Franklin pastor initiates new Ugandan Bible academy

After two weeks of intense study, sharing and exploration of God's work in the war-torn country, it became clear the academy was a success.

MUKONO, Uganda - Leaders in the East Africa United Methodist Conference have felt the need for short-term training of pastors in Uganda for several years.

The Rev. John Elliot, pastor at Grace UMC in Franklin, Ind., recognized that need in 2001 when he and his wife traveled to Uganda to see the future site of a school, clinic and orphanage for HIV/AIDS children. It was here that Elliot began to discuss the challenges and the realities of such a Bible academy with District Superintendent Daniel Wandabula. A plan began to develop that would take five years to realize.

The plan began with the recruitment of Indiana pastors who could not only answer the call to teach at this unorthodox academy, but also raise money for their own expenses. The Rev. Wesley Hertel of Mt. Auburn UMC in Greenwood was one pastor who agreed to be part of the inaugural teaching staff. Lee Ann Bertram, of Grace UMC, also responded to the project and the Indiana group was set.

The group of four Hoosiers joined with the mission group from Crossroads UMC in Virginia led by the Rev. David Norman.

One of the challenges facing the project was that many of these fledgling churches had grown from United Methodist refugees fleeing the Hutu and Tutsi massacres in 1996. This meant there was no local funding for the academy. Grace UMC answered that need, by funding the $8,650 budget.

Two-week academy

Leaders decided the academy would take place over two weeks; one course would be taught twice a day, Monday through Friday, for a week. Forty Ugandan pastors, with enough working English to learn from American pastors, were invited to take part in the first academy. The main hall of the Mukono Resort Hotel in Uganda was chosen as the site and classes began July 17.

The day had been set so each of the three teachers taught an hour, each session beginning with a praise song and then prayer. Each session was concluded with a question-and-answer time - a very popular time for the students, indicating they understood and were excited about the material.

After two weeks of intense study, it became clear the academy was a success, but the challenge arose as to how to evaluate the success. The time frame of the project was only two weeks, much shorter than a year in seminary.

Academy leader decided on a 'take-home' assignment to evaluate each student.

Chosen language Bibles

The closing celebration proved to be one of the most enriching times of the experience. Each Ugandan pastor was given a new Bible in his or her chosen language. Each district was presented with enough donated Christian reading and reference material to start a small library at each of the districts' offices.

One of the greatest challenges raised by the participants became how to provide instruction to those who do not understand English. Some have suggested holding concurrent sessions, one in English and one with a translator.

The East Africa Conference comprises five African nations and the need for a linguistically diverse curriculum. Currently, there is no ongoing financial support for future academies, but the need for the training is undeniable.

"To ignore that need would be to fail God's mission in Africa," the. Rev. Elliot said.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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