Ezekiel 22:30 – “I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn’t have to destroy it…”
Today was an unbelievable day. It was one of those life-defining days, ranking up there at the top of the list. We flew from Nairobi to Kampala, Uganda early this morning and spent the day visiting Watoto Childcare Ministries, an extension of Kampala Pentecostal Church. There’s so much I want to say about what I experienced today, but I want to start with how it all began.
Gary and Marilyn Skinner and their three small children moved to the nation of Uganda in 1983 to start a church in the heart of the capital city of Kampala. God led them to Uganda in the middle of one of the worst periods of history the nation has ever seen. Most people have heard of the bloody and ruthless dictator, Idi Amin, who led Uganda in the ’70s. You may have read the book or seen the movie, Raid on Entebbe. If you haven’t, check it out. It’s a long story, but the events of the book/movie took place during Idi Amin’s rule. Pretty cool book. Anyway, many people don’t realize that after Idi Amin was overthrown in 1979, Uganda was ruled by another brutal leader named Milton Obote. From 1980 to 1985, he literally ripped the country apart. Some estimate that 300,000 Ugandans lost their lives in that five-year period.
At a time when most people were fleeing Uganda, the Skinners were moving in with a vision to build a local church that would change their city, their nation and the world. At one point, when literally all foreigners had been evacuated, the US Ambassador came to them and said, “You really need to think about why you’re here.” All the Westerners had been evacuated. I think the US Embassy had closed and the only Westerners that remained were the Ambassador, the two Marines that guarded him, and the Skinner family. Their stories of those years will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. They were robbed multiple times. At one point a soldier had a gun pointed to Gary’s head and was ordered to fire and kill him, but the gun didn’t fire three times in a row when the man pulled the trigger…I’m talking wild stuff. They stayed planted. They persevered. Today, Uganda is a much different place, and the church they started with 75 people in a hotel ballroom is 15,000 strong and making an incredible impact around the world.
I could keep going on and on about the Skinners and their story because its incredible and inspiring, but I really want to focus for a second on that statement the American Ambassador made to them, sort of like a question – You really need to think about why you’re here. He thought that might move them, but it really strengthened their resolve to stay. That’s a relevant question for all of us. Why are you where you are today? Are you there by conviction, by calling? If so, you need to stay. You need to fight through the madness and resistance and stand strong. When God calls us to do something, the enemy fights it. Fight him back! Stand up and stand strong. Don’t quit.
I was thinking about something else today…When something great needs to be done, God doesn’t start with the something, He starts with someone. I hope that makes sense. Whatever it is, God isn’t going to do it Himself, He’s going to call someone to do it. He’ll get it done through someone. I love this verse from the book of Acts talking about Moses…
Acts 7:23 – “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.”
This verse marks the very beginning of God dealing with Moses and delivering His people from bondage in Egypt. It started with a burden, a calling that God gave Moses. This was before the plagues, the Red Sea, before all of that…
It started with someone.
Hey, will you be that someone? Will you say yes, and be that one whom God uses to bring heaven’s plans to earth?
II Chronicles 16:9 – “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Check back for the remarkable story of the Watoto Children’s Homes…
Proverbs 31:8-9 – “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Pastor John, from half a world around you deliver and awesome word!!! We hope you are enjoying yourself. It’s wonderful to see missions like this unfold. I’m praying that we be able to send teams out simultaneously. Go Global!!!
Pastor John, thanks for sharing the story of the Skinner’s. It is truly inspiring. I love your statement that, “When something great needs to be done, God doesn’t start with the something, He starts with someone”. It does beg one to ponder where they at in life and what God is wanting to do through them.
Thank you for sharing all that is going on during the trip. It truly makes us feel a part of it.
Hi
I had the priviledge to hear Marilyn Skinner talk at the Hillsong’s Colour Conference. God really touched my heart and I know that He is pointing me in a certain direction. Thanks for the inspiration!
