Dear ITEM Next Gen Partner,
Today, Sunday, was a travel day. First flight out of Rwanda to Nairobi, Kenya then to Entebbe, Uganda. The first flight was generally on time. The second, not so. The original schedule for the second flight was for 2:15 Departure and was moved back to 2:55 and ended up being more like 3:30. But I was expecting it and I had a lot of time after finally arriving in Uganda so I was fine.
MORE GEN Zers
The highlights of the day were two encounters. On the first flight to Nairobi, there was a large group of teens, all members of New Life Leadership Academy. Two of them, two young ladies, were in the middle and window seats next to me. The one in the middle had her Bible out, open to Philippians, taking notes. There were a lot of highlighted verses. I am assuming they were hers. I complimented her on doing what she was doing and spoke to both of them briefly and gave one of them a Next Gen brochure to show them what I am committed. Then when we were deplaning I encouraged them by letting them know that studies show that within 25-30 years, Africa could be right at the center of the world’s Christian movement and that they needed to remain faithful so they can be prepared to help lead the Christian movement in the world as they grow.
A CATHOLIC WAITING TO GET BETTER
Then when I got to Uganda, a driver from the hotel where I’m at picked me up. As we drove, we got talking about Uganda’s need for God and morality, etc. He said he wasn’t a good Christian. I asked him if he was born again (they use that a lot as a way to describe a Christian) and he said “no” and that he was waiting. I asked why he was waiting. He went on to explain that his family is Catholic and he’s not good enough yet to be born again. He said he needed to be more like his other family members. Then I told him that being born again is like being born as a baby not an adult. “Could you imagine a baby refusing to be born until it was an adult?” He laughed. So, I told him that the devil wants him to wait, and wait, and wait some more until he dies, then it’s too late.
Pray for him. His name is Dennis.
EXECUTIVE AIRPORT HOTEL I am staying at the Executive Airport Hotel (https://eahuganda.com/). I chose this place because the p,rice seemed reasonable and it had an airport shuttle. The website is impressive. Great marketing. The “hotel” is very modest. It is not close to being 5-star by our standards. But it is very adequate. Take a look at the website. Impressive!
CREATED A MONSTER?
As I’ve mentioned, we have started two different online apologetics groups. Each has many members. What has happened in other online groups organized here is that participants start uploading anything and everything about anything. We need to get a hold of this issue before it gets out of control.
Second, since I was the teacher, I am now everyone’s best friend and many of them want a piece of my time (or money) and I can’t service, individually, as many who want to be serviced. And one woman is a single mother, I think, and she’s asked for money and e-books on parenting, and a copy of all of my cture notes. And she wanted them sent to her email. Now she has that along with my WhatsApp phone number.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday, two members of Apologetics Uganda, will pick me up after breakfast and we will drive 5 hrs north to Gulu, Uganda. It must be a significant place because is is considered a point of entry in the north. Tuesday we will meet with youth pastors, Wednesday senior pastors, and Thursday with university students. In all three cases, I will give my Intro to Apologetics and Worldview Matters talks.
With youth and senior pastors, I plan to find ways to be sure they understand the relational needs of the Next Gen (Gen Zers). And with the students, I’ll challenge them to consider closely what is influencing their worldviews most; culture? Social media? The Bible?
There will be Q&A each day and a third session that will be led from one of the Apologetics Uganda guys.
Friday we drive back to Entebbe (near the airport) and Saturday I leave for home.
A BIG prayer request that I don’t think to mention. In the same way that God provided Chris McMillan to replace me as president of ITEM and leader of the pastoral training part of ITEM, I’d love for God to identify a young, budding apologist to get prepared to replace me in a few years.
I AM MORE CONVINCED MORE THAN EVERY THAT THIS IS A VITAL NEED IN AFRICA. PASTORS NEED TO BE CHALLENGED TO ENGAGE GEN Z AND DEAL WITH THEIR QUESTIONS HONESTLY, RESPECTFULLY, AND PATIENTLY. SAME WITH PARTENTS. AND GEN Z NEEDS TO HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
No new questions. I am waiting on some pictures from Saturday, last session in Rwanda.
More from Gulu, Monday.
By His grace,
Steve