Graduates marching in Gulu TownThe sound of the marching band grew louder and louder as approximately 500 family members, friends and FOGM staff rushed to welcome the graduates and faculty of New Life Bible College to the World Vision conference center. The conference center was decorated with colorful balloons and ribbon streamers and the audience, in their “Sunday best”, had been singing their praise to the LORD when the first sounds of the parade drifted in to the center.About an hour earlier, the graduates and faculty had begun marching the few kilometers from Favor of God toward the center, dressed in full academic regalia and accompanied by a small marching band. What a day this was for them! After 21 years of war and all the social and academic disruption caused by that conflict, they were ready to receive the reward of their hard work and sacrifice. Less than 18 months ago, the residents of Gulu could not walk freely and openly and the ‘night commuters’ were still making their way to safety each evening. But now, with the peace talks well underway and the social order becoming more normal every day, it was time to celebrate! Strike up the band! Strut your stuff! Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!
New Life Bible College, which is one of the ministries of Favor of God Ministries, was launched in Gulu in November 2005, with 36 registered students. In 2006 twenty of thos
e students graduated with a Certificate in Christian Ministry. This year, nineteen students graduated; three received a Certificate in Christian Ministry and, for the first time, NLBC awarded the two-year Diploma of Christian Ministry to sixteen students.Additionally, three students were honored for excellence. They are: Angeyo Christine Okoya, Spirituality; Olara John, Academics; Oyera Martin Leko, Leadership.
The teachers that are currently teaching at NLBC were carefully selected. They don’t just give “head knowledge” but they also share their hearts and personal lives with the students, in order to fulfill one of the mottos of NLBC: “Transformation, not information.” Principal Onen Martin, and lead teacher, Madrama Peter are the mainstay of the faculty. They are assisted by several qualified pastors who come from around Uganda to teach and mentor new Church leaders.
The impact that the NLBC training is having on northern Uganda cannot be overstated. It has brought transformation and change to the personal lives of the students, as well as to their ministries. Before coming to NLBC, many of the students had been ministering for years but had never been trained and equipped to do so. But after learning Biblical principles of ministry and putting them into practice, they and their churches have been transformed!
Excited graduates pose for a group photoAnother impact of New Life Bible College training on the lives of the students is unity. With over sixteen denominations represented in the College, an environment of unity and appreciation for the diversity in the Body of Christ has developed. The students and faculty consider themselves one Body, one member and having one purpose, as described in Ephesians 4:11-13. This unity experienced at NLBC extends itself to the churches that the students are involved and, ultimately, to the whole Christian community in Gulu District as the students share the fire of Jesus’ love for His Bride!
We thank God that He is using NLBC to change lives and foster unity in the Church in northern Uganda! We also thank Him for the teachers and facilitators who have worked tirelessly to teach and impart wisdom and knowledge in the lives of our dear students…and for His Providence in providing partners and resources that enable us to do so. And, with our thanksgivings we also make our requests known to God…that He will provide the funds needed to construct a complete Bible training center…that He will give us the grace and resources to open satellite schools in other towns in northern Uganda, as well as in southern Sudan and eastern Congo. But most of all, as we celebrate another graduation, we thank Him for the graduates of New Life Bible College who will take the Gospel of God’s love to the hurting and broken of northern Uganda, Africa and around the world!
Vision for Extension of New Life Bible College:
Places to be reached and the respective Proposed Dates
The teachers that are currently teaching at NLBC were carefully selected. They don’t just give “head knowledge” but they also share their hearts and personal lives with the students, in order to fulfill one of the mottos of NLBC: “Transformation, not information.” Principal Onen Martin, and lead teacher, Madrama Peter are the mainstay of the faculty. They are assisted by several qualified pastors who come from around Uganda to teach and mentor new Church leaders.
The impact that the NLBC training is having on northern Uganda cannot be overstated. It has brought transformation and change to the personal lives of the students, as well as to their ministries. Before coming to NLBC, many of the students had been ministering for years but had never been trained and equipped to do so. But after learning Biblical principles of ministry and putting them into practice, they and their churches have been transformed!
Excited graduates pose for a group photoAnother impact of New Life Bible College training on the lives of the students is unity. With over sixteen denominations represented in the College, an environment of unity and appreciation for the diversity in the Body of Christ has developed. The students and faculty consider themselves one Body, one member and having one purpose, as described in Ephesians 4:11-13. This unity experienced at NLBC extends itself to the churches that the students are involved and, ultimately, to the whole Christian community in Gulu District as the students share the fire of Jesus’ love for His Bride!
We thank God that He is using NLBC to change lives and foster unity in the Church in northern Uganda! We also thank Him for the teachers and facilitators who have worked tirelessly to teach and impart wisdom and knowledge in the lives of our dear students…and for His Providence in providing partners and resources that enable us to do so. And, with our thanksgivings we also make our requests known to God…that He will provide the funds needed to construct a complete Bible training center…that He will give us the grace and resources to open satellite schools in other towns in northern Uganda, as well as in southern Sudan and eastern Congo. But most of all, as we celebrate another graduation, we thank Him for the graduates of New Life Bible College who will take the Gospel of God’s love to the hurting and broken of northern Uganda, Africa and around the world!
Vision for Extension of New Life Bible College:
Places to be reached and the respective Proposed Dates
Kitgum ( NorthernUganda) from 14th – 18th, January 2008
Lira (Northern Uganda) from 21st – 25th, January 2008
Adjumani ( Northwestern Uganda) from 23rd – 27th, June 2008
Southern Sudan from 10th – 14th, November 2008
