"Empowering Ugandans became our partners in keeping the community from starving,” Pastor Simon Oloyojok.

A Partnership Born of Adversity

by guest blogger David Oaks

In Gulu, Jeff and Yvonne’s Ugandan home base for ministry, God blessed them with a powerful friendship that has sparked hope and community revival. Pastor Simon Oloyojok of Gulu Bible Community Church and his collaboration with Empowering Ugandans tell the story of the far-reaching impact of generosity and skill-based empowerment.

Their deep connection with Pastor Simon began in 2019 under unexpected circumstances. The morning after they awoke to a home invasion, Pastor Simon became a strong presence for them. He was full of kindness at a time Yvonne and Jeff needed it. This would become the foundation for years of transformative collaboration.

“They were guests in our country. We didn’t want their experience to be bad, so we supported them,” Pastor Simon recalls, his words embodying genuine hospitality that would define our growing relationship.

Little did they know that this initial gesture of kindness would set the stage for a partnership that would touch countless lives in the coming years.

The real test of their collaboration came during the COVID-19 lockdown, which Pastor Simon describes as a time of extreme hardship. "Ugandans couldn’t even go to the market. It was a period of great difficulty and suffering," he recalls, his voice weighed down by the memory of those tough days.

With a community on the brink of starvation, Gulu Bible Community Church decided to take action. They began buying and distributing food, but the need quickly overwhelmed their resources. At this critical moment, Empowering Ugandans stepped in. Together they became a lifeline for the community.

“Empowering Ugandans became our partners in keeping the community from starving,” Pastor Simon explains. “For nearly the entire lockdown—two years—they helped us survive. I became their go-to person.”

Note: During the pandemic, all of the people who give to Empowering Ugandans continued to send support. Jeff and Yvonne continued to send all of the funds to be used in Uganda. Other people who read our blog also gave. This included a very generous donation from POWER Ministry and a life saving donation from Brad and Pam B.

The impact of this support was nothing short of life-saving. In a time when resources were scarce and food prices soared beyond reach, Empowering Ugandans’ donors made the difference between life and death for many. “God worked through Papa Jeff and Mama Yvonne,” Pastor Simon says, his voice filled with gratitude.

The partnership between Pastor Simon and Empowering Ugandans extends far beyond crisis response. Even before the lockdown, they were making significant strides in the community through practical initiatives like sewing classes.

“These classes are a powerful outreach to the community,” Pastor Simon enthuses. He shares how students from all over the city come to participate, including his sister, who completed the 10-week course.

What’s particularly exciting is how these classes have become a key tool for church planting. “Through Empowering Ugandans, we’re now able to offer sewing classes in the communities where we want to plant churches,” Pastor Simon explains. “It’s an incredibly effective way to pioneer new congregations.” By providing practical skills and creating economic opportunities, they are transforming individual lives and reshaping entire communities.

As Pastor Simon reflects on the journey, his gratitude to the donors of Empowering Ugandans is clear. “Words cannot fully express our thanks to the donors of Empowering Ugandans for saving our lives during the lockdown,” he says. “We pray special prayers for them, that God will bless them and expand their territory.”

The story of Pastor Simon and Empowering Ugandans showcases the profound impact of compassion, partnership, and faith-driven action. What began as a single act of kindness has blossomed into a collaboration that is changing lives and planting churches—a powerful reminder of how one moment of generosity can grow into a movement that touches countless lives.