Monica and Mary’s Class Takes on the Local Church’s Heresy

When almost 95% of local pastors are uneducated, theology can get all twisted up with locally held customs and beliefs. That’s what had happened in the Episcopal Church in a rural corner of a refugee camp in western Uganda.

As Monica and Mary sat listening to their teacher explain the theology of the trinity, they were more and more convinced their church pastor was one of the 95% who didn’t know the truth. It was common on a Sunday morning to sing and dance worshipping God, a snake, a tiger, and perhaps this week, an elephant too. The further and further they got through their two-year long, trauma-informed seminary degree, the more confident and defiant they became towards the heresy spoken every Sunday. It finally reached a breaking point one bright Sunday morning. Naturally, they did what most any passionate, confident, educated woman would do and challenged the norm.

They confronted their pastor and church leadership creating so much division within their community that word reached the denomination’s headquarters 256 miles away. A Bishop was sent. A two-day meeting was held to determine who was right. Monica and Mary were called to defend their beliefs and education. Can you imagine? Challenging every part of your culture and upbringing? Challenging every male leader in your community?

“That was the day my understanding of the scripture was tested. I shared what I learned from training. The training was a real eye opener.” Monica shared.

It was a tension-filled wait while the Bishop determined his findings. Aligning with Monica and Mary, he issued two requirements for this community. First, all pastors must receive the education Monica and Mary had received. Second, all idols within the community were to be burned.

We continue to hear of the impact of this confrontation. Whole communities have been forever altered by the hearing of the real Gospel story. The courage and commitment of Monica and Mary has altered more than just their own personal lives. They are changing entire communities.

Your partnership ensures classes like this one in a refugee camp in western Uganda are leaving their mark on the communities they are in. They are leveraging their education for the betterment of their churches and peers. Thank you for your partnership in their education.