The journey to Uganda is a long one. It took well over 30 hours of continuous travel to get there, and we arrived exhausted and with little sleep. Thankfully, after a long drive from the airport, we arrived around 2:30 in the morning and went straight to sleep.
The next morning, Shannon gave our group a tour of the whole compound. Not surprisingly, with over 160 acres, it took the better part of the morning. The compound is buzzing with activity, and it seems that there has been multiple things under construction from the time the ministry began 9 years ago. Shannon explained his vision for S.O.S. to us during this time, and it was inspiring to see someone so passionate and with seemingly no limits to what he wanted to do for God. What excited me most was the Shepherd’s Training Center, which will put students through a 4 year training program to equip them to be effective pastors in their local churches. Shannon plans to bring in men from all over Uganda, and in this way to strengthen the church there in the truth.
The 4 year program will be divided into 3 parts, first focusing on discipleship, then theology, and the leadership. Housing was being built for the students, which will be able to accommodate 80 residents. Those in the last 2 years of their training will be able to have their families live with them as well.
This amazing, very needed ministry is scheduled to begin in the next few years. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the future professors there, who is going over to America for seminary now. His amazing depth of biblical knowledge and love for the Word of God was inspiring and is something this theology starved, confused nation desperately needs.
Sadly, Uganda is plagued by many false teachers who prey on the people there. The people’s desire to be out of their poverty makes them susceptible to false teachers who preach a gospel of health and wealth. These preachers fly over to Uganda to conduct “healing ceremonies” and tell the people that if they sell all that they have and give to their ministry, God will bless them, because God wants them to be rich and healthy. Sadly, these preachers only leave them poorer than before, and they neglect to address the most important issue of any people group, their sin problem, which can only be solved through the gospel. Praise God that Shannon is making it his mission to preach the right gospel to the people of Uganda, and to train Ugandan pastors to do the same!
After touring the whole compound, we spent some time at the Legacy Christian Academy, and ate lunch with the kids. There I met a boy named Junior, who told me it was his dream to go to America some day. It was amazing to talk to a boy who was growing up in such challenging conditions yet had such a passion to learn and succeed in life.
After lunch, I partnered with a couple other people from my group, and we helped some employees of S.O.S. dig holes to build a fence around some of their unused land. This fence was needed to prevent squatters who had been raising livestock on Shannon’s land. After this, we took a walk through the village. It was startling to see how the locals live. Most live in small, one room mud or brick huts, and do their cooking outdoors. People survive by farming and eating whatever they produce, selling the excess at markets and netting under 5 dollars a month in income. It is a very sparse way of life, but the blessings S.O.S. is bringing to the area are apparent.
I’ll discuss how, and the ways I was able to see that first-hand in my next post, which should come Thursday or Friday.
are you sure you support a ministry which builds a jail cell? This was sent to Mr. Hurley.
Mr. Hurley,
I am writing as a donor and as a member of the public with an interest in responsible charitable governance.
SOS Ministries operates as a public charity supported by donor funds and granted tax-exempt status for the public benefit. With that status comes transparency, regulatory accountability, and openness to public scrutiny when credible compliance questions arise.
This correspondence serves as formal notice regarding publicly available video statements in which you reference the construction of a structure described by you as a “jail cell” within a church facility in Uganda. Regardless of terminology, the relevant consideration for governance purposes is the function of any such structure if it is designed for or used to confine, isolate, or restrict an individual’s liberty.
Trinity Foundation has publicly stated that it has reviewed and preserved video documentation of the referenced structure and has raised questions concerning related IRS Form 990 reporting by SOS Ministries. The article concerning this matter was written by Barry Bowen. Should there be any questions regarding the published reporting, Mr. Bowen can be contacted directly at 214-797-9504 or via email at trinity@trinityfi.org. Additionally, I have informed the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda in Washington, D.C., regarding publicly available reports of this structure.
