Galatians Preaching Conference

Post written by Tim Gamston from Broadstone Baptist Church, UK.

Although I have travelled widely in Europe, and had a few visits to the USA, I have never had the opportunity to visit Africa. So it was with great excitement and anticipation that I headed to Uganda this year on May 8th. 

I had been invited by Anthony and Sara, and pastors in Soroti to speak at a pastors’ conference. In addition, Anthony had lined up opportunities to preach on the radio, and in two PAG (Pentecostal Assemblies of God) churches. 

Radio preaching:

Many things stand out for me, from the condition of the roads to the stunning scenery (especially at Murchison Falls National Park), the friendly welcome from the people of Uganda, including their generous hospitality, and the variety of food, and yes I did try termites! It was lovely to spend time with Anthony and Sara, to enjoy home grown veg, fruit and meat! 

Preaching at a church 30 minutes outside Soroti:

The Galatians preaching conference was run over three days, from Thursday to Saturday. Around 100 pastors attended. We had six teaching sessions each day, along with sung praise, and eating together. 

The aims of the conference were to teach through the letter of Galatians, teach the doctrine of justification by faith, and give training, along with Anthony, on how to prepare expository sermons.

As believers we quickly drop into works based acceptance with God. We believe we are saved by God’s grace alone, received through faith in Christ alone. But we can so easily find ourselves seeking to keep in God’s good books through our own efforts. The danger with that is we lose the assurance of salvation, and our joy in the Lord.

Galatians shows that we don’t just begin the Christian life through faith in Christ, but we also continue the Christian life through faith in Christ. It teaches us that our standing with God never changes, because we are accepted by God based on what Christ has done for us. That doesn’t mean we can live as we please. Paul is careful to show that a person who is justified by faith will grow in sanctification. This was the message we sought to teach over the three days.

There were some real highlights:

• To be among brothers and sisters who were enthusiastically praising God in song. 
• To see the pastors engaging with the text of Galatians and preparing sermon outlines that were based on the text. Each of the pastors went home with a sermon outline on Galatians 3:14-16, and all them raised their hands to say they wanted to preach it in their home church.
• To hear comments after the conference that showed how this liberating truth of justification by faith had touched hearts.

About two weeks after the end of the conference, Anthony sent an update. One of the PAG churches in Soroti (whose church leaders all attended the Galatians conference) had published their preaching programme for the rest of 2025. Starting on the 6th of July, they were going to be preaching a series of expository sermons through Galatians. 

I’m thankful to the Lord, Anthony and Sara, and the churches of Soroti for this immense privilege and blessing to be able to serve in this way. 

To God be the glory.