INTRODUCTION
We are currently operating in Uganda; with a focus in rural hard – to – reach areas.
Uganda is in the Eastern part of Africa, one of the few countries in the world which acknowledges that God is sovereign; with a national MOTTO; FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY. Never the less, it is one of those countries where witchcraft was highly practiced and religion is a big stronghold. The main religion are catholics, protestants, and moslems with different sects of other beliefs. In the early 1970s the Pentecostals begun to come in slowly from mainly USA, with much resistance, they begun taking root and now the country has over 2,000,000 born again.
Founder - Mrs. Mpanju Cissy Namubiru
THE CHALLENGE
Africa is predominantly patriarchal and this means, it is easier for a man to get born again and be accepted by the community rather than a woman. Most women who turn their lives to Christ are discriminated against and find it hard to have their life as normal.
- Most of these born again churches are led by pastors who have this as a full time ministry, without any other sources of income or activities. This then lays the burden of fending for the family on only one party, the PASTOR’S WIFE.
- These ladies carry the social, emotional, psychological and financial luggage of the whole family, the pastor and the church at large. They have to ensure that the pastor looks good, dresses well, is spiritually strong to minister and is happy.
- The pastors wife then has to shield the pastor, the church and the family, taking on all responsibilities as the man of God ministers to others; this leaves her with no room for her own life.
- They usually go without proper clothing, no hair dos, yet they have to work their backs off in retail shops, digging in gardens and other petty works to ensure that their children have food on the table, clothings to wear and health care.
- The situation of pastors wives is bad in urban areas but bearable; in the rural areas it is worse and these special vessels go through a lot to stand and ensure that the churches stand too. Without them; it is indeed hard for a pastor to stand, and if a pastor can’t stand; the church cannot try.