We are back in the U.S.A., but our lives are changed forever.
Sixteen hours is a LOOONNNGG time to be on a plane. But that’s what it took to get home to Atlanta from Africa. We have some pictures to share and also wanted to express our gratitude for your prayers during the trip.
We were privileged to strategically collaborate with Global Advance headed by Dr. David Shibley, with whom I attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Here are some of the highlights:
We spoke to business leaders in the capital city of Kampala on taking their faith to work, and integrating their faith with a biblical ethic in leading responsibly in a culture wrecked with relativism and corruption. The national Minister of Finance joined us for part of the conference. About 55-60 attended.
We visited businesses and talked with owners on their own “turf” about being On Mission for Christ in the workplace.
Moving on to Fort Portal, the second largest city, we had over 200+ business leaders flood into the conference. When I spoke to them on God’s Call to the Workplace, and they heard that God calls men and women there just as He calls them to vocational ministry and missions, they stood and cheered. Click here to see how God impacted even the manager of the hotel.
We also taught on such issues as “Establishing a Workable Business Plan”, “Taking Your Leadership to the Next Level” and “Effective Decision Making in Leadership Today.”
Again we hit ethics and integrity head on and had incredible response. Questions such as, “If someone participates in the bribery so common in our nation, but they tithe on the outcome, is that acceptable?” evidenced the searching heartbeat those in attendance had for wanting to find biblical answers. As a result, the groundwork was laid to form a Christian biblical fellowship of business leaders to find strength and help among each other in the future days.
Others of the team dealt with ethical budgeting, vision and planning, motivation, team development, and practical leadership. The hunger of those in attendance was evidenced in that they did not want to leave even when the conference was over.
The team had the joy of ministering to nearly 2000 ministry leaders from western Uganda and their spouses. Segments of this were the men together and the women in separate gatherings. Cheryl had the joy of speaking to wives and the response was amazing! They even gave Cheryl and the other women leaders a native African dress as a sign of their love, appreciation and valuing of the team who led them in being a woman of God that He can mightily use…both as an individual and as a team member with her husband.
Three of us as couples were able to model to all of those in attendance what it is like when a husband and wife minister together. This is not a common concept in Africa as it has been a male dominated society. But the response was one of openness and willingness to learn new leadership models that can extend and increase their impact in ministry.
85 men and women graduated (in caps and gowns) from an intensive study of basic Bible doctrines that Global Advance had prepared and provided. The celebration for these valiant student leaders was jubilant. So little advanced education is available to them, that we found them to be like dry sponges, soaking up every morsel they could. I have never seen a more celebrative graduation!
Every conference attendee was challenged with a commitment to….
1. Have a daily time with Christ in their walk with Him
2. Be involved in planting at least 1 church in the next year
3. Be willing and open to becoming involved in cross-cultural missions and not be content with staying in a comfort zone
When the commitments were called for, the responses were breathtaking! Their seriousness in fulfilling the Great Commission is exemplary…and I found myself wishing that we saw that type of passion more in the states.
Additionally, we were able to address challenges in ministry such as forgiveness, unjust accusation, burnout and keeping the home fires burning.
What was shared had little to do with “theoretical speculations” but centered on the practical difficulties of being in leadership today…whether in Africa, or America.
And last…but definitely not least…was a Christian Leader’s Conference with a focus on equipping. When an invitation was given on the last day, 14 accepted Christ! The trip was a wonderful success. Thank you for your prayers and support. The doors are wide open for the future…and the future in Uganda is as bright as the promises of God!
Bob and Cheryl Reccord
www.totallifeimpact.com  
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