Pastor’s Corner “Joseph of Uganda”

This past Sunday I presented our 2027 Vision, “Cultivate Healthy Growth.” One of our areas of cultivation is Mission & Outreach, where we envision increasing our financial giving to ten percent of Immanuel’s income, ensuring a portion goes to an overseas indigenous missionary partner. I mentioned that we already have a particular person in mind. We call him “Joseph,” using this pseudonym to protect his identity. I asked Pauline Hildebrandt, Co-Chair of Mission & Outreach, to introduce you to Joseph:

Joseph of Uganda

an intrepid, indigenous minister of the Gospel of Christ to the unreached

Joseph, undaunted by ongoing persecution, valiantly perseveres in proclaiming the gospel of Christ to unreached people in the eastern area of Uganda, a small country

in the heart of Africa. Joseph became a Christian after some people came to his family’s house to tell them of Jesus’ love for them and the way of salvation. Joseph’s father was enraged when he learned of his decision to follow Jesus

Christ. He accused him of disgracing his family and ordered him to leave with nothing but the

clothes on his back.

Today Joseph is leading a network of ministries in eastern Uganda that cares for people who have trusted Jesus Christ for their salvation and left their former religion that was hostile to Christianity. The ministry helps these new converts survive in the face of being cut off from their former community life, and nurtures their growth in relationship with Jesus.

While the Lord has opened many doors for the ministry, recently they were forced to leave one area where they were working because the level of persecution became too

severe to continue. Two converts were lost and many others were arrested. Since that move, Joseph’s team has shared the gospel with over 400 people, 72 have professed faith in Christ and another 170 people who responded to the message are being followed up. Joseph asks for prayer for wisdom and provision as they continue to disciple these new believers and for special grace for Joseph and his team as they proclaim the gospel among communities of people affected by the control of a religious censorship.

This upcoming Sunday we’ll hear more about Joseph from the Rev. Canon Dr. Alison Barfoot. Alison—known and loved by many of us at Immanuel—is the founder of Global Mobilization Ministries whose vision is to “Empower African Missional Leaders in Jesus’ Name.” Joseph is one of those missional leaders, and he and his team are engaged in the transformative work of cultivating Gospel growth among Muslim communities.

For those of you who weren’t able to attend our One Service Sunday, Parish Meeting, and Picnic, it is very important that you take time to listen to the presentation of our 2027 Vision (watch the 10/18/2026 service, beginning at minute 27), and to hear the inspiring storytelling of Rose Fitzsimmons, Barbara Finney, and Deb Tomchek as they describe the ways in which our God is Pro-Vision for Immanuel (watch the 10/18/2026 Parish Meeting). I ask you to listen prayerfully to what we present, then to listen prayerfully to our Father as you discern what to pledge toward our 2027 budget—one of the primary ways in which you are called to join God in being Pro-Vision.

Your Pastor in Christ,