Preaching in Pamba PAG

On Sunday I preached at Pamba PAG, which is just outside of Soroti, a short bike ride from our house.  It's the church of one of our beloved students from five years ago.  He is the senior pastor, Joseph Engolu.  We've been going to this church each week when I'm not preaching elsewhere.  It's close enough to ride our bicycles (and parents, you should know we wear helmets).  And we like how it is a smaller size than the PAG church in town.  We may continue to go here for a while when we are not traveling to other places.

The first service was in English, so I preached without a translator.  But the second service is in Ateso, so the youth pastor translated for me.  Here is a video of some of the singing.

I asked the first service English-speaking congregation to let me take a picture and record a video of them greeting all of you churches back in the United States.  Sending greetings with people is very important in Ugandan culture.  Therefore I'd like to take your greetings back to them.  If you have a brief message of greeting, or encouragement for them, I will share it with them in an upcoming week.  Send me some emails.  I think they will very much enjoy and appreciate these short messages from our churches back home.

Here is another video of singing during the worship.

I preached on the story of Jesus calling Matthew.  It was largely about how Jesus came for the lost, and to the chagrin of the Pharisees, spent most of his time with the "sinners" of that time.  I ventured to say a word about homosexuality.  I made very clear that I believe that homosexual behavior is sinful.  But I also said that as Christians, we need to befriend homosexuals, listen to them, hear about their struggles, and have compassion on them.  I didn't know how this would go over, but everyone responded very well and appreciated the message.  I pray that God will use this church greatly in their community to reach those who don't know Jesus.

After the sermon, Pastor Joseph reinforced my teaching talking about how in the past he was the "chairman of the drunkards" in the area.  His point was that all of us need Jesus, and all of us would be lost in our sins without Jesus.  Instead of judging others who are stuck in these sins, we need to reach out to them with love.  Another worship leader shared a story that gave a perfect example of what my sermon was about.  He talked about how in his home region, the place was known for alcoholism.  But his pastor made a point to sit with the drunkards every day at 5pm while they drank.  He didn't drink but he talked with them and became their friends, and they always had a chair saved for him there.  Since that time the place has been transformed and there is a very large PAG church in his home village.

After the service we had tea and some snacks.  These are termites.  I forced myself to eat them even though it seemed very strange.  But I was surprised at how much I loved them.  Aside from the awkwardness of eating insects, these things were some of the best tasting snacks I've had.  I still miss sun chips, but perhaps these can help substitute.