One of the most impactful ministries of SOS that doesn’t get much attention is our Church Empowerment Ministry. SOS’s hidden gem, this ministry carries out strategic programs to build up and strengthen the Baptist Union of Uganda and the Baptist Convention of South Sudan. It is the linchpin of the success of Shepherd’s Training College (SOS’s pastoral training center). Without SOS’s Church Empowerment ministry, SOS would not have the national impact it has today.
The programs within our Church Empowerment ministry include conferences, church visitation, strategic planning meetings with key stakeholders from within the Union, and leadership training.
This month’s newsletter highlights some recent events. Please be encouraged as you read all that the Lord is doing through our Church Empowerment ministry.
SOS MINISTRIES' AND THE BAPTIST UNION'S RELATIONSHIP
The Baptist Union of Uganda consists of 1,500 Baptist churches throughout Uganda. As a denomination, it has massive potential. SOS has had the privilege of working with the Union since 2008. Shannon Hurley has had the honor of serving alongside three of its presidents: Michael Okwakol, the late John Ekudu, and the current president Abel Ssegirinya. Abel and Michael have also served as board members of SOS for the last 15 years.
The relationship has been remarkable. The early days consisted of conducting annual conferences in each district and traveling with the leadership throughout each region. These wild adventures deepened and solidified SOS’s relationship with the Union.
Together with IMB’s Jinja Seminary, we believe the BUU has been protected from being submerged into the false doctrines of the Word of Faith movement, and we believe it is on the road to being a Bible-dominant and Christ-centered organization.
Today, SOS holds three major national conferences:
1. Youth (May)
2. Women (September)
3. Pastors (November).
SOS strategizes monthly with the Union President and the General Secretary on how together we can impact the Union. SOS also continues to conduct visitations and strategic planning meetings. We are now getting ready to launch a national church planting effort to strengthen the Union and to impact the communities throughout Uganda.
It is an immense privilege to be in partnership with the Union, and we are forever indebted to so many of its leaders and friends, most especially Michael Okwakol, Jacque Masiko, Abel Ssegirinya, Robert Aupal, Aloys Ntamugabumwe, and George Tinka.
2026 NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE
On 11 May, SOS Ministries and Community Bible Church of Kubamitwe (CBCK) welcomed 693 students for the annual National Youth Conference 2026! In partnership with the Baptist Union of Uganda, students from around the country came together to hear the Word of God preached and proclaimed. The teaching focus for the week was Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and to the ends of the earth."
Pastor Aaron Logan from Grace Church of the Valley (Kingsburg, CA) taught from Romans 8 every morning. Students studied all things related to the Holy Spirit every morning in their small group sessions.
Each day, in addition to the Romans 8 exposition, eight main teaching sessions covered additional topics taught by faithful pastors and partners in ministry. In afternoon breakout sessions students explored additional topics such as: What is happening in Acts 2?; Is the Spirit still doing signs and wonders?; The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit; Filled, quenched, or grieving the Holy Spirit?; Is the Spirit in me?; Walking in step with the Spirit?; Spirit versus Flesh; and Spiritual Gifts?.
There was exuberant, truth-laden worship; delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner; games and competitions; and enjoyable evening activities involving plenty of music, dancing, and laughter. The youth of Uganda know how to have a seriously good time.
The National Youth Conference is not only an incredibly truth-packed week of teaching and a sweet time of fellowship, but it also serves as a wonderful opportunity for our own youth and church members to serve.
Many of our youth served in registration, as dorm captains, in worship leading, or by opening the Word each morning with their small groups. As a ministry we rejoice to see our young people growing in their love for the lost and helping their peers to follow Christ as King!
TRAVEL DIARY: SW UGANDA
One of the most thrilling and life-threatening experiences in Uganda is carrying out church visitations. Never do you feel more like the Apostle Paul than when you are on bumpy dirt roads greeting a hospitable group of smiling pastors.
In April we traveled with the president, general secretary, regional leaders, and with my dearly loved friend, Aloys Ntamugabumwe, throughout the Southwest Region. We traveled 11 hours to the border of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda to encourage and reconnect with pastors and then drove another 11 hours back to our comfy homes.
Along the trip we couldn't help but be deeply encouraged by the impact we are privileged to have and the ministry partners that God has allowed SOS to have. We also could not help but be strengthened and burdened in our resolve to keep marching forward in our mission to see God’s Church fortified throughout Uganda. There are so many churches longing for the truth and so many pastors ready to be equipped. This trip reminded me once again that SOS’s labors are not in vain!
CHURCH EMPOWERMENT'S TEAM EXPANSION
Due to the size of our ministry and our desire to have a national impact, SOS is expanding its Church Empowerment Department.
To date, Peter Madrama has been leading and driving our Baptist Union of Uganda (BUU) programs. He has done a marvelous job. He has been a stalwart representation of SOS to the BUU churches. We now want to give him a team to work with.
As of Nov 21, 2026 SOS will be launching fully equipped pastors back to their communities. This will provide the BUU and SOS with FAT (faithful, available, and teachable) men throughout the network, providing BUU/SOS much-needed human capacity.
SOS is going to maximize this opportunity by adding to our team regional leaders. These leaders will:
- Represent SOS to their regions
- Assist SOS’s church planting efforts
- Assist in promoting SOS programs throughout their regions
- Assist in mobilizing SOS visits to their regions
- Assist in mobilizing students from their region to attend Shepherds Training College
- Oversee alumni relations in their region on behalf of Shepherds Training College
This new initiative will enable SOS to impact churches more deeply and widely within each region. We are excited! May God help us strengthen His Church for His glory.
CHURCH PLANTING VISION
I am often asked, “What is your vision for the future of SOS?” My answer is short: CHURCH PLANTING!
In many ways SOS has been building to this point. We built a model church and an elite training center—that we might see an army of pastors deployed into service within beautiful churches.
The hope of Uganda is local churches, functioning as God intended, in communities throughout Uganda. Mankind’s real problem is spiritual and the solution is spiritual. People need heart transformation before they will ever see community transformation.
This is why SOS is laser-focused on seeing its pastors not only trained but also established in churches. Our Shepherds Training College has gone to great lengths to thoroughly train pastors, and now it is time to launch them into strategic places throughout Uganda.
This is SOS's vision for the future, and it is starting NOW! We will provide more details to come.
PRAYER REQUESTS
- Pray that our National Conferences will be powerful and deeply impact the hearts of those that attend them.
- Pray that God will give SOS/BUU leadership safety as we travel throughout this country.
- Pray that God will bless STC as we go about recruiting new students for next year’s intake. Pray that our students would be very strong potential leaders.
- Pray that God will provide wisdom to SOS leadership as we build out our church planting plan.
- Pray that God would use the new church empowerment team to impact the church within their regions.
For the King and His Kingdom,
Shannon Hurley
Founder and CEO, SOS Ministries
