Farming in Faith
Emmanuel Okwalinga
Emmanuel was a student at Pentecostal Theological College in Mbale, Uganda. Here's what he had to say about the Farming in Faith initiative in Uganda:
CRWM is one of the wonderful answers to our long-term prayer and planned vision for the holistic development of the college, local churches, the whole Pentecostal Assemblies of God organization and Uganda as a nation in its pursuit for national economic reforms through the national Plan for Modernization of Agriculture. It has revived and modified our vision of dairy farming, entrepreneurship spirit to help empower and transform the lives of the chronically poor Christians in the PAG rural churches, our immediate communities, and Uganda as a whole.
The Farm has not only impacted my life, family life and ministry visions, but it has born significant impact to the whole body of students at PTC. Our involvement in farm activities, interaction with the farm technical staff, direct involvement in handling animals, in building the shelter, planting and weeding the grass, feeding the cows, observing the treatment and embryo transplanting process in addition to the lectures offered by Brother Craig on the process of dairy farming, has improved our knowledge and skills of handling cattle.
The farm unit at its present stage has become a demonstration centre that has impacted our surrounding communities, visiting alumni, Christians and both national church and local government leadership. I am confident that this is an entity that offers valuable opportunities to implement our strategy of community transformation at all levels. It is central place for communion of the students, teaching staff and visiting CRWM brothers.
In a nutshell, the future of this farm is like an egg – destined to hatch and bring improved livelihoods at all levels. The farm offers opportunities to fulfill our mission to all parts of Uganda, improve infrastructure, transform our education and training strategy, provide scholarships, and serve as a point of meaningful Christian fellowship for holistic development.
Pentecostal Assemblies of God-Uganda
Christian Reformed World Missions and Pentecostal Assemblies of God – Uganda have been partnering together for several years now to advance God’s Kingdom, ensure the development of future Christian leaders in Uganda and to relieve hunger. Through Farming in Faith, a new initiative, a farm has been added to the operations of Pentecostal Theological College. The farm will be located on 20 acres near the college in Mbale, Uganda. Additionally, the farming initiative also provided an instructor in Reformed Theology for the college.
Reformed Perspective
The intent of the farm project is to provide a concrete example of how a Reformed perspective can come to expression through farming. The farm will serve as part of their theological training, in the area of reformed/Christ-centred world and life view. Students will learn what it means to serve God in all areas of life. “Farming techniques will be a co-course at the college,” says Rev. Dr. Mwaya Wa Kitavi, CRWM Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. “These pastors will need to make a living, possibly as farmers, once they start to open churches and worship centers in Uganda.” In addition to worldview training, there are added benefits: the farm will generate revenue for the college, support the prospective pastors financially during their preparation for ministry, it will provide jobs for the community as the project expands, and it will provide much needed farm products for the local community. The farm project is part of a holistic approach to ministry.
The hope is that this will not only be sustainable, but will serve as a learning tool for the students to experience in a holistic way that the ‘whole world belongs to God.’
Read More
- Mwaya & Munyiva Wa Kitavi Brochure
- Farm Report/Update (June 2010)
- CRWM to Use Cows for Teaching Preachers (September 2008 Banner Article)