I was so inspired and convicted since seeing the Invisible Children movie followed by Marilyn Skinners passionate message at Colour Conference that I haven’t been able to shake it from my spirit. It has reached deep down inside me and I have resolved to be obedient to God’s call on my life and make a difference instead of being distracted by the humdrum of day to day life. Thanks for the inspirational shove!
the skinner’s may not know it but they have inspired a generation of people to rise up and help in delivering the suffering people in uganda from the kingdom of desperation. Marylin inspired me at the hillsong colour conference and i was moved as was everyone else i am determined to visit the watoto ministry very soon
Last night we had a womens’ evening at our church and Marilyn Skinner was the guest speaker. What an amazing woman of God! Thank you so much for sharing a part of your life. My prayer for 20 years is that my mother (which is the same age as Marilyn) will come to know Jesus and except Him as her Saviour, but lots and lots of healing needs to take place. Please stand in agreement with me for my mother so that she can also be the secret weapon of God that Marilyn spoke about!
Earlier this year God reignited a desire in my heart into a flame that will not go out, after hearing Marilyn Skinner minister at the Colour Conference and share about the Invisible Children.My heart was moved in such a way, that the only response I could give was one of gratitude to my heavenly Father for what he saved me from.For the answered prayer of a loving Husband and 4 beautiful children that are truly awesome blessings in my life, beautiful treasures in my crown. The incredible priviledge of sharing Jesus with my children is the greatest gift I can give them, to know that my husband loves the Lord with all his heart, serves him with a humbleness that I so admire and desire to aspire to; That our children love Jesus and desire to use the gifts that he has placed within them to impact other peoples lives for his Kingdom is overwhelming.I have resolved to be obedient to the call on my life,to be used as God’s secret weapon, I’m not going to be silent any more, or worried about what others may think my call or purpose is,my obedience to Him is way better than any sacrifice that I could offer. God will make a way where there seems there isn’t a way. I’m going to Uganda, I desire to love and tell these precious young men,women and children that there is a God who loves them , that they are precious, of great value,that He can restore them and make them whole again. I offer up my cup to you God!
Earlier this year God reignited a desire in my heart that has turned into a burning flame.After hearing Marilyn Skinner minister at Colour Conference this year and share about the Invisible children in Uganda, my heart is full of greatfulness for all God has saved me from and done in my life.I have resolved in my heart to be obedient to the call he has placed on my life, to be used as His secret weapon, I know more than ever now that my obedience is a far greater blessing to my Father than any sacrifice that I offer.I am going to visit Watoto soon, I cannot be silent any longer, God will make a way where there seems there isn’t a way!
Just this past Saturday I was drawn to pray for Uganda and the Acholi people. I very seldom turn on my TV at 4 o’clock in the afternoon but today I did. There, in an Assembly of God Church, somewhere in USA was a group of Uganda orphans dancing before God and singing His praises with Missionaries, Gary and Marylin Skinner. What a blessing and thank you for your ministry with the African people.
I just saw a rebroadcast of the Color Conference with Pastor Marilyn Skinner and what an incredible woman of God she is–I only heard a portion of what she said but I was so moved by the work she is doing in Africa. God began doing something in my heart, too. Although, I may never get to Africa myself I now know how to direct my prayers in a much better way. Thank you for doing such an incredible work. These children deserve to know how much God loves them, too. They will never be the same because you did what God was calling you to do.
May God rain blesssings into your life.
In Joy.
My son gave me the audio that was done at city church in Melb. I live in another state. For many years I have been focused on Uganda as a place for my prayers. And amazing as it is, I have met three people who came form there. Now now I listen to young heart’s cry not only for the children of Uganda, but for the church & its place in the world. Thank you for the encouragement your vision has brought me.
Pastor John,
thank you so much for sharing this experience online. God used it to confirm in my heart my calling. I cant even explain how gratefull I am. One of my dreams is to go to Uganda to Watoto Childcare ministries. I am asking God to prepare me and make it viable. God bless you abundantly.
