A New Season Begins

Dear Friends and Family,

A new season is beginning at Calvary Chapel Kampala as we say goodbye to the Kelly family.

Pastor Brian and his wife Lynne moved to Uganda 9 years ago to help church plant in Kampala.  For about 8 of those years Brian Kelly has served as senior pastor and the church has grown and matured spiritually under his care.

In Uganda it is not a common practice for a senior pastor to step down from ministry.  With the prosperity doctrine so strong here it is a pastor’s goal for his church to grow and support him which keeps pastors from moving on or raising up  others to replace them.

The elders were the first to hear of Pastor Brian’s plans.  We all met for dinner and were able to hear first hand how the Lord was calling the Kelly family to a new ministry.

Pastor Brian planned a message specifically for the congregation as he announced to them his leaving.  I want to share a summary with you also.

He began by sharing about living by faith and that it means  obeying and following Christ no matter the cost.
He then gave 3 reasons for his leaving to help people understand better.

1.Motivation—His motives for leaving are positive, it is because of the healthy state of the church and leadership he is able to move on.

2.Completion—He has competed the mission God had for him here . He planted the church, laid the spiritual foundation and raised up faithful leaders.

1 Corinthians 3:10–11 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

3.Direction—God has clearly showed them it is time to leave and where they are to be going next.

The most amazing thing happened on the day of the Kelly farewell service.  As we were saying goodbye to them, and emotions were high, this was the view from the church window:

Pastor Brian will be serving as a missions pastor at Maranatha Chapel in San Diego.  He believes in the future God is calling him to church plant again, this time in Asia.

Pastor Josh and Pastor Brian (Kanyike) will take over pastor Brian Kelly’s responsibilities.  Pastor Josh will take the role of senior pastor and Brian will take over the teaching at the city center church; 3 services on Sunday and Wednesday night.

Along with a church send off for the entire family, the women had a going away party for Lynne.  Her longtime mentor had come to visit and shared with the women about faith.  She also shared with us about Lynne’s testimony of how she came to be married to Brian and a missionary in Uganda. As we fellowishipped and comforted one another, Lynne said her final goodbyes to each lady.

We are so thankful to Pastor Brian and Lynne for the love and ministry they have poured out upon the people of Uganda and our lives personally.  May the Lord continue to use and bless them as mightily as He has here.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for the ministry here, especially as we enter to this new season.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Please pray for this new season at Calvary Chapel Kampala
• Pray for the pastors as they take on new and challenging roles.
• Pray for the congregation as they accept the changes.
• Pray for the existing ministries to continue to grow and be fruitful.
• Pray for the Lord’s anointing over all of Brian’s pastoral ministries and teaching at the church.
• Pray for the Kanyike’s support to stabilize, we are only at about 45%.
• Pray for peace in Uganda

In Him,
Brian, Jill and Luke Mukisa