Disciple-making in UGANDA
by James Opolot
Early last year, 2024, I came in contact with Disciplers International (DI) and by God's grace Pastor Bart Physioc led me through Step-by-Step Discipleship Training Process. The experience has deepened my times of worship and prayer, and developed in me a spiritual intimacy with God and others.
While going through The Process I started training my wife, Jesca, and our children by simply giving to them what I was getting from Bart. Disciplers International has given me a platform to learn from other experienced DI Partners, thus propelling me to make disciples of all people groups by taking them through Step-by-Step Process.
James, Jesca with their three children: Chris (5), Praise (3), Ichodu (8)
Through my training, I am now developing a strategy that targets all people groups - not only church leaders, high school students, and university students, but also unreached groups like Karamojong, drug addicts, and prostitutes. The church where I serve has been involved in evangelism from its start, but our ministry has expanded greatly with discipleship by training believers in the Step-by-Step Process and church planting.
Sharing the Gospel…
Making Disciples…
I have seen myself grow from spiritual infancy to maturity, which is the goal of discipleship (i.e. spiritual intimacy with God and others). The “Imaginary Journey,” which is part of the training, has helped me experience the nearness of God and help others to experience the same. Also, I’ve been challenged to know God’s heart on a deeper level, which is what the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) and Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is all about.
Thanks to support from Disciplers International, I can provide in-person and online training for people from all kinds of ages, backgrounds, and locations, whether it’s with university students on their campuses or families in their villages. It’s all good and it’s all meaningful. To God be the glory!
Our vision is to reach all segments of society through Step-by-Step training and teaching them to obey and fulfil the Great Commission. Additionally, we train them to take care of themselves, as in the case of Mariko and his uncle Peter who were themselves notorious warriors in cattle raiding. However, after trusting in Christ, they have been transformed and now seek skill training in carpentry, tailoring, and welding/ fabrication.
The impact of DI in Uganda thus far has resulted in over 100 people trusting in Christ, being baptized, completing the Step-by-Step Discipleship Training Process and now participating in a local church. By the grace of God we have planted 16 churches so far: three in Amuria, two in Kapelebiyong, three in Soroti, one in Namutumba, one in Mayuge, one in Gulu, two in Mbale, and three in Kotido.
Our next goal is to translate the Step-by-Step Process into two local languages (Aleso and Karamojohng) because most of the people we are reaching don’t know English and this will help them become more effective in training others who don’t know English.
We are very grateful to DI for providing us with discipleship training that is transforming lives of many people across several districts in Uganda. Thank you!!
