“How was Uganda!?”
This is the common refrain I’ve heard repeated over and over again at graduation parties, bible studies, and at church. It’s nice to know that so many people care about my trip and want to see how it was. However, I continually find myself struggling to find the right words to say to answer a question that encompasses such a broad subject. I have found myself stuck in a rut of cool’s, awesome’s, and amazing’s.
The better conversationalists have relieved me a bit by asking “What was your favorite part?” or something along those lines. That helps a bit, but on a 10 day trip it’s almost impossible to choose a favorite moment.
Because my trip to Uganda was so long, I’ve decided to write 4 posts about it. This will be my first, which will mainly be an introduction to the trip.
I decided to go to Uganda when it was announced at my church months ago. I had wanted to go on another missions trip since I went to the Dominican Republic a year ago, and had a life-changing experience. Because of that trip, I had high hopes and big expectations for my trip to Uganda.
Our church recently began partnering with a new missionary named Shannon Hurley, who runs S.O.S., or Sufficiency of Scripture Ministries, in a small village called Kubamitwe in rural Uganda. The team I went with was the first team to visit his ministry. He started S.O.S. in 2002, and officially moved to Uganda in 2006. The story of how he ended up there is fascinating. While attending seminary, God blessed Shannon with a wonderful job that supplied abundantly for him. He became convinced that God was providing these huge funds not for his own personal enjoyment but to begin the ministry in Uganda. How many of us are as sacrificial with what God gives to us?
Shannon started construction of his compound in 2009, which has grown quickly and now encompasses a church of 300 people, a school with grades K-4, 4 missionary homes which house his family and the families of 4 other missionaries who have partnered with him, a new seminary and pastoral training center which will open in the coming years, and an administration building, among other things. He now employs 20 people full time from the surrounding community, where the average monthly wage is under 5 dollars.
His school, Legacy Christian Academy, has over 300 students, and he adds a grade each year. It is free to the community, and is giving an uneducated area its first chance at having a quality education in a safe environment. The local public schools are unpleasant, dirty places where children are literally beaten into submission. At Legacy Christian Academy, students are instead taught in a safe, modern environment and showered with Christ’s love. The truths they learn at school are then brought home to their families, and this has caused a tremendous change in the village.
The culture of Uganda is very dark, with most people having multiple partners and not getting married. There are many Muslims, and crime and disease run rampant. Morals are an unknown subject in the Ugandan culture. However, S.O.S. is reshaping the morals and values of the village it is located in by preaching the gospel, and a large church has grown out of this called Community Bible Church of Kubamitwe. Many people in the village have become believers, and have gotten married and started to glorify God in their families. I was able to see first-hand how God is reshaping the culture while visiting the home of a local family there and hearing their testimony. I’ll share more about that in a later post.
S.O.S. is reshaping the immoral culture of the village it is in through the saving power of the gospel. It is providing quality education, emergency medical care, jobs, spiritual nourishment, and soon pastoral training to Kubamitwe and the surrounding areas. This is the world that I stepped in to on June 5th. I hope you’ll come along the rest of the week as I explain day by day what God is doing in Uganda and what He showed me in my own life.
Pretty impressive summary, boiling Shannon’s entire ministry into a few paragraphs. Looking forward to the next post!
Shannon is a phony who has over the years ignored abuse in the church. He did nothing when a young boy was raped by another member in his church except console my sister for 30 minutes during a visit when she was in the midst of the church minimizing the abuse. A mr. Adam Tyson was there I believe he’s president of this ministry as well he ignored my nephew and my sister yet was involved in covering up the rape! Read the Wartburg watch story on Shauna and billy. It puts this ministry, Lakeside Bible Church and all of you wretched disgusting men on blast! I say all of you because of how my little sister and nephew were treated by you so called Christians!!! Nothing but a bunch of pias chauvinistic men who think they rule the church.
I was a missionary with SOS and I can vouch for Ambers statement. Not only does he cover up sexual abuse, but he is also disqualified by biblical standards to be leading a church or a ministry. He is a classic, by the book narcissist. He needs major help, but refuses to have any accountability. He has a board made of of family and good old boys and surrounds himself with yes men. It looks great if you go for a 10 day visit, but if you live there you will get a very different picture. You did a good job of remembering all the things Shannon wanted you to know though. I hope things come to light before too many more people get hurt. It’s a shame though—it could have been a great ministry if it was centered on building Jesus’ kingdom instead of Shannon’s. It’s such a pity!
Hello to whoever wrote this comment, I’m sorry that you had such a bad experience working with Shannon and SOS, but as someone who also lived and worked at SOS, your comment does not in any way paint a just or true picture of Shannon Hurley or this ministry. I have never met a man so passionately devoted to Christ or His kingdom. There are two SOS boards, one in Uganda and another in the states. Both consist of godly, elder qualified men who keep him accountable and provide him counsel as he leads the ministry. For those who know Shannon well, we know that he is a man marked by humility and teachability, while he is still a strong leader. He has over 40 youth living in his home that he is discipling and putting through school. I have never seen a man so dedicated to his marriage and family as Shannon Hurley. He would give the shirt off of his back to a person in need. Ask anyone who lives in the village of Kubamitwe and they would testify to this. For years I have had the privilege of watching Shannon Hurley lead SOS ministries and although he is not perfect (and would be the first to admit this), he is a man of godly character who loves people selflessly.
