sos blog

Community Impact Stories

5 stories of community members being helped through our Community Impact Ministry.

Meet the Slones

We are excited to introduce our newest SOS missionary family!

The Power of a Christian School

A short blog post by SOS Founder, Shannon Hurley about the impact of your prayers and generosity towards Legacy Christian Academy.

Martin Mukubuya's Story

Well, 12-year old Martin isn’t a doctor yet, but he aspires to become one, and believes his dream will come true since he attends Legacy Christian Academy.

Introducing Legacy Christian Academy’s New Principal

We are thrilled to introduce to you Legacy Christian Academy’s New Principal! While Michael Mpima has taken this new position at Legacy, he is no stranger to SOS Ministries...

Baptism Sunday 2022 | 3 Testimonies

Sunday, May 22nd was a memorable day at Community Bible Church of Kubamitwe. It was baptism Sunday, one of our favorite days of the year. The entire church family gathered together to hear the testimonies and observe the baptisms of 17 individuals who surrendered their lives to Christ.

Walking Down This Road Until I’m Home

Thankful to have been raised in Uganda

In this blog post Ethan Hurley reflects on his life growing up in Uganda before he heads off to college.

Abdul's New Home

Hope For Broken Youth

It is difficult to hear of the heartbreaking situations that devastate the lives of so many of our youth, but we know that the hope of the gospel of Christ is able to mend the brokenness. In this blog post Zeek Hurley shares the stories of 3 individuals who were impacted by a recent youth camp held by CBCK.

A Divine Appointment

What followed I will never forget. Mr. Okello, with a radiant face, looked me in the eyes and said, “You are the answer to my prayers..."

Eternal Life in a Temporary World

Sarah's Story

Sarah Nakigozi loves teaching children and encouraging teachers. That is why supervising the five kindergarten classes with over 144 children at Legacy Christian Academy is the perfect fit for her. Read Sarah's story and learn how the Lord has uniquely equipped her to love and care for students and teachers at Legacy.

Meet the Huffstutler Family!

We are excited and grateful to welcome Dan and Angie Huffstutler, and their three daughters, Karis, Faith, and Makayla to SOS Ministries.

The Hope Amidst the Havoc

"Christmas shouts that this is all temporary and that one day this world will be made new because Jesus will come again..."

Thankfulness | A Gift

A Thanksgiving devotional by Danielle Hurley.

10 Benefits of Short-Term Missions with SOS Ministries

Maybe you are considering serving the Lord through a short-term missions trip! The Miller family took and repeated this step, and have grown in gratitude for the experience. Here are some of the benefits they have seen as a result.

Mark Rutuna's Story

SOS is so grateful for the gift of the Rutuna family! Mark and Margaret and their family have recently returned to SOS after Mark received his MDiv through TMS. If you don't know Mark, or if you never heard his story, be sure to read this blog post!

Faith Nabakooza Story | LCA Staff Highlight

Faith Nabakooza is a supervisor at Legacy Christian Academy. She joined the staff in 2014, the second year after Legacy opened its doors!

Agnes Kwagalana's Story

Agnes Kwagalana is our beloved pastor’s wife. She is the Kubamitwe version of the Acts 9:36 Dorcas who “was full of good works and acts of charity”. Agnes nurtures our community and even blesses us with gifts of her handmade clothing! But Agnes didn’t learn her nurturing ways easily, as her mother abandoned her when she was three.

Faith's Story - Community Outreach

Faith is single mother with degenerative damage in her hips and legs, which has sadly restricted her from walking. Read Faith's story about how the Lord is working in her life, how SOS and Joni & Friends were able to minister to her, and how you can specifically be praying for her and her family!

Sarah's & Abdul's Story - Community Outreach

Third world realities lead to lifelong disabilities. But thankfully, Joni and Friends has come to Uganda to bring hope to these lives. One of the joys of working as the East African Hub for Joni and Friends is SOS’s regular visits to our neighbors suffering with disability.

Dan's Story - Community Outreach

Dan is a 15 year old boy with Cerebral Palsy.He was born healthy until he suddenly became ill with fever and seizures. He was only a few months old when he was diagnosed with severe malaria, which was suspected to be the cause of his condition.

The Reward of Service

Legacy Christian Academy Student Highlight - Fred's Story

Fred is one of 12 kids in his family. He is currently in 6th grade at Legacy Christian Academy, and his favorite subject is math.

STC Faculty Highlight - Edward Kintu's Story

Pastor Edward Kintu graduated with his MDiv from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and moved back to Kubamitwe in October to serve as a professor at Shepherds Training Center. Shannon first met Edward in 2006 as a 25 year old lay reader in the Anglican Church.

An Invitation to Die - Good Friday Devotional

Jesus Invites You to Die with Him This Week

GOSPEL MINISTRY CONTINUES

All these months into the pandemic have altered so much of our thinking. We would have never thought that the world could stop. We would have never expected that the normalities and freedoms we have joyfully experienced could be threatened so abruptly. This has been shocking and disturbing.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY

We all are well in Uganda. We have been rejoicing in the slower pace during our continued lockdown. Every missionary is using this time to care for his family and accomplish some much needed administrative projects. This has also allowed us to deepen relationships with those living within our campus (teachers, Hurley students, professors, and missionary families). One major highlight has been the opportunity to spend extra time with the missionary families.

DEVOTIONAL – MATTHEW

These past few months have been challenging times, as local churches around the world have not gathered. For most of the world, zoom calls, online streaming, and the like have served to fill the gaps of missing fellowship. While we all agree, this has helped, it continues to leave our hearts longing for in-person fellowship again.

THANK YOU!

Thank you so much for your continued prayer and support! If you have any prayer requests, let us know! Click here to share your request.

