Evangelism & Discipleship Training in the Buvuma Islands
Ministry Team:
Pastors Mumbya Samson, Robert Wafula, Andrew Smith, and Bob Peterson
Mission Statement:
Seek and save the lost among the Buvuma Islands before they return to their homelands, and envision and equip Christian leaders with the message of Truth for the purpose of transforming individuals, families and communities.
Pastor Jimmy and Pastor Samson share the Good News at a crusade.
Discipleship training for pastors, lay leaders and other church members began on Lingira Island in May 2005. After seeing a need for people to hear and know the Word of God, and for Christian leaders to be trained, the discipleship program was born in the hearts of Pastor Mumbya Samson and Karina Thomas, now Smith.
Since then, SHIM members and guest teachers, have taught in six-month discipleship courses, beginning in Lingira village and continuing in seven other locations. Students completing the freely-offered course receive a Certificate of Discipleship.
A jubilant celebration was held in mid-2010 for the graduates of the Busia discipleship course, held in eastern Uganda.
After being approached by island pastors regarding the need for a diploma training course, we have begun developing a pastoral training curriculum for oral learners. This is essential as most of the islanders, and many of the pastors, cannot read or write in any language.
Regarding evangelism, SHIM networks with various ministries and island pastors to facilitate an organized program of crusades throughout the Buvuma Islands.
Pastor Samson, at right, translates for Pastor Bob at a youth seminar held on the southern island of Kirewe in August 2010.
SHIM’s desire for discipleship and evangelism is to train up, envision, and assist the local pastors to reach their own people more effectively with the life-saving and life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“During the youth conference in Kirewe island, one of the believers convinced a neighbor, a prostitute, to attend for just a day. Though she came with reluctance, she left with rejoicing, having been forgiven and adopted into the family of God,” wrote Karina in a summer 2010 update.