Religious leaders share lessons learnt in 2020, plans for 2021

2020 was an extraordinary year, owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Church leaders spoke to New Vision about their lessons from 2020 and how they have shaped their 2021 plans.

Solomon Moses Male, Pastor at Arising For Christ Ministries

Last year taught us that anything can happen and we should never take anything for granted. At the start of that year, many pastors gave prophesies of prosperity, but none foresaw the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year has also exposed lies in religious circles, for people who were once trusted as prophets were exposed as liars. So, in 2021 Ugandans should rethink the trust they have in these people and put it solely in God.

This year has showed the importance of farming. We should venture into businesses, such as poultry and other agricultural enterprises.

This year has also exposed the importance of a robust health systems. When flights were halted, everyone, regardless of rank had to seek treatment in local hospitals as opposed to flying abroad to countries such as India and Germany. It is, therefore, important to build our own health facilities instead of considering foreign hospitals as the best.

I am praying that in 2021, we continue with Build Uganda Buy Uganda.

Sarah Bunjo, Apostle at Christian Restoration Ministries International

2020 showed that the earth and heaven belong to the Lord. People have been mistreating others because of their wealth. However, during the start of the lockdown, their wealth did not support them when their vehicles remained parked and businesses closed. This showed that everything is futile without God.

Therefore, in 2021, we should realise that God holds the keys to everything and in Him alone should we put our trust. In addition, Jesus is coming back soon.

Darryl Woodson, Senior Pastor, Victory City Church

The COVID-19 pandemic has helped us to evaluate our family altars through praying with our families daily. For if our personal altars were built on the foundation of going to a church building instead of the Rock of Jesus Christ, then it affected our relationship with the Lord.

Unfortunately, for those who had built on the foundation of a church building, they felt a bit lost because they were not having communal prayers. Yet to others, it gave them a new opportunity to strengthen both their personal and family altars.

I believe that the lockdowns are causing the body of Christ to dig deeper in preparation for what God wants to do in our lives in 2021.

I believe 2021 is going to be a great year of building the foundation of drawing closer to God and appreciating the religious freedom we have in Uganda. We also need to respond to loving and reaching out to those around us by not simply going to church, but "being the church". That wherever we go, we will follow in the footsteps of Jesus by releasing the Kingdom of God wherever He leads us.

Aaron Mutebi, Entebbe Miracle Centre Church

When this year began, we had plans, but they were all fruitless without God. Therefore, we need to put more trust in God, for we plan, but it is Him who fulfils.

Julie Deborah Kisakye, Pastor at Prayer Healing Tabernacle International Ministries

Apart from the pastoral duties, we should get involved in farming, poultry and other businesses.

2020 has prepared me to be on another level, for example, building a multi-structure for preaching the gospel.

I also hope to venture in growing my farming and rearing business.

Justine Nabbosa, Pastor at Light the World Church

I have learnt to relate to God rather than depend on pastors or any other leader because who knew that church can close for almost a year.

The recent riots taught me to pray for my country and the leaders. I have learnt how best to use social media through promoting my businesses.

In 2021, we should prioritise living healthy and our families.

Also, a saving plan and investment are essential for individuals, churches and the entire country.

Rev. Canon Diana Nkesiga, St Francis Chapel Makerere

As Ugandans, we need to support each other because anything can happen. During the lockdown, many people were desperate, but when they were reached out to, they regained hope and faith.

God has taught me to give even in the hardest situation.

I am optimistic about 2021, but I believe many of us need to be part of the solution through practising what we pray.

Margaret Musungu, Pastor at Mountain Of Miracles

This year has taught me to encourage every person to construct a house, however, small it is, whether in urban areas or one's ancestral home.

I have embarked on planting fruits, an idea that I urge others to embrace even in their compounds at home.

Elton Joseph Mabilizi, Evangelist at Ambassadors Of Jesus Christ Ministries

There is need for one to have more than one source of revenue, for instance, a job and a side business.

This year has taught us that it is so dangerous for one to have a single source of income.

I have also realised that there is need to save because during the lockdown, citizens had to use their savings to cater for their families.

There is also need to construct stores where food and seeds for future use can be kept.

I have learnt that we plan, but God has the final word. I appreciate God that amidst these challenges, He has enabled me to plan ahead.

Freda Serwadda, Pastor at Victory Christian Centre

I have learnt to be patient with God. One step at a time, He will always answer our prayers.

Then, we have to listen, be calm and support one another in the journey of life.

Michael Kimuli, Pastor at Christian Discipleship Ministries International

The year 2020 proved the existence of God. Even scientists could not challenge His supremacy.

That same year also proved that agriculture is the backbone of our country, with many people returning to farming, which proved profi table during the lockdown. We also witnessed many people depending on food from their relatives in the villages.

This has showed us that our focus as parents is to teach our children our very own way of living (village setting) instead of focusing on taking them to Europe and America.

We also need to teach them to appreciate agriculture and farming as a means of livelihood.

Rev. Canon Dr Rebecca Nyegenye, All Saints Cathedral

We have learnt to multi-task. For example, one person can do things which would have been done by 10 people before the pandemic.

I have learnt to introduce new programmes and skills, such as training of people who have never been mentored to carry out God's work using the media.

This year has prepared the church to constantly update its database, which helps in calling or sending messages to members who have been absent in the service.

Also, through the discipleship team, we are planning to strengthen our Christians to mature in the word so that even when they have not physically attended the service they can still preach to their families and neighbours.

We are buying kits or tools that will make the congregation feel comfortable and secure while taking the Holy Communion.

Christians have adopted to new ways of giving in the House of God. For example, we are tithing and giving our offertory through banking and mobile money.

Arbara Mugisha, Provincial Mother's Union and Family Life Coordinator, Church of Uganda Province

From March 2020 when the lockdown as instituted, we saw multiple opportunities to exploit to reach out to people, for example, using media channels to teach about parenting and emphasising the needs of boys child, who is a future father and husband.

There have always been high levels gender-based violence (GBV) cases in Uganda, which escalated during the lockdown. This provided the opportunity to raise awareness on BV through radios and television channels.

Another thing we learnt as a ministry was to advance in technology y holding several meetings, including group prayers and fellowships online.

Rev. Suzan Ameso, All Saints Cathedral

As church leaders re-organised how best to serve God's people and each other. We realised the need to adjust the way the ministry of God is done so as to meet the needs of the communities we serve, especially through adapting information technology, for example, television, radio, social media and the Internet.

For when we spoke, people listened and more awareness on COVID-19 has been achieved. We re-emphasised the importance of family in church and harmony in the prevention of gender-based violence.

This year, there will be engagement in meaningful socio-economic activities, especially after seeing how the lockdown cut off donations and greatly affected church incomes and human resource.

There is need to reassess church assets and invest for posterity for church institutions lost income.

Prof. Simeon Kayiwa, Pastor at Namirembe Christian Fellowship

We have to be tolerant and not get upset, for example, during the political campaigns. We have got to love and understand each other. also, sometimes we must obey instructions, for example, following the guidelines of the health ministry to curb the spread of CoViD-19. in 2021, my advice is that we should always be prepared for anything.

Nestore Onoba Onencan, Pastor at Christian Family Church

The Government, through President Yoweri Museveni, controlled the spread of COVID-19 by closing avenues where the disease would easily spread. If we had listened to him and followed the health ministry guidelines, we would not be losing many people to coronavirus now. It is also a great lesson to ponder about obedience, which is also more important than sacrifice as the Bible quotes.

In 2021, it is, therefore, essential to pray for this country so that Ugandans are able to handle such and any other calamities.