HOW TO FIND PEACE

Fighting for peace may sound like an oxymoron, but anyone who has battled anxiety knows that it is truly a fight. Peace is a quality we all want to have. Spurgeon defines peace as, “The deep tranquility of a soul resting on God.” Who wouldn’t want deep tranquility? Everyone from mystics to Buddhists to Hindus to atheists long for deep tranquility. Yet, so few people seem to have it. Sure, we all experience moments of peace, pending on our circumstances.

MINISTRY UPDATE FROM THE HURLEY FAMILY

5 MENTALITIES FOR HANDLING ADVERSITY

What a crazy time in all of our lives, as most of us experience our first ever worldwide crisis. By God’s grace, so far the COVID-19 virus has not yet reached Uganda. Until a few hours ago, we could only hear its sounds from the media, its effects from cancelled visitors, and its precautions from compulsory hand sanitizing in Kampala.

WOMEN’S VILLAGE BIBLE STUDY!

It’s Wednesday afternoon at 3:30. I gather my Bible, notebook, old beach towel, and a prayerful heart and I head out the door. I pick up a friend or two at the gate and we drive towards Kitedde. On the way I wave to lots of happy kids, try not to get stuck in a trench in the road, chat with my new friends, who giggle like we are on a roller coaster if I go faster than 10 mph, and stop by a local elementary school to pick up Margaret, my trusty translator.

UPDATE: URGENT PRAYER REQUEST FOR EMMITT HURLEY

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT YEAR!

We moved to Uganda 14 years ago because our heart broke when we saw the dire condition of the people there. Extreme poverty, rampant sinfulness, and the breakdown of the family left children to fend for themselves. No church existed anywhere near our village; Christ was not anywhere on the minds of the villagers.

A UGANDAN THANKSGIVING

Here in Kubamitwe in November, the rains are fading and the sun is heating up for our dry season. So while our tropical trees don’t change color in November, the SOS missionary families decorate our homes with festive autumn flora and prepare for our Thanksgiving feast.

INNOCENT’S DEATH

Dear Friends,We have some unexpected sad news to share. Those of you who have visited SOS within the past couple years probably would have met Helen and her two children. Helen grew up in our home, but during a rebellious season, left school and our home, which resulted in an abusive relationship in the slums with a drunkard and the ensuing births of two children. When the sicknesses of her children became overwhelming, Helen returned home to us with her two babies.

A LETTER TO THE LADIES

Dear Ladies,A couple weeks ago, I bought a new cookbook. Cooking is one of my favorites (which is a good thing since it is a rare night that I cook for less than 20!). But this cookbook was not just a cookbook. When I started perusing for inspiring recipes, I found tips on health, tips on fitness, tips on decorating, tips on beauty, tips on homemaking, tips on relaxing, and lots more tips.

CUPP FAMILY

As Bible believing, Christ following believers, we don’t believe in sainthood, as has been taught by those holding to the Catholic faith. We believe that all Christians are made saints upon salvation, not due to their own merit, but as a result of Christ’s merit, which has been freely given to them. This key doctrine, however, does not take away from the fact that some people deserve great honor for their significant Kingdom achievements.

ADOPTION HAS TO BE HARD

Yesterday, my 17 year-old son, Ezekiel, said, “As I watch you and Dad adopt again, I’m seeing more similarities between physical adoption and our adoption into God’s family.” He leaned against the kitchen counter as I prepared for dinner and thought out loud, “Out of all the kids in Uganda, how did I get to be chosen to be in our family?

ELLA’S STORY

Who is Ella? Ella (formerly known as Rachael Wamanga) came to our home over 3 years ago. Some of you may remember her grandfather, Sam Wamanga. He was the first president of the Baptist Union of Uganda and was persecuted by Idi Amin in the 70s. In 2012, he came to work at SOS as the Church Strengthening Manager.

A SECOND JOSEPH IMPRISONED

Last Tuesday, police unexpectedly arrived at the SOS campus and arrested a 22 year-old high school student who lives in our home on the charges of defiling a minor. The young man, Joseph, was as shocked as the rest of us who knew his character to be above reproach. We tried to sort out the issue here, but the police were determined to take him to the city jail.

ELIJAH’S STORY

Who is Elijah? Elijah used to be Ivan (nicknamed Ivan the Terrible at the beginning). But much haschanged since that name. On August 13th of last year, Ivan’s mother died in childbirth. After giving birthto a beautiful baby girl, she hemoraged and most likely didn’t make it to the clinic, bleeding to death onthe boda (motorcycle taxi). His baby half-sister is in the adoptive process with our teammates, Damonand Jen Cupp.

HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU?

We would consider it a joy to pray for you! Please let us know how we can serve you in that way.

BE A HERO

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

A few weeks ago, Community Bible Church of Kubamitwe celebrated its 10th anniversary! Upon relocating to the Luwero district after 3 rocky years in Mukono, God seemed to be opening up gospel opportunities in a community where the true gospel had not yet reached. The year before SOS physically moved into Kubamitwe, an SOS missionary family from New Zealand faithfully prepared the groundwork by teaching Bible studies to our first employees (a group of construction workers).

Ronald's Story

Twelve year-old Ronald Ntege is an easy-going, soccer-loving 5th grader whose favorite subject is science. He seems like a typical Ugandan child living in a rural village. But a recent conversation with Ronald revealed a remarkably mature twelve-year old.

Obang Okwier's Story - STC Student

Obang Okwier, a tall Sudanese student with a contagious smile, greets everyone he meets as he walks across STC’s campus. He is known as a friendly guy who loves God’s Word and people. But Obang (pronounced “O-bong”) hasn’t always been known for his joy.