Faces of Faith – Pastor Joseph

Four times a year, up to 30 pastors and future pastors from Obadiah Lutheran Synod in Uganda gather for two weeks of training and encouragement. We called our study of the gospel of John “We have a better story.”

And that we do. We have a better story than those lying about Jesus, those leading people away from God. We have a better story: Jesus is God’s eternal Son. He died for all. He lives and reigns. Soon he will reappear. By believing in him we have life in his name.

Pastor Joseph was sharing his own story with us all in the tent during one of our trainings. He used to submit to Allah. He used to wear a tight-fitting cap—sometimes called a kufi—to show his submission. Then he took the cap off and started trusting Jesus. It fascinated the brothers in the tent. What happened next? “Oh, I got threats,” Pastor Joseph grinned. And yet, Pastor Joseph still follows Jesus, and he leads others to follow Jesus too—with a smile. Nobody in the tent made everyone laugh more than he did.

May Pastor Joseph’s Spirit-given smile make you glad too. Share your joy. We have a better story! The best story.

From Dan Witte, Africa missionary