Jeremiah's story for Kampala Day 2

Returning to Uganda after a long absence, Jeremiah Situka, project lead for Sovereign Wings of Hope's Teaching & Preaching Engagement, found himself standing on the threshold of a powerful spiritual experience. "I was nervous," Jeremiah admits. It wasn’t his first time preaching, but it had been a while since he had shared a message in his home country. That morning, he meticulously reviewed his sermon over and over again, preparing to deliver two different messages at churches across Kampala. The words felt right, but something was missing. “Something I didn’t quite know until I made it to worship that morning,” he reflects.

Jeremiah’s first stop was Redeemed of the Lord Evangelistic Church, where a group of Congolese refugees led worship with a song they had written about God's provision, calling Him "Yaweh." The song came from their personal story of finding refuge in Uganda, a foreign land that became their home through God's care. What they didn’t know, though, was how closely their story aligned with the message Jeremiah had prepared—a sermon on the book of Ruth, which also centers on God’s provision in the face of hardship. Moved by the power of the moment, Jeremiah reworked the conclusion of his sermon, changing its title to reflect the theme of Yahweh’s faithful care.

“When there looks to be no way, there’s our God, Yahweh,” he preached, resonating deeply with the congregation. The story of Ruth, a widow who found hope in the midst of devastation, mirrored the lives of many in the church. Uganda has faced its own set of challenges, particularly the economic setbacks following the COVID-19 pandemic. Inflation soared, businesses crumbled, and countless families wondered how they would survive. But Jeremiah’s sermon reminded them that God is the author of redeeming stories, bringing hope even in the darkest of circumstances. "To quote my mom, ‘Ruth was preaching,’" Jeremiah chuckled. But it was more than just his words. “God’s word comes alive by the Holy Spirit,” he said.

As the sermon concluded, Jeremiah saw firsthand the impact of this message of hope. “One person decided to come forward and give their life to Jesus Christ,” he recalls with joy. God's work was evident in every heart touched that day.

But the surprises didn’t end there. Before the sermon, Mie Situka was invited to share an African song, a spontaneous opportunity that fit perfectly into the flow of the service. It was as if God was weaving His message through every song and word spoken that morning.

After the first service ended, plans for the second service hit an unexpected roadblock. The congregation at the next church had to cancel due to sickness spreading among its members. Faced with this change, Jeremiah and his team prayed and decided to preach again during the second service at Redeemed of the Lord. The message continued to reach hearts. One attendee, touched by the message of Ruth, said, “I cannot believe God has a plan for us even when our circumstances are hard. His way is truly the best.”

 Jeremiah left the Redeemed of the Lord Evangelistic Church with a heart full of gratitude, but his work in Uganda was far from over. This sermon was just the beginning. It sparked a renewed excitement and confidence that God was going to work mightily through him and the broader Sovereign Wings of Hope project. With each new preaching engagement, teaching session, and community outreach that followed, Jeremiah felt a deep sense of purpose. The Holy Spirit had set the tone, and now Jeremiah knew that God would continue using him to bless Uganda in profound ways—bringing hope, healing, and transformation to the people he had been called to serve.