SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

The problem

The Churches play a key role in the Teso society and the vast majority of the population regards itself as Christian in faith. Church pastors and clergy are key community leaders and about 1/3 of the schools are provided by the Church – much a legacy of the work of Western missionary work in the 20th century. Two of the hospitals in Teso are Church run.

Church programmes have been vital in helping the population to cope in times of trouble and insurgency.

Bishop Charles Obaikel, Bishop of the Soroti Church of Uganda

Churches are, however, short in resources to achieve their task.

Training is a key concern. Most pastors of Pentecostal Churches, as an example, are “called but not trained”.

Most Church of Uganda Churches are reliant on lay leaders to preach, teach and pastor the congregations.

Clergy and pastors are poorly paid, reliant on gifts from their very poor congregations.

Buildings are very basic – many just built out of mud with straw roofs. They not only provide places for worship and prayer but are usually the only community meeting place.

Bibles are available for all, but many do not have them because of cost. Other Christian literature is scarce through cost.

The provision

The Christian Church since its arrival at the beginning of the 20th century has developed congregations and schools in every corner of the Teso district. Originally this was through the Roman Catholic and the Anglican Churches. More recently other denominations have been planting Churches e.g Faith Mission, Baptist and the Pentecostal Assemblies of God(e.g. this group started in 1977 in the Soroti area and now have 300 congregations).

Investment has taken place by the Churches in buildings, development programmes e.g the Church of Uganda has an 18 strong development team working on agriculture, peace making, community development, and education and training. The Pentecostal Assemblies of God has a small development team specializing in water projects and community development.

All Churches have training programmes in place for their clergy, and lay leaders using Uganda Colleges and universities, but also through running extension programmes of their own.

Extension studies training session

Support to the Churches has come from Western missionary societies, notably the Anglican Church Missionary Society and the Mennonites, and Relief agencies such as Christian Aid, Oxfam, Save the Children Fund , UNHCR, the UN Food and Agriculture  Organization, European Union  and TEAR fund -  in time of insurgency and afterwards to help recovery. This support of late has however been declining as agencies refocus their aid to areas such as the Sudan and the Tsunami struck areas.

 TDT has over the years helped with:

• Relief aid
• Training for clergy and pastors
• Help to boost clergy income
• Aid to build Church buildings
• School building
• Bible translation of the Bible into the minority Kumam language

New church building completed – Otucopi PAG Church	Kumam Bible

The Challenge

The Church in Teso is resourceful, growing and a key community resource.

Investment in its facilities and leaders not only aids Christian Mission but also helps the local community. Key needs are:

• To support the training of clergy and pastors in leadership skills (e.g.  training fees for a pastor in Mbale Pentecostal College are £120/year)
• Improvement of their income (many pastors are paid less than £300 /year)
• Assistance to upgrade their buildings ( a new building can be built for as little as £1500)
• Completion of the translation of the Bible in to Kumam (£2000 needed per year )