Merry Christmas from Uganda!  We are so grateful for your support of the Global Leadership Summit in our country.

Our leaders have been greatly blessed from what they have experienced at the Summit.  As you may know, Christian leaders in Uganda are faced with corruption, poverty, and a life expectancy that is in the bottom 10% in the world. Nationally, there has never been a peaceful succession of leadership in the government and it has greatly influenced our nation culturally in every sector. Big business leaders have died and their businesses with them. Another big issue is the generational gap. The teachings on these issues were very powerful and pertinent to our situation. Against this backdrop, people were very excited about the GLS this year. There was a strong sense of awe in the presence of God.

The Bible verse that best describes the theme of the GLS in Uganda this year is 2 Tim 2:2: “What you heard through many witnesses, commit it to faithful men who will be able to teach others.”

In attendance there were about 60% church leaders, 20% business people, and the rest were a mix of students, church members, etc. Approximately 95% were Christian. This year we had 1,280 in attendance. Even though it was a little less than attended last year, we had more people from the market place than last year, and more influential leaders from various sectors with the potential to pass on the message.

We celebrate that 80% of the attendees were sponsored to attend who otherwise would not have been able. Some leaders even traveled as far as 600 kilometers from northwest Uganda to attend. Those leaders who traveled from remote areas made requests to bring the GLS into their communities, including Burundi and South Sudan.

We are inspired by the stories and testimonies coming out of the GLS. Here are just a few:

• A leader of a major Pentecostal fellowship said this was the most impactful of all of the previous GLS’s.

 

• Most people really liked Condoleezza Rice and her testimony. Some of the school girls, high-school especially, see her as a role model.

 

• Pastors who were impacted and inspired by the teaching decided to rise up without making excuses. They have a better understanding on how to move forward; we all have the same circumstances, but it’s our decision to overcome the circumstances and make a difference.

 

• Honorable Benson Obua, a member of parliament, was impacted and made up his mind to make a change in parliament.

 

• Pastors have started to meet in small groups to discuss the Summit materials and further their learning in community.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

-GLS Leader from Uganda