08/16/24 Unbelievable Dedication in Uganda!!
We have just returned from one of the greatest trips we’ve ever had to Africa. In 12 years, God has allowed Global Baptist Training Foundation to see tens of thousands of national pastors and church leaders trained theologically which has led to over 1,000 church plants with trained pastors. We now have over 50 of those who have completed our GBTF training who are themselves training thousands of others as GBTF Trainers.
This week in Uganda allowed us to see the journey of just one of these church plants in southwestern Uganda – Rwantsinga Acts Bible Baptist Church. We were honored to participate in the dedication of a beautiful building that was financed by a group of GBTF donors and built by the Ugandans. It’s important to underscore that, unlike most organizations, this building BELONGS entirely to this local church!!!
Rwantsinga Acts Bible Baptist Church was founded by Pastor Naboth Atusasire who is Global Baptist Training Foundation East Africa Director. Pastor Jared is now the pastor of this rapidly growing church. The marketing included a huge banner in the village and a local television station that covered and broadcast the event highlights!
The dedication day began with a military band-led procession through the village in which our GBTF trainers and leaders, one of our supporting pastors from the US, members of the Rwanstinga Acts Bible Baptist Church, and many of the people from that village walked about a mile to the church. Over 2,000 people attended the ceremonies with a huge overflow crowd outside the building. 
Bruce had the privilege of helping to lay the cornerstone for the new building.
We were blessed to have supporting pastor, Pastor Justin Johnson of Newark Baptist Church in Elkton, Maryland, and his wife, Sarah, join us for this amazing week in Uganda. Fidele Shinga, GBTF African Director, and his wife Alice, GBTF African Women’s Director, joined us as well as 10 GBTF trainers from Uganda and South Sudan. 
Dedication Day included services, classes, and ceremonies from 8 am until 9 pm (when the fireworks ended!). It included afternoon classes for women, children, and men. 
Bruce gave the sermon at the dedication ceremony where he encouraged the young church and pastor about the open door they have for effective ministry. He ended with a gospel presentation. When asked to raise hands if people needed to accept Jesus Christ’s gift of salvation, as many as 150 people raised their hands. We know for sure of 59 who came to faith in Christ that very day. We believe many more may have been saved.
Pastor Naboth Atusasire and his wife, Esther, hosted us in their home. This couple had planned and worked tirelessly and sacrificed personally for the founding and growth of Rwantsinga Acts Bible Baptist Church. They also planned the dedication day festivities and were involved in almost every aspect. This is one of the greatest ministry couples (and families) you could imagine, and we give them honor and thanks for their hearts and their labors for the Lord. Global Baptist Training Foundation is amazed to have them as part of our GBTF team. (More on this team in the next email update as we highlight the trainers who attended this event)! 
Finally, this event was attended by many of the local and regional political leaders. Bruce was able to present an American flag to a representative sent by the president of Uganda!
It is impossible to describe how amazing this entire process and event have been. We are thankful for the donors who financed this building for a growing church plant that is reaching their area for Christ. Remember this is just one of the 455 church plants that are underway this year through GBTF-trained pastors, about 150 of whom are supported for one year by our church planting partner, Advance. To God be all the glory for His work accomplished by training the nationals!!!
Make sure you watch the videos below!!!!!
Rejoice with us,
Bruce and Grace Snavely
Global Baptist Training Foundation
VIDEOS:
Military Band Leads Dedication Procession
Bruce Marches in Dedication Ceremony
Pastor Justin Johnson and Sarah March in Dedication Ceremony
People Lined the Procession Route
Overflow Crowd Outside
Baptism in Dedication Day
Rwantsinga Acts Bible Baptist Church Choir