Our last two days in Uganda were in my opinion some of the best we spent there. The fellowship we shared with believers from around the world was encouraging. What was even more encouraging was hearing the true gospel being preached by people from around the world, and to worship together with them.
On Sunday morning, we went to church at Community Bible Church of Kubamitwe, which is the church on the compound of S.O.S. We first attended Sunday school, where 4 Kenyan pastors who were also visiting shared the gospel and what it meant to them and to those attending. After they shared, two of our pastors shared as well. It was amazing to see such unity of message between men from across the globe.
After Sunday school, we all migrated over to the main worship center for service. Over 300 people were in attendance there, and the church was packed to the brim with people. Worship began with some lively worship music, including drums, a piano, and a large group of singers up front. We sang songs like Mighty is Our God, 10,000 Reasons, and How Great Thou Art, with English and Lugandan words mixed together. It was really special to hear familiar songs be sung in the native language as well as our own.
After singing, Shannon, the head of S.O.S, preached a sermon about spiritual warfare. He talked about how God has power over the evil forces of this world, and preached against those in Uganda who try to cast out demons. After the sermon, there was a short question and answer time, and we got insight into the culture of Uganda during this. People asked about their ancestors turning into demons because that’s what they had been taught, and they also asked about going to witch doctors to be healed or speak to their ancestors. Shannon continued to stress that only God has power over the darkness, and that the witch doctors are deceivers who don’t understand what they are messing with. It was fascinating to see how the culture had affected the people there in ways we would never have thought about.
After church, we rested most of the day until that evening when we watched a soccer game between S.O.S. and a local village team. S.O.S. won, and it was a fun time with lots of spectators from the surrounding area who got very involved in the game. The audience blew air horns and shouted throughout the game, and when S.O.S. won, someone drove their moped on the field and did donuts while everyone celebrated.
Later that night, we had a special time of worship in Shannon’s living room. His wife played the piano and our group, along with the Kenyan pastors and Shannon’s family, sung hymn after hymn at the top of our lungs, our hearts spilling over with thankfulness to God for all He had done on the trip. That special worship night will be one of the most fond memories I take away from that trip.
The next day, we prepared to leave. We spent the day in the capital city of Kampala, eating a nice dinner at a mall there and shopping for souvenirs before setting off for the airport. After a tense 4 hour drive through traffic, which was only 20 miles and should have taken 45 minutes, we barely arrived at the airport in time to catch our flight, and we set off for home at around midnight. That last four hour journey was certainly an exercise in trusting God for me as we wasted away the precious hours of travel time sitting on the streets of Kampala!
After arriving home, I’ve had a couple weeks to think about the trip and what I could learn from it. One specific conversation I had with my mom about it stands out in my mind, so I’m going to leave you with these thoughts that she shared with me; As Christians, we are called to serve, and not just when it is easy or enjoyable to us. Sometimes we have to be sacrificial of our own time, resources, and desires to serve. This isn’t meant to be enjoyable in the moment, but we must realize that as we sacrifice to serve others, even if it’s hard in the moment, the rewards will come in 3 ways. They are:
- Our strengthened relationship with God. We become more Christ-like when we sacrifice in the same way Jesus did.
- Our joy that comes when we see the fruit of our labor. It could be years before we see any fruit from our service, but when we do, we can rejoice in it!
- Jesus promises that whatever we sacrifice will be rewarded to us in heaven. These won’t be physical rewards or riches, but spiritual rewards and riches that come from the joy that will overflow from seeing Christ face to face. (2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:14-15, Ephesians 6:8)
I’ll be back next week with thoughts on my trip to D3 Youth Conference this week!
Mr Gibbs,
Mankind has forgotten the first law given by God to mankind “Fear the Lord thy God”
“The Father” has heard his “children” cries and judgment is upon thee. Repent from thy wicked ways and salvation shall be granted and “peace” shall fall upon the land.
“The world is watching” and waiting for Christ’s return for final judgment. Praise and Glory be to God the most high.
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Do you support a ministry which builds itself a jail cell to put the very people in who he says he serves, just asking?
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