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September 8, 2025 - A GROW story by Rheanna Rosenthal
If I am changed, my whole community will be changed.
Pastor Godfrey
Pastor Godfrey leads New Jerusalem, a church belonging to the Pentecostal Assemblies of God. In June, Pastor Godfrey participated in the Timothy Leader Training (TLT) program, an opportunity for 40 pastors to gather for several days at Emmanuel International training centre to be strengthened in their leadership and pastoral skills. Over several days, this cohort of pastors was spiritually fed by three speakers.
Pastor Godfrey shared that at TLT, he was challenged in his ability to listen well. Hearing is different than listening, he explained. Listening involves paying attention to the individual in front of him. It involves discernment, an ability to invite God’s Spirit into conversations he has with the people he serves.
Pastor Godfrey almost gave up on his pastoral role before this training. He felt discouraged by his congregation’s lack of participation in projects. And Pastor Godfrey explained that he heard people, but didn’t listen well.
Since the training, Pastor Godfrey’s church community has commented on the change that has happened in his heart. The way he prays and the way he praises God are new ways -- ways in step with Jesus himself.
Pastor Godfrey found a renewed strength for his ministry
Some key leaders of New Jerusalem Church
Sunday school song
The rented building where the church meets
Pastor Godfrey has assessed his new condition, saying “I have that compassion for the souls.” When he notices someone’s absence from church on a Sunday, he now feels compelled to go visit them. In the month following his TLT training, Pastor Godfrey has visited five people in their homes, praying with and over them. They’ve been comforted by his presence and prayers, he said. TLT taught Pastor Godfrey to be a good shepherd, and to have compassion on his sheep.
New Jerusalem is now working together to farm a sunflower field. Pastor Godfrey is excited about the church’s new participation in a common project. New Jerusalem, currently renting a worship space, now owns their own land, and will work to raise the money to build their own church building. He asks for prayers, that they’ll raise the money they need to have a permanent church home.
When asked what he’s excited about, Pastor Godfrey said that in his leadership, it’s not him doing the work, but someone in him.
"I am a jerry can," he said, "empty, and ready to carry water."
Thank you to every person who has supported the Timothy Leadership Training under the GROW ministry of Emmanuel International Uganda. Your partnership is making a real differences in the lives of real people in Northern Uganda through equipping pastors to share real hope in Christ.
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