Thank you so much for this website. Last week i came home from the 2008 Colour Conference in Sydney, Australia. I heard Marily Skinner for the first time. I know i will never be the same again. I truly see a life living for others as JESUS would have us do. Marilyn is an inspiration and a blessing, and i pray that all who hear her and her husband and see the work they do for the orphans and also the widows now, will follow her lead in the part of the world the LORD leads each one to. GOD BLESS you, and thank you again for letting the world know what is going on.
Hello Marilyn! I had the chance of hearing you speak at the Colour Conference and also met you the following Thursday at the Hills. I can see you have a very big heart. I’m so blessed by your life. it was indeed a privilege to meet you.
I was so touched by what you’ve shared. It has always been in my heart to help, but after listening to you, i realized I wasn’t doing enough, that I could do more.
And since then, I made several steps to help and make a difference in the lives of others across the world.
thank you so much! God bless you!
Am so blessed by the story. Am a member of KPC kampala. The LORD knew us before even Pastor Gary and his family came to Uganda.
One thing I must point out here is that the Lord is not yet done with Pastor Gary. MAY GOD BLESS PASTOR GARY ABUNDANTLY
THANX FOR ALL THE THINGS U DO FOR THE WORLD MAY GOD BLESS U ALWAYS.WE REALLY APPRECIATE AND LOVE YOUR FAMILY.
Iam a Ugandan now living in USA and awitness to all pastor Gary shared with you.I lived and saw the brutality of the idi Amin and Milton Obote governments.
I lost my mother,killed by the Obote soldiers and saw all the bloodshed in those regimes.
iam so gratefull for the skinners and the wonderful work they have done in uganda.they are great examples in Uganda as leaders with intergrity and not only impacted my life but the country.
God bless you as you stand with them.
yours in His Love,
Dickson kaliisa
I thank Gary and Marilyn Skinner for the watoto conference held at KPC in 2006 and the resent one in 2008. Through their ministry I have been able to start a school and to help venerable children in my community to access education.
Pastor Peter Mutabazi
Bwaise Pentecostal Church
Kampala Uganda
East Africa
Dear Leaders,
Greetings in jesus name,i’m so very happy to see your program’s of conference,i’m so very interrested with your conference,i’m pastor of calavry mountain church here in Burundi,please can you tell me more information about your conference?and tell me more about your condition of participation?because by God’s grace i will coming and participated in your conference.And we invite your ministries here in our country Burundi,you are so welcome in jesus name.
Many blessings
Calvary Mountain Church/Burundi and D.R.Congo
Pastor Augustin H.Omana
25779560049
BURUNDI
Dear Pastor Gary and Mariyn Skinner ,how are you and how is your dear life many thanks for the good work you are doing for the people of God.
Am Henry Mutuza working with Mbarara University from a born again christan family my dady is called Mr Everist Mutabazi,my pray with pastor Willy Tumwine at Holy Spirit fire church.
At our family we have a land which we are selling it is a very big land where one can buld a school church or other things is is in a village called Kitoma village in Isingiro District ,the reason we are selling this land we have three you brother and two sister who are joining the university this year as a family we dont have money to pay fro them i kindly request you to buy our land you can communicate through pastor Pr Peter Mutabazi.
I hope to hear from you soon .
Henry Mutuza
Mbarara University Library Department
Po Box 1410 Mbarara.
Tel. 256774166885
Email:mutuzahenry@yahoo.com
Gary & Marilyn are the most awesome servants of God. We have been on 2 mission trips to Uganda, have recently returned in Jan 2010 leading a team of 24 people to build a house and a classroom in Labora Village, Gulu. God opened so many doors for us to be able to bless individuas and communities in Gulu. Watoto is all about excellence, as we serve an excellent God. God Bless, Justine Collins