Soroti clergy encouraged to prepare for their exit

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Soroti city and district church leaders have been urged to prepare for their retirement by focusing on disciple-making to enhance their congregations and impact their communities for Christ.

Apostle John Poda, the East African Coordinator of For His Glory Evangelistic Ministries, emphasises that making disciples should be a priority for those stepping into pastoral and leadership roles as they prepare for a smooth transition.

He advocates for a shift in perspective regarding disciple-making, suggesting that church leaders should encourage their members to engage in ministry actively. 

“We need to change the approach from ‘grow then go’ to ‘grow as you go," he says.

“When we welcome new believers into the church, we see them as newborns in faith. It's crucial to train and nurture them as disciples, as true growth comes not just from hearing the Word but from living it.”

Poda challenges the clergy to reconsider their reliance on fervent prayers asking God for more believers. 

“Jesus sent His disciples out to make more disciples,” he points out, underscoring the importance of action over passive waiting.

The co-ordinator also warns that if church leaders fail to fill their congregations with the Holy Spirit, achieving their mission will remain elusive. Instead of merely delivering feel-good messages, they must engage in the deeper, transformative work that discipleship requires.

“To foster a vibrant and growing church capable of transforming communities, we must prioritise building a community of disciples,” Poda says.

He notes that while preaching and welcoming new members can seem straightforward, truly building a community takes time, courage, commitment, and sacrifice.

The co-ordinator explains that leaders should be prepared for some believers to leave as they embark on this journey, as not everyone will choose to follow.

“It’s not just about making church disciples; it’s about developing those disciples to go out and create more disciples, perpetuating this cycle. You can’t grow a church alone; it requires those willing to step up as true disciples,” Poda says.

He highlights that every believer has a unique personal testimony that can resonate even more profoundly than scripture itself. Clergy must empower these individuals to share their experiences beyond the Church, reaching out to non-believers to foster further discipleship.

According to him, pastors and church leaders need to encourage both new and long-standing members to share their testimonies, particularly with those outside the church walls, rather than focusing solely on internal gatherings.

Soroti Pastors and Church leaders being trained on Wednesday. (Credit: Delux Emmy Alomu)

This call to action came during a Training for Trainers (T4T) workshop centred on disciple-making, hosted by Preachers Mission Africa (PMA) with the support of For His Glory Ministries at Soroti Main Baptist Church on November 19, 2025. 

Bishop Samuel Ongonda, representing the director of For His Glory Ministries in Africa, stressed the importance of consuming knowledge and then releasing it.

He emphasised that disciples, after being nurtured, should actively go out and share what they’ve learned to attract more individuals into the faith.

The bishop also cautioned pastors and church leaders to remain alert to those who falsely claim to perform miracles, warning against situations where people are reacting to cold water rather than the Holy Spirit.

Ongonda advocated for church denominations to stay focused and united as a singular body of Christ, all striving toward the Kingdom of God.

PMA president and chief executive officer Nelson Oboli said: Our mission is to actively involve the African Church in discipleship so that the Gospel reaches every corner of Africa. We do this through mobilisation, training, empowerment and providing resources to local churches, all aimed at fulfilling the Great Commission. Partnerships like these are essential for us to achieve our mission.

Soroti Pastors and Elders Fellowship (SOPEF) vice-chairperson, the Rev. Girifasio Orono, expressed gratitude for the collaboration between PMA and For His Glory Ministries.

He noted that this partnership has helped clarify misconceptions among some clergy who believe that God should always do the work of making disciples, rather than taking on that responsibility themselves.

Pastor Simon Omeke of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) in Soroti and the Rev. Roger Martin Ekaju of Soroti City Main Baptist Church expressed their appreciation for the team and expressed a desire for further insights related to the shared information.

Pastor Omeke pointed out that many preachers have been calling on God to bring more people into the Church, instead of actively going out to make disciples themselves.

Founded in 2019, PMA, a non-denominational and non-profit mission organisation, is committed to discipling and mentoring ministers and believers by partnering with the churches in the Nations of Africa.

PMA’s primary goal is to bring the hope of the Gospel to the last miles of Africa with their slogan “Until all Africa shall be reached.”