The Bible Society of Uganda

Currently we operate FCBH program in Mukono, Luwero, Mityana, some parts of Mpigi and Kampala. Since the commencement of the program 545 listening groups have been established in churches, schools, homes and communities. The scriptures are listened to in radio like devices called Proclaimers. We have these recorded in Luganda, English and Kiswahili and Acholi and Ngakaramajong. Kumam has just been recorded, Kupsapiny, Runyakore-Rukiga languages are in plan to be recorded.

Testimonies:

•        For the first time FCBH was launched on one of the Christian Radios run by The Central Uganda conference of the SDA Church. A portion of Scriptures are listened to, after which callers are given the telephone numbers to use when calling to participate in the program. After sometime the guests and hosts in the program participate in the sharing. One caller David Kimera did not know that the bible can also talk. He appreciates the initiative that made this possible.
•       Bbira Brian of Search Light of God testifies that the word of God through this program has helped him to reconcile with his Father. Before his involvement in the program, he used to be unruly and disrespectful towards his parents. In addition the knowledge from God’s Word has helped him to know how to preach.
•        Talemwa Robinah has learnt to live at peace with her colleagues, forgiveness and to control her anger. She used to be impatient towards the brethren in the church i.e. Search Light of God.
•        Patrick Kyakonyi a member of Nangunga listening group testifies that through FCBH program he is able to quote the word of God and preach. He is unable to read but depends on listening to the audio program and is grateful so much to the Bible Society of Uganda for this program.
•        Search Light of God Church has noted an increase in baptism candidates since the program started in the Church. 20 People were baptized in the month of February 2009.
•        Through FCBH program, Andrew Mukasa and David Bunya (Heads of families) led their family members in getting converted to Christianity. This happened in Mafunkwe C.O.U in Luwero Diocese.
•        In Kiwumpa Listening group two couples ceremonised their marriages after a long time of staying together in a family way. These are Mr & Mrs Kigozi and Mr & Mrs Lumu. It is through listening to the Word of God in the FCBH program that they were convicted to ceremonise their marriage.
•        In Bunyenye C.O.U the program has revived the attendance of young people in the Church. FCBH has attracted them to love the word of God and this has been evidenced in their participation in church activities and meetings.
•        Jennifer of Bunyenye C.O.U was stopped from studying by her parents for no apparent reason. She joined the listening group in this church and was encouraged by 1^st Timothy 4:12 to respect her parents and to set a good example. When she went back home after praying to God, she was restored back to school by her parents.
•        One lady from St. Mary Theresa listening group in Ndeeba Parish thanked God for the conversion of Apostle Paul. This lady prior to the listening of Acts 9 used to criticize the Christians who used to attend the daily Masses at the Church. She dismissed them as pretenders. Through this program she is encouraged to participate. Actually she now attends mass from Monday to Sunday.
•        The married couples in St. Anthony in Nalukolongo a Kampala suburb have been encouraged to be faithful to their marriage vows because of the encouragement of the scriptures.
•        In charity listening group one of the group members and a child testified that before being introduced to the program, he disliked reading the bible because it was hard to understand hence boring. Since then his desire to posses and read the Word of God has been ignited; he now owns a bible from which he reads while alone.
•        Mrs Habalivera Sylvia testifies that participating in FCBH has enabled her to make time for God to listen to His word. She is a busy working woman yet she desires to read the Word of God.
•        During the lent period, church attendance increased. This opened up opportunities for some members who prior to the lent period were not participating in the program. This has ushered them into a time of personal reflection and meditation of God’s Word through FCBH program.

Challenges:

FCBH program like any other faces challenges such as;

• Sudden changes in the weather which hinder the flow of participation.
• Different church activities which disrupt the listening process.
• Poor time keeping of participants, some members come late for the listening and find that the listening of the portions for the day is over.
• Decline in zeal to continue listening,
• low participation of men and children in the program amoung others.

The FCBH work is a noble cause which calls for a lot of sacrifice from all the stakeholders. The donors are doing their part to enable us receive the audio bibles, the churches need to support the program and the colporteurs who reach them with FCBH as the later and group leaders facilitate the listening. Sacrifice comes with a cost in terms of time, health, money etcetera. This calls for more prayers to be made for all of us participating so that together we can build God’s kingdom.

"FCBH goes to the air waves," Mr. Katerega Lawrence (right) together with the Radio hosts at Prime Radio answering questions from callers during the scripture listening program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pupils of Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga Memorial Primary School responding to the questions asked after listening to the proclaimer (Audio New Testament) Luganda Language

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A picture showing Participants of Lusenke C.O.U listening to the Audio Luganda New Testament