse to get carried away just because the world is making spectacular progress in science and technology –two disciplines that have led many astray. We refuse to be compromised. We refuse to equivocate in a bid to please people! I mean, of what use is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul in hell?

Truth to tell, honest men with noble intentions are being attacked by from all sides by forces of darkness -those that try to bring their children up as responsible, law-abiding, morally upright citizens. But then again it’s in such situations that the boys are separated from the men, chaff from wheat.  In the prayer closet, a real man has the power to demolish the enemy walls. You know what the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person is capable of!

Yes, the world is in desperate need of men whose manhood has not been emasculated. God created men to be leaders and heroes, writes Edwin Louis Cole, and to be effective in our roles, he gave us manhood. And I don’t mean the physical organ with which babies are made. No thank you! True manhood is that inner strength with which you resist the devil even to the point of death. Cole argues that there’s no excuse because Jesus set a precedence that must be emulated. He “exemplified the traits of manhood so elusive to us today…He accepted responsibility not only not only for His own actions, but for the actions of the entire world.” Is He your role model? Make Him, because He is the one that “teaches men on how to rise to greatness, to become real men, to achieve the heroic successes we dream of achieving.”

Daniel was another strong man real men should emulate, a man who in tough times used the godly principles of Christ and influenced the world. As Cole beautifully writes, “He held firm to his religious beliefs, faced the grim realities of the age and contended for truth in a world of lies and false images. He was endowed with attributes that make men great –integrity, moral excellence, character, a God-fearing spirit, political savvy, immeasurable courage, decisiveness and a strong, handsome appearance that emanated from a strong spirit. He lived during persecution, political upheaval and oppression; survived conspiracies against him, false accusations, near-fatal encounters, economic disaster and war. He was a strong man for the tough times in which he lived” and “serving God was his nature.”

Listen, 1 Peter 5: 8-10 says man’s enemy, the devil, is always prowling about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. The real man must resist him and stand firm in the faith and refuse to back down even in the midst of the fiery furnace. What our forefathers in Christendom endured was far more trying than the perplexing times we’re living in. Besides, we’re reminded we’re not alone; our brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called us to his eternal glory in Christ, after we’ve suffered a little while, will Himself restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast. Oh yes, weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning!

“For men to be men once again, we must regain the spirit of manhood in virility and integrity, the power of manhood in productivity and leadership, the conviction of manhood in resolve and moral excellence,” advises Cole.

The 3 Keys to Revival

During the youth-led overnight on Friday, we were challenged to rediscover our zeal for Christ Jesus and walk consistently with Him as I here below report 
 

It was a wholesomely blessed Friday night at Makerere Full Gospel Church during the youth-led overnight. The blessedness of it all for me was in the sharing by the church administrator, David Kamugisha, who gave us three 'Keys to Revival' and challenged us to continue praying for revival in the land.

His sharing was drawn from Hosea 10: 12 –"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."

The three keys to revival he gave are:
i) Sow yourselves righteousness
ii) Break up your unplowed grounds
iii) It’s time to seek the Lord.

His portrayal of the wickedness of the heart, or natural man's desperate inclination to evil, was meticulous as he challenged and exhorted us to take an effort and sow righteousness like a farmer picks a hoe to break the ground and sow. "It's the renewed man who can seek the Lord," he said.

He said our lives can sometimes go fallow even when you're an intercessor and Sunday school teacher! Here he touched a sensitive nerve; how we can sometimes drift into routine without even knowing it and turn worshiping God into a religion. But God's looking for worshipers to worship in Him in truth and spirit, so the quick prayer you and I mumble every morning's not be enough. We're basically too busy for God, for which our lives have become "fallow." I've just checked this word in the dictionary –and to be fallow means to be "currently inactive." Synonyms include: unseeded, unused, untilled, barren, unproductive, idle, inactive…

See, sometimes after a day of fasting or praying in tongues, we relax and it takes another week before we get in the spirit again. Look at the few church members that attend overnights. How are we going to learn from each other and grow in unity and understanding, exhorting and learning from one another? Of course it's true that the business and busy-ness of the world have oftentimes unavoidably kept us away, but that's inexcusable because truly knowing the Lord we serve means putting Him first in everything, and risking to lose our jobs or even close family ties for His sake. Hosea warns us to plow the unplowed ground that when rain from Above comes down, it'll find a well-tilled spiritual ground to permeate.

We cannot afford to let our lives be hardened like some untilled land. As Kamugisha advised, we must constantly plow our spiritual grounds like a diligent farmer tills his land for after we've plowed, our spiritual ground's ready to receive the Holy Spirit. This is where seeking the Lord must become our preoccupation. How about walking toward righteousness instead of walking to work!!

Listen to David in 1Chronicles 28:9: "And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever."

Yea, God's more than willing to work through us mightily, but first, we must make seeking Him more important than everything else and once we find Him, we shall have found everything.