Because SOS Ministries receives donor support and operates with the endorsement and sending relationship of Lakeside Bible Church (Montgomery, Texas), under the pastoral leadership of Ken Ramey, these publicly available reports reasonably warrant internal review and response.
It is important to note that this inquiry is based on the function and use of the structure as described in publicly available video statements, not the terminology employed. Any subsequent description of the space as a “holding room,” “security space,” “safe room,” or similar euphemism does not alter the relevant governance, legal, and ethical considerations. For accountability purposes, what matters is whether the space is designed or used to confine, isolate, or restrict the liberty of any individual.
Accordingly, I am asking you directly and unequivocally:
Have you, at any time prior to the construction of the referenced “jail cell,” confined, placed, or caused to be placed any Ugandan national, missionary, staff member, volunteer, adult, or minor in a locked room or other space for the purpose of restricting that individual’s liberty?
Since the construction of the referenced structure, have you confined, placed, or caused to be placed any Ugandan national, missionary, staff member, volunteer, adult, or minor in that structure or any other locked or secured room for the purpose of restricting that individual’s liberty?
These questions call for a clear yes-or-no response.
In publicly available video statements, you have indicated that you would place an individual in the “jail cell” if that person were drunk or if you found them “doing something wrong.” This raises additional governance and legal concerns.
Specifically:
What legal authority do you believe grants you the power to detain and confine an individual on the ministry compound?
Who granted you that authority?
What objective, written policy defines “doing something wrong” in a manner that would justify depriving a person of their liberty?
What procedural safeguards exist to prevent arbitrary, subjective, or punitive confinement based solely on your personal determination?
Absent formal arrest powers under Ugandan law, please explain on what legal basis you believe you may lock an adult or minor in a room or cell for misconduct, intoxication, or other perceived wrongdoing.
1. Compliance with Ugandan Law
Article 23 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (Protection of Personal Liberty) provides that no person shall be deprived of personal liberty except in accordance with the law and specifies that a person arrested or detained must be brought before a court within forty-eight hours (Const. of the Republic of Uganda (1995), Art. 23(1), 23(4)(b)). Lawful detention requires proper statutory authority, confinement in a legally recognized facility, and judicial oversight. Private individuals or organizations do not possess arrest or detention authority absent formal legal deputization under Ugandan law. Unlawful detention may give rise to civil liability, criminal prosecution, and constitutional claims for redress.
Accordingly, please answer the following specifically and without qualification:
Does SOS Ministries, or any of its personnel, possess lawful authority under Ugandan law to detain or confine individuals?
Is any structure affiliated with SOS legally recognized or gazetted as a detention facility under Ugandan law?
Has any adult or minor ever been placed in a locked room or secured space on the ministry compound for the purpose of restricting liberty, whether before or after construction of the referenced structure? If so, identify the legal authority relied upon.
2. Governance and Sending Church Oversight
As the sending church publicly associated with SOS Ministries, Lakeside Bible Church (Montgomery, Texas), under the leadership of Ken Ramey, maintains a spiritual, fiduciary, and reputational relationship with your ministry.
Has the church leadership reviewed your public statements regarding the potential detention of individuals for intoxication or misconduct?
Has any internal review been conducted regarding the legality or appropriateness of confining individuals under your authority?
3. Donor Transparency
As a donor and member of the public, I believe it is appropriate to ask:
Whether donor funds were used, directly or indirectly, in the construction or maintenance of the referenced structure.
Whether continued financial support has been reviewed in light of the publicly reported concerns.
Public charities operate for the benefit of the public and are appropriately subject to inquiry when issues affecting legal compliance and human dignity are raised in documented, publicly accessible formats.
This inquiry is made in good faith and in the interest of accountability and transparency.
For purposes of transparency, this correspondence is being copied to Julie Roys and Barry Bowen, Haajrah Gilani with the Houston Chronicle for journalistic awareness and documentation.
I would appreciate a written response addressing these questions directly and specifically.
Respectfully,
A Concerned Donor and Member of the Public