Recognition Sunday

We had a very special service to recognize what the Lord is doing through Ronald, David and Dick. They have been serving the church for nine years each. They were the core of my original discipleship group called servants in training. Recently we had a private ceremony at a retreat in the Forest. I laid my hands on them and prayed for each.
Now we wanted to recognize them with the church.

In this church the type of leadership that we have is servant like team leadership.
This ceremony was what many would call an ordination. We are not trying to elevate the ministers into a Big Corner office situation but recognize what the Lord is doing through them.
I had trouble holding back the tears as I told stories of great faith about my friends. I have seen each of them physically risk their lives for the sake of the gospel. It was fun to share about what the Lord has done through each of them. David's wife said she cried through the entire service. His parents and some friends came to witness this occasion.
His father said, "I am leaving a different person than when I came. Thank you."


We shared a responsive reading. It was a covenant between the men, the church and the Lord.

Before the service I talked with the men about what we were planning to do and they asked if they could kneel as I lay my hands on them and pray. They wanted to kneel before the throne of God and before the congregation that they are serving.
These men have proven themselves.
Paul wrote to Timothy "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands."
These three men have shown themselves to be reliable men able to teach.
We began with Kizito Ronald.


Dick knelt on the ground as we prayed during the laying on of hands.


David Kabiito knelt as well.


After the prayer I wrapped a towel around my waist and washed their feet. We talked about the kind of leadership that Jesus wants in His kingdom.




Isaac said, "It's cool that Dad is washing their feet!"
I think he wanted to play in the water too.


They were given a ceritficate of license for Ministry.






To demonstrate the kind of leadship that we want to have.. I poured water for the three to wash their hands and they did it for me. Then they did what is counter cultural, they helped pour the water for each person in the church to wash. Usually that job is left to a young girl.
It was quite a statement!


This is a cultural role reversal as David washes his mother's hands. She told him that she had never seen a foot washing or anything like this in all of her years of going to church. She is so proud of her son!


We had a party and it was so great to watch the men who were being honored. Instead of sitting down and getting the first and biggest helpings of everything. They served everyone else first! I had cooked 13 lbs of beef. (Hickory smoke, Terriyaki, and fajita style meat strips) We had samosas, hot dogs and two cakes.
As Ronald David and Dick served the sodas... we ran out. They did not get any and they did not complain. Cheryl hurried to the store and bought another case. I was so impressed with how they served everyone first!

The three men introduced the ones that they are discipling and mentoring. It was a proud moment for me. They went on to acknowledge all of the ministries that the members are doing.
They prayed for all of the ministries. The Lord is doing great work in the lives of these families. May He be praised!



"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And these things that you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach other." II Timothy 2:1-2 NIV