WHO WE ARE:
Lightshine Evangelical Ministries is a faith based outreach organization founded by members of the Butema Baptist Church, mainly to reach vulnerable children, women (especially widows), and to help care for the elderly and other community needs around Butema. The organization is managed by a board under the leadership of an executive director. We are actively searching for international friends who may be interested in our strategy, vision, and work. We seek to put into practice a ministry that cares for the spiritual and physical needs of our community. This includes equipping leaders, promoting care, and making the concerns of the needy our very own concerns – and by doing so to share and make obvious God’s love for all people, especially to those who are most in need.
MISSION:
Reaching the lost , winning souls, and supporting the needy through partnerships. Our mission goals are:
1. Reaching children for Christ
2. Equipping youths for ministry
3. Empowering women to support the ministry
4. To show love and care to the poor, especially to those who are sick or less able to care for themselves, such as orphans, elderly and widows.
As disciples of Christ, we find it important to reach out to the church and communities to seek ways which can provide a long term solution to the needs and problems which affect the church and community. Therefore, the mission and purpose of this organization is the mission of Jesus Christ, to make disciples, train believers, and to continue the Great Commission.
Some of the major problems affecting the Butema community are poverty and broken family support structures caused by effects of HIV/AIDS, food scarcity with over population, and draughts year-over-year due to poor environmental management. While the organization is committed to leading people to Christ and nurturing them in faith, it’s important to also minister and strive to alleviate suffering and pain caused by these practical difficulties.
IN PRACTICE:
We serve our community in many ways, including but not limited to the following:
- Community outreach for evangelistic purposes.
- Providing food to those who are most in need of care, orphans, and vulnerable children.
- Other services and support for community members in need – the elderly, widows, orphans, and those who are sick.
- Reaching children, teenagers, and young adults in and out of school to win them to Christ and equipping them to share the hope and joy of Christ, especially with peers.
- Mobilizing women to take action with their own income generation, to also support each other – to be self-supporting and sustaining.
- Establishing schools and orphanages.
- Child survival program for pregnant mothers and babies.
- Safe water projects.
STRATEGIC NEEDS:
As an organization operating in a poor district, it should not come as a surprise that financial assistance goes a long way towards helping us with our goals. This is the reality – local resources are limited, but physical needs are constant. We strive to educate, teach, and equip our community towards self-sustaining work and incomes, but we cannot change economic poverty overnight, nor societal distress, nor environmental blight, nor the pain of ailments. In light of this, we ask with humble hearts that God will provide saintly friendship to us as we pursue the following goals:
- Construction of a children’s home.
- Feeding and educational for orphans and vulnerable children.
- Helping to build shelters for local widows and the elderly poor.
- Carrying out agricultural empowerment programs for the economy.
- Construction of a heath center for the community.
- Skills development equipment (ex. computers, carpentry tools, sewing machines, and more).
- Construction of classrooms, to add on the existing ones.
- Support for pregnant mothers and their babies.
- Construction and maintenance of safe water facilities both at schools and the community.
- A large van like vehicle for travel needs.
HOW TO HELP:
We are a small and agile team working towards the goals listed above. Since we are not large, we are highly flexible and very direct with any funds given. If you want to get to know our community, then you may with us. If you want to buy a specific item for a specific person, then you may. If you want to come and visit, we would be overjoyed to welcome you into our work and lives. Here are some suggestions of ways to help:
Sponsorship (one time, monthly, or quarterly)
- Individual child (orphan or in need)
- Pregnant mother and/or baby.
- Individual widow
- Elderly men & women alike
- Those who are sick or disabled
Volunteer
- Any help with construction projects (labor, resources, consulting, etc.)
- Any hands on volunteering of time, skills, and/or labor.
Projects and Partnerships
Organizations/churches/ministries/individuals can all help by adopting a project, donating one time on specific project, or partner on long term basis.
NEED FOR MISSIONS PARTNER ORGANIZATION
We are seeking an organizational partner that may act as a mediator/ representative of our Uganda based organization in other countries, especially to groups and people in the United States. For example, to assist with organizing and carrying out support initiatives, receiving donations, networking, and providing tax benefits to supporters overseas.
“… Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7