The Work Expands In East Africa
Our recent trip to Uganda in December exceeded every expectation! It was such a joy to connect afresh with the ministry which I handed over to the Nationals seven years ago. Our base of operations in Uganda is under the leadership of Roman Okware, a very dear friend and co-laborer. He has done a phenominal job of not only leading the existing works but expanding the work throughout East Africa where we now have 45 churches in four nations - Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda. Dr. Steve Vickers, and his wife Denice were with me on this trip and as we talked and shared with Roman, letting him hear our hearts and listening to his, we were thrilled to see in him not only important qualities of leadership, but a vision to reach all of East Africa with the gospel.
It was our joy and privilege to lay hands on Roman in the ordination ceremony held that Sunday morning following our three-day conference with the ministers. We ordained him as the bishop/overseer over the churches and also ordained the senior pastors of the churches. Earlier in the service, it was also my privilege to dedicate the new Kakira church building. Many hundreds of people attended this joyous day of celebration that actually lasted from 10:00am till after 5:00pm. The music and singing was spectacular. Wow! You haven't lived until you have experienced eight hours of church!
Regarding our future plans for East Africa, Roman and the church planting team continue to aggressively target new areas for outreach. They do this by and large without Western finances. What they told us they do need desperately is training for the new ministers coming up, which we will provide. Brother Steve and other U.S.-based ministers are helping me gather materials to do so even now. Even though I am moving to Cameroon, which is in a different part of Africa, I will continue to travel to Uganda to spend several weeks a year there, working with our team of Nationals, traveling to the different regions where we have churches and hosting workshops and seminars for ministers. As we labor together with our African brothers and sisters the work will continue to grow, tribal areas will be evangelized, churches will be planted, and community development projects will take place that will benefit not only the churches but entire villages and towns.
I have another trip planned for Uganda this summer, August 24th - September 3, 2008. This trip will have a three-fold purpose. 1) Dr. Steve and I will be conducting a five-day intensive traning seminar for ministers; 2) Denice and Vail will oversee the rehabiliation of a water well out in an area where we have churches. This will provide clean water for several villages; 3) A one-day regional leaders training workshop for the regional leaders we have already selected and have in place to care for the ministers and work in their respective regions.
Our schedule here in the States is full as we are busy traveling to raise our monthly support and the one-time expenses for the move. If you would like to give toward the August trip or toward our move to Africa, you can do so online at www.mikecroslow.com.
God bless you abundantly,
Mike Croslow