The school in Soroti this year was once again well received even though it was marred by a troublesome background. The local community being rural depends on favourable weather for it's income. This year the area has suffered serious drought which has brought great hardship, including death amongst some remote Teso people. As a result fewer students were able to attend the school. Over the last four years I have been travelling to Soroti to teach SOM. During that time we have seen remarkable change in the local culture, from a fiercely independent Teso culture to Kingdom culture. Take Japeth for example: he was married this year to a lovely woman called Jackie. As I looked at his new bride I wondered at her strength of spirit noting that this was new, fresh, amongst Teso women who had been downtrodden by cultural traditions. She testifies that she has seen change because SOM has changed the people, particularly the men. She knew the image of the husband she believed God for, but until we came teaching kingdom principles in marriage none of the men were able to live up to what she saw in the Bible. When she looked at Japeth after he had learned from us kingdom principles she recognised what she had been looking for. She testifies that School of Ministries has done this. " When I saw Japeth I knew he was not like the others, and I now know it is because of what School of Ministry has put into his life. When I saw that I knew he was the one for me." It has changed the people. Japeth is just one, there are many other testimonies of what God has done through this ministry. What a privilege to share in what God is doing amongst the Teso people!
They are all saying that SOM has changed not only themselves but communities around them. The students themselves said that their passion was there but their theology only skin deep. They could not break out of their lack of education by themselves and there was no one to help before we came. Now we have equipped them and the students themselves are knowing how to handle scripture, how to study, and most importantly, how to teach others. These are local pastors whose influence is spreading like fire amongst the Teso people transforming communities and changing lives. I can not think of anything more rewarding than to see such fruit coming from the last four years of our service there.
All who have been involved, whether teaching or releasing teachers or financially supporting or praying, or serving in any other way towards SOM Soroti should feel encouraged by what God has done.

Location: Soroti, Uganda

Dates: October 5-16th

Teachers: Andrew Gill and Andrew MeNeil

Subjects: Theology 4, New Covenant and Kingdom Enterprise.