Moses Ogen stood out in a dry, grassy clearing in the Omoro District of Uganda, the white-bright sun high overhead. All around him, residents of a nearby village chattered, mingled and worked together with Texans on Mission volunteers, raising wooden beams and posts high into the sky to form a structure. Over the course of four days, this frame would become the physical manifestation of the 46th church launched by Texans and Ugandans on Mission.
However, this village church which had grown large enough for a building, had much simpler beginnings. According to Ogen, T&UM ministry manager, it all started with water.
Ogen said T&UM treats the process of providing villages with access to clean water as a means to improve their physical health and spiritual wellness. Drilling wells has opened doors for members of the organization to preach the gospel, he said.
“The water started it, the Word of God followed and now the church has come,” Ogen said.
T&UM ministry director Samuel Ojok — also present at the church construction — said this water-to-Word method is referred to as a “discipleship-making movement.”
“From the discipleship-making movement, we get Bible studies,” Ojok said. “For example, we now have 476 Bible groups.”
James Olare, an evangelist assisting with the construction, said his community began to gather for Bible studies in 2024 after T&UM drilled a borehole in the clearing. It drew villagers to the water weekly, and the gathering eventually sparked worship and exploration of the Word.
“It was not yet the church, but we used to sit here with the community that uses this borehole and actually share the word of God and then go home,” Olare said. “And then afterwards, we came up with the idea of starting a church.”
The church, which now consists of 38 members, began last year in May, Olare said. Now T&UM is celebrating planting its 53rd church, with 24,600 people currently meeting at weekly Bible studies.
Mitch Chapman, Director of Water Impact, said God’s presence in this work is evident through the faithfulness of TXM’s donors and volunteers.
“It is our goal to bring clean sustainable water to everyone in the world while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Chapman said. “We’re celebrating the victories earned here and are pushing forward to reach even farther with the gift of clean water and servant hearts.”
Olare said he sees the church they have started in the Omoro District reproducing one day. He is grateful to T&UM for the assistance in creating a place of worship for his village.
“Thank you so much for your support, mostly for sending us the volunteers and supporting us in the church construction,” Olare said.
Your support helps expand clean water access to more people, providing opportunities for TXM to also share the love and hope of Christ. Donate today to support our Water Impact ministry and help transform lives in Uganda.