Should Museveni become an evangelist?

FAITH | EVANGELISM

By Charles Okecha

The statement by one Bishop that Uganda needs God-fearing politicians in order to tackle the apparent upsurge of evil has compelled me to write this piece. Evil or sin rather, has been present in this universe for millennia and like a disease unattended to, grows from bad to worse. What would we say about Syria, Iraq and Yemen that were socio-economically better off but now reduced to rubble?

The Holy Scriptures clearly state that only the church has been endowed with the capacity to stop the gates of hell from venting people into the abyss of everlasting destruction. Jesus said, "Broad is the way that leads to destruction and many go by it, but narrow is the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).

He, therefore, instituted the church as an instrument to reverse the status quo when he promised His followers: "I will build My church on a rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom and whatever you permit on earth shall be permitted in heaven…" (Matthew 16:18-19).

As God's policeman, the church can and must turn the soul traffic hell-bound towards heaven emerging as more than winners in Jesus Name.

Through the fundamental change, Museveni's government provided a free platform for the church to operate 24/7 without restraint. But having deviated from its goal of soul winning and gone after material wealth and comfort, it blames the government for failing to contain ritual murders, corruption and witchcraft. Can soldiers shoot demons which live in the hearts of men? Which early soldier of Christ, prophet or apostle had potbelly like many preachers do today?

This might be considered the writing of a sycophant hired to whitewash an illegitimate regime that has held onto power. But my opinion is not greater than God, who only has the power to appoint and remove leaders. In fact, there are more publications anti than pro government, and if mere words could rain down change, fire-spitters would have usurped power by now!

I am only fulfilling my humble duty to honour those in authority but reminding the church that we are fooling ourselves striving to sit and argue with politicians instead of preaching Christ and letting them look for us, as soldiers and tax collectors went after ill-clad John the baptist.

In fact, like reformist king Hezekiah or the Samaritan woman who met Jesus and within hours turned Samaria to God,  Museveni can become an evangelist and should! Whose duty is to direct people to the Saviour while the pastors, teachers, bishops and elders nurture converts.

But first he will have to repent of his earlier justification of violence which sends dead sinners directly into hell. Why gain the world but lose your soul? We need God's mercy upon our land where many strange things like monkeys adopting an abandoned child, and children suffering from the nodding disease and more are happening.

Having established security infrastructure, he shall find joy and fulfillment in converting sinners to heaven. After the wealth-creation campaign, many citizens are becoming rich fools who lay treasures on earth but ignore heaven. They are becoming drunkards, hiring prostitutes and indulging in drug abuse.

In a recent article, Dr Michael Brown indicated that America's Catholics and 4/5 of evangelicals voted for Donald Trump to defend their values. Aren't we demanding too much of our president?

The writer is an ambassador of Christ at St. Paul's College, Mbale