Uganda (MNN) — In many Ugandan homes, family life is strained by conflict, poverty, and crisis. For women facing unplanned pregnancies or unsafe relationships, fear can shape every decision.
A growing church-based effort is stepping into those critical moments with both practical help and Gospel hope.
Journey of a Life Giver Training in Uganda. (Photo courtesy of LIFE International)
LIFE International partners with a church network in Uganda, conducting training events titled Journey of a Life Giver and Redemptive Conversations. These trainings equip Christian leaders to respond to family crises in life-giving ways.
April Schmidt, LIFE International’s Life-Giving Ministries Manager, says the goal is to have a spiritual and cultural impact as leaders ultimately point people to God the Father’s heart for life.
“We’re seeing just an expansion and a change of heart in the participants,” says Schmidt. “These are leaders in this denomination. They already love the Lord. They’re already committed to the sanctity of human life. But what this does for them in this training is it’s helping them to take what they know and to put that faith into action.”
That action often begins when people approach Christian leaders during moments of desperation.
Journey of a Life Giver Training in Uganda. (Photo courtesy of LIFE International)
“They are usually coming to you because they have what they perceive as their felt need: ‘I have the need for an abortion. I have to have this abortion. I need money. I need a place to live. I need a job,'” Schmidt says.
“However, the greatest need is the real need. The real need is Jesus.”
One simple training tool has opened powerful conversations. Schmidt explains, “One of the Uganda trainings was we give them this little fetal model of [a] 12-week gestational age baby. They hold it in their hand and they look at it, and they have this realization of how small and how precious life is.”
Schmidt says one Christian leader in family ministry and counseling now carries the fetal model with her everywhere.
“She said, ‘Since I have done this training with you, I am finding more and more that people are coming to me with their crisis pregnancies, with their stories of loss and suffering…. I can pull that little baby out and I can put it in their hand, and I can talk to them about the value of life.'”
Journey of a Life Giver Training in Uganda. (Photo courtesy of LIFE International)
As Ugandan churches engage family crises with biblical truth and grace, prayer support is essential.
Please pray for protection, wisdom, and transformed hearts as pro-life ministry continues in Uganda and beyond.
Learn more about LIFE International at their website.
Header photo: Maternity home in Uganda. (Photo courtesy of LIFE International)
