In the northern Ugandan district of Omoro, a spiritual transformation is taking root. New churches are being planted, and through Texans on Mission, the Water Impact team is building something lasting: a mission network of pastors who are well trained and fully equipped for ministry.
While TXM leaders saw potential in these pastors, most lacked theological training. The Church Leaders’ Conference hosted by Texans & Ugandans on Mission, now running for its second year, was established to bridge that critical gap. It is a lifeline for leaders in the church, drawing participants from across Omoro.
Held this year on March 23-26, the conference’s purpose was to help pastors grow in Christ. Under this year’s theme, “Empowering Church Leaders for Effective Ministries,” participants learned basic business skills and improved preaching tactics — strengthening their local churches in the process.
Ochan Stephen, a pastor in Omoro who attended the conference, said that prior to attending the pastors’ conference, his sermon preparation process was practically non-existent.
“I used to pick a scripture, go to the pulpit and start preaching without going through the steps of preparing a sermon,” Stephen said.
Similarly, Adero Irene, a pastor from a Gulu District sub-county called Palaro, said preparing a sermon used to mean stringing together thoughts without any particular structure or order. Everything changed when Irene learned how to read the Bible more deeply and organize messages with care.
“Through training, I discovered a vital truth,” Irene said. “Studying the Word of God requires understanding the context of each scripture. Only by grasping the original meaning could I interpret it well for the people I serve. This approach brought new life to my preaching and new confidence to my ministry.”
Perhaps most powerfully, the pastors learned how to do godly business, so that they can care for their own families while preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No more choosing between feeding their children and feeding their congregation. Now, they can do both.
At its core, the conference was a structured, intensive learning environment designed to equip pastors, denomination heads and T&UM staff with the essential knowledge, practical skills and spiritual guidance they need.
The event was more than just a series of lectures; it was a transformative assembly aimed at empowering leaders to effectively shepherd congregations, lead worship, manage ministries and foster spiritual growth within their communities.
Through the curriculum, pastors learned about biblical interpretation, the art of preaching and how to prevent burnout within their pastoral journey — foundational skills for any teacher, according to Joel Okurut, HR Manager with T&UM.
“The topics shared this year were incredibly helpful in equipping us to share the Word of God more effectively,” he said.
Another session offered about discovering spiritual gifts taught pastors how to identify their unique talents and how to deploy them for service within their congregations.
According to Mitch Chapman, director of Water Impact at TXM, most people have five spiritual gifts, which should be poured into once identified.
“What we find is, instead of pouring into those five, we spend all of our time on the 35 we're no good at,” Chapman said. “We think we need to be well rounded, and so we spend a lot of time teaching pastors: stop focusing on the 35. Focus on the five, and then find people who are in the other 35 and surround yourself with them.”
When it came to spiritual gifts, Okurut said he was especially moved by the story of David in the Bible — how he saw himself as a servant of the Lord and the people.
“It taught me that we are meant to serve, not simply to lead,” Okurut said. “I also learned how to identify my own spiritual gifts and was encouraged to contribute to the building of God’s kingdom using my gifts of hospitality and giving.”
In essence, the conference was a declaration that these leaders are not alone. It is an investment in their spiritual vitality, their practical competence and their profound dignity as shepherds of God’s people.
“The training challenged me spiritually, stirring a deeper hunger to seek God and serve Him wholeheartedly,” Irene said.