Pr Patience rallies church to engage in economic activities

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First Daughter Pastor Patience Rwabwogo has rallied the Church to engage in economic activities in order to sustain their missions, all while teaching their believers to work.

She says the church, both in Uganda and Africa, is growing rapidly and most of the believers are young people (18- 35 years).

“These are the most productive years of their lives. Therefore, the church needs to pay attention to their needs, not just spiritually, but find ways of helping these young people to use their hands, understand the value of work and enjoy the fruits of their labour.

“The days of running around the world while asking for help are over. We must work and sustain our ministries. The church should build internal capacity. God has given us 40 years of peace and he expects us to prosper,” she said.

Pastor Patience made these remarks while officiating over a thanksgiving and fundraising event for the Pilgrim Centre for Reconciliation Uganda (PCRUG); an organisation that provides healing and reconciliation for individuals, relationships and communities, particularly in areas affected by war, violence and divisions.

The event was held in Luzira, Kampala at the Covenant Nations Church, headed by Patience and her husband, Odrek Rwabwogo.

PCFR was founded by American preachers; the Rev. Dr Arthur and Molly Rouner, who Patience described as selfless and benevolent servants of God. For over 35 years, the Rouners have been supporting the First Lady, Mrs Janet Museveni’s work at Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO).

“I first met the Rouners when I was a student at the University of Minnesota,” Patience said.

That day, she visited the couple with her mother, the First Lady and during their conversation, the Rouners shared how God had instructed them to start a mission in Rwanda after the genocide.

They also embraced UWESO and have been supporting the orphans ever since. Back to the church, Patience said during the week-long mission held at Kololo Independence Grounds in May, together with the leaders, they resolved that the body of Christ should develop a more proactive model that empowers believers economically.

She strongly believes that Africa can be the bread basket and storehouse for the world, just like God anointed Joseph to feed nations in Genesis.

However, to achieve this, the Church needs a paradigm shift.

The Rev. Dr Jim Olson, the PCR ambassador, concurred with Patience: “Uganda has potential to feed and bless other nations.”

Taking a trip down memory lane, he said since they opened PCRUG, starting in Moroto district, the organisation has touched over 3,000 lives through the peace and reconciliation retreats.

They have also expanded to refugee settlements and South Sudan. However, Olson and Tim Uthman, the PCR executive director, asked Ugandans to pray for the US, saying their country is in turbulent times — killings are rampant and the assassins target churches, schools and public congregations.

Millions raised

Meanwhile, sh58m was raised at the event and this will help to buy land for the organisation.

Bob Mayonza, the PCRUG country director, said they want to acquire 12 acres for agriculture in Mityana district.

Each acre is at sh17m. They plan to plant coffee in order to raise funds to sustain their ministry. Covenant nations church donated sh50m.