NLBC – Future Vision

Favor of God Ministries and our New Life Bible College is centered around the Great Commission. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20). We are passionate about the lost meeting Jesus.

One of our goals is that the New Life Bible College would be training church and community leaders who will spread the gospel and make disciples throughout Uganda. But ultimately, we don’t want it to stop there. As we teach about the Great Commission, our students are very excited to be the vessels that go into the ends of the earth.

Jesus’ second coming won’t become a reality until every tribe and tongue have had the opportunity to hear the gospel. Favor of God and the New Life Bible College are encouraging and training Ugandans to be a part of that exciting present and future. Many countries in the yet unreached 10/40 window are African countries. Ugandan Christians are very well-equipped and suited for outreach to their African neighbors. The New Life Bible College is encouraging Ugandan leaders to seek God to see if they are called to Uganda, neighboring African countries, or beyond. We are confident that God wants to use the people of Uganda for his kingdom in new and surprising ways.

New Life Bible College – What Is It?

Favor of God’s New Life Bible College has the vision and desire to train Ugandans to minister to and lead their own people and also to train Ugandans who are called to go into unreached areas. It is the only Bible and Christian Leadership College in northern Uganda. Currently, in order for northern Ugandan students to get an equal education, they have to travel six hours by bus to colleges in the South.

NLBC offers a one-year certificate and a two-year diploma school for pastors, church leaders, and laymen. It focuses on the following Biblical training: doctrine, homiletics, worship, family living, evangelism, pastoral care, church growth, prayer, Christian leadership, practical application of the Word, and vocational skills for bi-vocational ministry. The main New Life Bible College is located in Gulu with two other satellite campuses throughout northern Uganda.

New Life Bible College: Why Educate?

The recent violence and war in northern Uganda has had a devastating effect on education in that region. Beginning in 1986, the LRA brutalized villages for twenty-two years. Many children who reached school age and hoped to begin their education were instead forced into the protection of IDP camps. Camp conditions were horrible and provided no opportunity for education. The ravages of the war forced many other children to abandon their education and when the war was finally over, a whole generation of young adults lacked very basic academic skills. These statistics illustrate the scale of the problem: in 1998, Gulu district enrolled 93,679 pupils in Universal Primary Education, but only 38,762 students remained in school.

Poverty has also had a devastating effect on education. Few people have a primary education and still fewer have advanced to secondary levels. Out of the 91.6% of the people who live in rural areas, only 29.6% of the female population is literate, and almost 40% of the total population has never been to school.

This lack of education has immensely affected the churches in the north. Most leaders and pastors have had no formal academic or spiritual training. Many gave their lives to Jesus and soon were leading churches but had very little knowledge of the Bible. The New Life Bible College has provided many of these pastors with the educational and spiritual training they lacked. Read these testimonies from New Life Bible College students:

“I was not really saved until I joined the college. Finally my eyes could really see the truth. My heart hurts to see that a lot of leaders are not leading but destroying lives of God’s children.”

“I thought I was saved until the pastoral theology was taught about character and integrity. I had my pastor books since 2002 that I did not return, but I was able to return all the books and even paid debts that I’ve never been able to pay and asked for forgiveness. Before I never gave my time to my wife or my children. I could not enjoy my home. But now, after just the first training, my family enjoys my fatherhood. I am excited to complete all of the courses.”

Armstrong Oryen: Outstanding Leader and Graduate of New Life Bible College

God rescues the weak from the fields of travail and prepares them to rescue, lead, and cultivate his kingdom. Armstrong Oryen grew up in such a field, an area called Pabo, during Uganda’s twenty-two year war led by the LRA’s Joseph Kony. His family was forced into an internally displaced persons camp (IDP) where they lived under harsh and desperate conditions. During those years, he survived on very little food and water, witnessed horrific atrocities against his family and friends, and watched the fiber of his entire culture disintegrate.

In the midst of this tragedy, God rescued Armstrong and he has triumphed in God’s grace. Armstrong accepted Jesus into his life, and as a young adult became a believer. Not only did he become a believer, but he became a voice for Christ as he started and pastored a small church in his community. When Favor of God Ministries first met Armstrong, Favor’s staff recognized his love for Christ, his exceptional leadership abilities, and his passion to advance the kingdom. Armstrong envisioned having a powerful ministry where he could grow and shepherd his flock and transform entire communities. Because he lacked Biblical training, discipleship, and a Bible, Armstrong struggled to fulfill his God-given purpose.

This is a picture of a New Life Bible College class in session.

A beautiful relationship formed when Armstrong attended one of Favor of God’s first Portable Bile Schools (PBS) in Pabo’s IDP Camp in 2005. He received general education as well as study in leadership development. He also received field training where he learned to identify and develop leaders within the Pabo IDP camp. He graduated from the PBS stronger and more knowledgeable in his Christian faith. It was a natural progression for Armstrong to become a candidate for the New Life Bible College.

Armstrong’s story continues in triumph. He graduated as an exemplary student from the New Life Bible College. He now helps pastor and oversee ten healthy and steadily growing churches in Pabo. In addition, Pastor Armstrong supports and encourages over 100 other pastors and churches in the National Fellowship of Born-Again Churches (NFBAC). He also organizes pastor training seminars and workshops.

Rescued from the field of the enemy, Armstrong, with the help of God and the visionaries of Favor of God’s New Life Bible College, is now a harvester of God’s kingdom.

Bible College Training Extends to IDP Camps

New Life Bible College trains Africans to lead and minister to their own people. This is a picture of a Favor of God Portable Bible School, where people in the Internally Displaced People camps and remote villages can learn about the Bible, leadership, and Christian living for three months. Many of the NLBC students teach the Portable Bible Schools as part of their practicum.

New Life Bible College Graduation

Favor of God graduated 26 certificate level students and 10 diploma level students on Saturday, November 7th.  A marching band led the processional of students and faculty down the road toward the Favor of God Christian Primary School campus where the ceremony was being held. After the singing of the Ugandan National anthem, the president of the New Life Bible College, Martin Onen, opened the ceremony. The NLBC students then proudly received their diplomas and certificates. The children from the House of Hope ended the celebration with a special song and dance.  It was a joyous day for everyone.

Favor of God started the New Life Bible College in December of 2005. It is the 1st and only interdenominational Bible school in northern Uganda. The vision of the college is to mobilize and equip church and community leaders with skills in church planting, intensive discipleship training, and community leadership with the goal of fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19 II Tim 2:2).
Here are a couple of pictures from the day…