Jonathan, thank you for your blog post! I’m glad you had such an amazing time in Uganda serving at SOS. God truly is doing incredible things through this ministry. God bless!
Hi El Emet,
Your defense of Shannon Hurley is highly questionable given the serious allegations brought up by Amber and El Roi. Amber has detailed a specific incident where Shannon ignored a rape case within the church, with Adam Tyson allegedly covering it up. El Roi further states that Shannon is a narcissist who has no real accountability and surrounds himself with “yes men.” These are not minor accusations, and your vague praise does little to address them.
You claim there are two SOS boards providing accountability. If that’s true, how do you explain the alleged cover-up of sexual abuse and the reports of Shannon’s unqualified leadership? Can you provide specific examples of how these boards have held him accountable in serious situations, such as the one described by Amber?
Moreover, you assert Shannon’s dedication and humility, but these accusations paint a starkly different picture. How do you reconcile your positive experiences with these severe allegations? It’s hard to believe your defense when you don’t address the core issues raised.
You mention Shannon’s selflessness and dedication to his family and community, but these traits do not absolve him of the alleged misconduct. If you have any concrete evidence or detailed accounts that can legitimately defend Shannon against these accusations, now is the time to share them. Otherwise, your defense appears as mere deflection in the face of serious, corroborated accusations.
Looking forward to your response.
Hi Robert,
I want to also mention that Shannon Hurley lives like a king on his compound. His family have a beautiful home filled with the newest appliances. Their kitchen stove is a chef’s oven worth at least $10,000 not to include the shipping, someone sent photos. His outdoor patio furniture would be the envy of most americans who couldn’t afford such a luxury it’s straight out of a magazine? He has video’s of people straight outside the compound with no electricty or clean water. I also want to point out Shannon’s six figure income over the last 13 years it equates to a million plus! Most recent his $120,520 salary not including benefits, retirement, medical and dental,401k. I have to ask does he have a swiss bank account or any accounts outside the united states? Does he own stocks in the stock market? Who has ever heard of missionaries getting this kind of salary, I sure haven’t. I thought missionaries have to raise their support each year. I also found at least 25 churches who support sos financially some up to 4k a month. Then the children he has posted for doners to support in school at $45 a pop every church supports those children five times over per child it seems. Whenever he travels to the states it’s on SOS dime or the supporting church, not out of Shannon’s pocket. When he brings his family to the states, again one needs to ask who or what is paying for it? I found a post where the pastor of lakeside bible church, his sending church paid for Ramey’s son to fly to Russia and singapore with him all expenses paid. Mr. Ramey’s son was partying in Singapore going out to clubs. The blog post includes the pastor thanking the church for covering the cost for his son so they could have time together to bond while he was going as a guest speaker conference. This is the said “leadership” board El Emet speaks of in the above comment. Because the leaders and church members hold these men in such high esteem such as shannon and men like him they fail to notice these are ways with which men take advantage of the ministries they claim to serve. I don’t know who pays for shannon or his family, but these are questions one must ask if we are to be good stewards of giving to his ministry and boasting about him. Personally, rather than boasting about shannon all the glory belongs to Christ. I have to say that I do take issue with a missionary receiving a 120k salary. He lives on the compound with which food, utilities, electricty, laborers who care for the food he grows such as cattle, sheep, chickens, fruit/vegatibles. Shannon and anyone living on the compound have no worry of provisions. In fact, they charge churches and volunteers from those churches to stay on the compound. As a reward they get time to go on safari’s (which the volunteers do pay for themselves)before returning to the states. These are nice things but I have found that a lot of christians go to check it off their bucket lists and it’s far cheaper this way than to pay for a trip to africa on their own. Shannon has free labor and gets to charge people to come stay on the compound. I am not surprised by El Emet’s adoration of shannon and the comfy living on the compound. It does have some cons but nothing to keep it from being uncomfortable. If Shannon and Danielle were to all of a sudden have to leave Uganda are all those 40 adopted children truly “adopted” and have papers to become american citizens? By shannon’s own words he claims they are adopted by him and danielle. Would he and his wife be able to bring them as their own to the United States to raise and care for? Anyone would say absolutely not! He would have to have more than the million he’s squirrled away. Shannon has zero living expenses unless he pays a monthly rent on land that is owned by his ministry. With animals for meat and plants for food along with day laborers to work it. If he pays for the labor I would be interested what wages he pays since the average yearly salary in Uganda for a family right outside his compoound make no more than $120 a year. SOS ministry brings in over 2.6 million a year and the cost just for office expenses is $5200 a year. Travel expenses in 2023 was $114,000 dollars, Other salaries and wages was over $300k, payroll taxs was $36,000, Transaction fees $22,000 There is no doubt there are expenses to running a ministry. If these are the costs why is he taking a six figure salary in addition to benefits?
