Reformed Faith in Uganda

Last month (June 24-29) I taught a course on Apologetics at the Trinity Bible Institute in Kapchorwa, Uganda, for ITEM (International Theological Education Ministries).

ITEM aims to provide Biblically-based, Reformed teaching and training worldwide to indigenous church leaders for ministry. It sends leaders (mostly retired pastors or professors), from a variety of Reformed and Presbyterian churches, to teach short courses at seminaries in various countries.

Kapchorwa is a town of about 13,000 people in the mountains about 300 kilometers east of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Although it lies just above the equator, it is about 6000 feet above sea level, so the temperature was quite pleasant.

The Trinity Bible Institute (TBI) aims to train church leaders (primarily pastors and teachers) to promote the gospel in East and Central Africa. It is operated by the Trinity Center for World Mission (TCWM), which is currently training about 600 students across 7 teaching sites in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. The principal of TBI is Pastor Fred Kabenge, a leader of the Presbyterian Church in Uganda and a graduate of Westminster Seminary (CA). At TBI I met also the American Pastor (PCA) Doug McNutt, the president of TCWM, who happened to be there during my stay.

In my discussion with Pastors Fred and Doug, and other members of the faculty, I was very impressed by their commitment to the authority of Scripture, their devotion to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in Africa, and their stress on Reformed basics such as our gracious salvation through Christ by faith.

There were about 30 students in my class. I had an assistant, Pastor Deus Byebiroha, who was well-versed in Reformed theology and apologetics. He was an excellent instructor who ably handled the afternoon workshops after my morning lectures. Uganda being a former British colony, the students all spoke English, so no translator was required. The students (mostly already pastors) were very friendly and enthusiastic.

May our gracious Lord continue to bless the proclamation of His Word throughout the world and move many to turn to Christ, our only Saviour. 

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