Sending Community Empowers Youth in Uganda Through Teach Men to Fish

The following article is reproduced from the latest edition of The Messenger with extra pictures that did not make it into print. Read the full edition of The Messenger at this link!

The saying goes that “no man is an island,” and this is especially true of missionaries. SAMS Missionary Bridger Patrick Lutalo has a team of people behind him, championing his mission. His community at Christ Church in Colorado has supported him since September 2016 in the establishment of Teach Men to Fish in Uganda which provides youth with vocational skills while discipling them in Christ.

Patrick observed that many teenagers in Mityana, Uganda, are vulnerable and, in desperation, often become ensnared by crime, drugs, and prostitution. He responded by forming a ministry employing his extensive experience in construction to equip others. The apprentices are currently constructing a new maternity facility for the local community.Patrick recently updated his Senders: “As we give the apprentices skills, they are also giving back to their own community to show how God’s love and compassion can be shared with others.”

Patrick’s community at Christ Church has played a vital role in getting the mission off the ground. A core group of 12-18 men, who meet weekly for Bible study at 6:30 a.m. led an initiative among all the men of the church to raise $5,000 for a concrete mixer and brick maker. The apprentices are using this equipment to construct the maternity facility. Sender Cynthia McRae, also of Christ Church, shares her joy: “I am committed to this ministry because I have a sense of the deep needs of folks there. Patrick is providing an education and skills-training to young people who have had little [or] no opportunity to learn a trade, to provide hope or a future for themselves and their families. I admire him enormously and am very privileged to assist [Patrick] in any way I can.” God is working through Patrick and his Senders to help young people build buildings and build up their lives in Christ. Patrick shares that the ultimate goal for the youth in their community is to “build His kingdom.”