Hello to whoever wrote this comment, I’m sorry that you had such a bad experience working with Shannon and SOS, but as someone who also lived and worked at SOS, your comment does not in any way paint a just or true picture of Shannon Hurley or this ministry.
ACCORDING TO WHO?, THE FOLLOWING LIST OF EMPLOYEE’S GIVES IT AWAY.
I have never met a man so passionately devoted to Christ or His kingdom.
YOU MEAN SHANNON’S KINGDOM? HE SURE HAS BEEN BUILDING ONE FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.
There are two SOS boards, one in Uganda and another in the states.
YOU MEAN CANADA? NOT THE STATES!
Both consist of godly, elder qualified men who keep him accountable and provide him counsel as he leads the ministry.
GODLY ELDER QUALIFIED MEN? SERIOUSLY? THE SAME MEN WHO SWEPT A CHILD RAPE CASE UNDER THE RUG AND WAS INVOLVED IN VICTIM BLAMING. THE SAME MEN WHO ARE ALL FIGHTING FOR POSITION IN SAID LEADERSHIP/ELDERSHIP?
For those who know Shannon well, we know that he is a man marked by humility and teachability, while he is still a strong leader.
YOU MEAN A MAN BUILDING A 2 MILLION DOLLAR CHURCH DEAD CENTER IN ONE OF THE POOREST NATIONS ON EARTH WHEN THERE ARE MANY THERE WHO LIVE IN MUD HUTS OUTSIDE SAID COMPOUND AND HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR JUST TO GET TO CLEAN WATER? HOW MANY WELLS WOULD 2 MILLION DOLLARS BUILD?
He has over 40 youth living in his home that he is discipling and putting through school.
WHY WOULD YOU SAY HE HAS 40 YOUTH LIVING IN HIS HOME THAT HE IS DISCIPLINING? WHY DOESN’T HE LOVE THEM?
I have never seen a man so dedicated to his marriage and family as Shannon Hurley.
HOW DO YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN HE IS DEDICATED TO HIS MARRIAGE? YOU DON’T!
He would give the shirt off of his back to a person in need.
DEPENDS ON WHOSE WATCHING.
Ask anyone who lives in the village of Kubamitwe and they would testify to this.
OF COURSE WHY WOULD THEY SAY ANY DIFFERENT, THEY HAVE NOTHING AND ANY LITTLE BIT THEY GET FROM SOS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS THEM. HOW MANY LIVE OUTSIDE THE COMPOUND WITH NO CLEAN WATER NEARBY?
For years I have had the privilege of watching Shannon Hurley lead SOS ministries and although he is not perfect (and would be the first to admit this), he is a man of godly character who loves people selflessly.
BE CAREFUL THATS GIVING HIGH PRAISE TO SOMEONE THAT IS JUST A MAN NOT GOD. AND AGAIN I SAY IT DEPENDS ON WHOSE WATCHING. YOU CAN KNOW FOR CERTAIN.
The only thing Amber got wrong is Adam Tyson being the president. He is not. He is Shannon’s brother-in-law and a member of the SOS board. Both Lakeside Bible Church and Adam Tyson’s church, Placerita Bible Church, are Shannon’s sending churches.
El Roi,
Shannon’s brother-in-law I looked it up. At various times they switch roles regarding their non-profit corporations such as SOS and Lakeside Bible Church, inc. Adam is listed as Vice President of the sending church, Lakeside Bible Church, inc. of which he used to be the youth pastor. I did some checking, and he is now the pastor at Placerita Bible Church after he left lakeside. Adam Tyson is also listed as Director/Secretary on SOS Ministries corporation. Del Seehusen, who is Adam Tyson and Shannon Hurley’s father-in-law as they are both married to Mr. Seehuen’s daughters Lisa and Danielle. Mr. Ramey who is the pastor of said church has gone to seminary with Shannon and assisted in training Adam for ministry. It seems they are all cut from the same cloth and mindset(The Masters Seminary and are trained and sent off to other churches and the mission field with Mr. Ramey’s blessing) they followed the pastor’s (Ken Ramey) lead on that abuse case Miss Amber spoke about. If I am reading this correct Amber was pointing out these men as contributors to an abuse case of which they were complicit either by knowing and doing nothing or perpetrating the abuse by simply ignoring her sister and nephew. I did go to the wartburgwatch and read about Shauna and Billy. Very disturbing, Ken Ramey was the one who caused the most harm Adam and Shannon simply went along as in they had knowledge and refused to assist in any way. They basically ignored and allowed Mr. Ramey to sweep the abuse under the rug or from what I read blame the victims. He also did what they say was place the family under discipline for reporting and not meeting with the abuser and his family. I’m pretty certain this is correct but, in the event, I am not please going read the article. I also found another blog where Billy Grahm’s grandson also shamed the pastor and the church in the treatment of their victim. Several blogs reported on the case, and I saw medical and other documents the family posted affirming the abuse. There is just way too much here to ignore.