Mukono, Uganda – An American volunteer evangelist, Pastor John Privitt, has expressed deep satisfaction with the dedication and spiritual fervor demonstrated by Ugandan born-again pastors in promoting Bible reading, adherence to its teachings, and overall spiritual renewal among believers.
Pastor Privitt was in Uganda over the weekend to close a three-day Christian leaders’ retreat organized by the Love, Peace and Unity Pastors’ Destiny Forum, an umbrella body for born-again pastors in the Greater Mukono region at Mt. Lebanon Christian Centre Churches.
The retreat brought together ministers from born-again churches across multiple districts.
Leading a six-member team of ministers from Calvary Taos Church in New Mexico, USA, and Kenya, Pastor Privitt conducted training sessions focused on equipping pastors to address challenges in teaching followers the best practices for reading, understanding, and applying the Bible’s directives.
In an interview, Pastor Privitt, who has conducted annual retreats for Ugandan ministers for the past eleven years, commended the notable progress of Ugandan pastors.
“Compared to earlier years, born-again ministers are now performing far better in applying what they learn in our trainings. Their adaptability and commitment continue to impress me,” he said.
When asked about the sustainability of the retreat, Pastor Privitt attributed it to divine guidance, revealing that this year alone, the initiative required over $53,000 to cover instructional materials, airfare, and accommodation for both trainers and participants.
“I am happy that our efforts have not been in vain. If God provides, we shall return next year,” he added.
Bp. Samuel Lwandasa, vision bearer for the Love, Peace and Unity Pastors’ Destiny Forum and head of Mt. Lebanon Church, emphasized that the retreat was not a handout from foreign partners.
“Our American friends go out of their way to mobilize resources for these trainings. We must emulate their example and work towards becoming self-sustaining, arranging such initiatives for the benefit of Ugandan communities and to further the work of God,” he said.
Bp. Lwandasa further noted that the retreat aimed not only at spiritual growth but also at offering guidance on economic empowerment and aligning daily life with God’s will.
Pr. Stephen Semusu, Chairman of the Love, Peace and Unity Pastors’ Destiny Forum, highlighted the focus on mentoring the next generation of church leaders while restoring the Church of Christ to its foundational principles.
“With general elections approaching, leaders often seek blessings and guidance from the church. It is our duty to train young ministers to navigate these situations faithfully, without compromising their trust in God or showing political bias,” he said.
Despite Pastor Privitt’s long-standing involvement, Pr. Semusu acknowledged that there remains much to learn about effective evangelism and ministry work.
The retreat concluded with over 500 participants receiving certificates of completion, marking another milestone in the ongoing effort to strengthen church leadership and spiritual development in the region.
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