The Mbale Mission exists to “train, equip, and disciple leaders in the Ugandan church” with the purpose that they may also train, equip, and disciple others; DISCIPLEMAKERS that make disciplemakers, all following Jesus in everyday living. While we are not perfect, we put everything we plan and do through the lens of making disciples who make disciples. That is why in 2022, we began a Leaders Conference to gather leaders from the many churches we work with in ONE place for a time of teaching and sharing, specifically geared towards Christian leadership. This year we focused on key scriptures regarding Christ Like Leadership:

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:25-28

Jesus leads differently…and He calls us to lead differently. We spent time teaching about how Christ-like leaders should lead in love and with humility. John Khaukha taught many practical things for leading as servants, which is very counter-cultural here in Uganda. Peace Nanzala spoke about how Jesus raised up other leaders to work alongside, not as a “Lone Ranger” but as a group; and that Jesus calls us to lead by also raising up other leaders to work together. We taught about how Christ-like leaders are patient with the people they are leading and always seek to restore those who fall along the way, the way that Jesus did with Peter and so many of His disciples. And we concluded by looking at how Jesus was sent by the Father and sends His disciples, so that we can have a better understanding that we are SENT by Jesus so that we can SEND others.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-13

We did something new this time: we gathered in small group discussions and went to different stations that covered different topics. We tried to find four key practical topics that village church leaders would be interested, invested, and in need of more discussion. Our major hope was to start a discussion, give some basic Mission guidance in the matter, and then allow the church leaders to help one another with practical discussion. It was a great success! The church leaders enjoyed the practical topics AND it was a great way for the church body, with leaders from all over, to build one another up and learn that there is wisdom when the people of God come together.

All-in-all, the 2023 Leaders Conference was a great success. And we look forward to having it again in 2025 (we’re focusing 2024’s conference on Marriages…a HUGE need). But we do this as a way to start more conversations; start discipleship relationships. Our goal is to equip these church leaders so that they can equip people on a local level. Always, our hearts and minds are focused on the Ugandan church growing in maturity and reliance on the Father, through the Spirit which guides them so that the churches of Christ in Uganda will become exactly what Jesus wants them to be…His ambassadors!

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” – Ephesians 4:14-15