Equipping students to do God’s work
Kisinga Divinity College of South Rwenzori Diocese was established in 1974 with the purpose of responding to the great need of the community in Kasese and the world at large. It does this by equipping God’s people with the knowledge and skills of church leadership and management through training. The training offered is geared toward providing knowledge to students, who are charged and commissioned to fulfill the great commission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of St. Matthew 28:19-20:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
In its early years, South Rwenzori Diocese had only ten qualified clergy to do God’s work; this caused the diocese to organize a special one-year training course at Kisinga Archdeaconry to have more clergy trained to serve in the diocese. This led to the creation of Kisinga Divinity College, the only Bible college in South Rwenzori Diocese. Today, it offers courses for lay readers. The clergy are sent and travel long distances for further advanced training at Uganda Christian University (Bishop Tucker school of Theology and Divinity) in Mukono which is about 460 km away.
Vision
To have a transformed community with a positive religious attitude, social, economic, cultural values and good motivated morals for quality life.
Mission
To train church pastors holistically so that they are fully equipped to fulfill the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20.
Specific aims and objectives
- The general aim of the college is to have qualified trained staff in our entire present and future emerging church congregation. This will promote spiritual, social, cultural and economic activities for the people living in South Rwenzori Diocese.
- To improve on preaching the Gospel of Christ Jesus, including through hymns and many other Christian activities.
- To make use of the completed college structures for the betterment of the services of the Lord.
- To help and sustain quality services and teaching of the Bible.
- To create awareness through evangelism and mission on all matters concerning salvation, justice, peace and human rights; through preaching, seminars, workshops, conferences, meetings and any other lawful means through church structure, which is now a big challenge to our community in Kasese.
Core values
- Integrity
- Transparency
- Service
- Love and care
The diocese has for a long time had a very low level of education compared to other dioceses that had chances of improving their education. This was due to various civil and tribal conflicts and instabilities caused by the Rwenzururu movement, the National Army for Liberation of Uganda, and the Allied Democratic Forces, a low level of literacy, and diseases, especially AIDS. Today, COVID-19 has had far-reaching effects worldwide and affected Kisinga Divinity College. There is a general lack of awareness, financial support and development in the area.
Local contribution
The diocese has offered ten acres of land on which the divinity college is built, it has constructed the principal’s house and one other residence where female student lay readers are accommodated, and has built the main building which has six classrooms and a hall serving as the college library. The college still has enough space for future infrastructural development.
Analytical focal point
Kisinga Divinity College, as earlier stated, was an idea of the Diocesan Council and Synod with the Rt. Rev. Zebedee K. Masereka as its first bishop. The initial objective for establishing this Bible college was to set up a multipurpose facility and in-service training centre for pastors and by ministries. As the diocese has tried to make the college serve more purposes than training the lay readers, it has provided services for other social activities such as weddings, trainings of adult laity and church executive committees, large conferences, workshops, etc. The college will attract more support when good facilities are put in place.
The programmes in this institution are intended to build the capacity of the people in the church and community in spiritual, socioeconomic and physical matters. However, as the diocese prioritizes mission and evangelism, it is the divinity college which will make this vision reveal the hidden treasure of Jesus Christ to the people.
Justification
The Anglican Church in South Rwenzori Diocese grows every year, and some staff retire. This requires attention from the Bible college. The Bakonzo people have a high interest in education but did not have the chance to put up structures to support the training of church pastors. Therefore, the divinity college was created to train all church workers in various fields. The college has had an impact on spreading the Gospel in Kasese, boosting development, and creating awareness among the population of Kasese.
Plans
Infrastructural development
- To construct a multipurpose hall
- Storage buildings for lecture rooms
- Computer laboratory
- Kitchen with dining hall
- Students’ dormitory
- Staff quarters
- Fencing the campus
- Purchase of a vehicle
Academics
- Have ecclesiastical and theology courses at diploma and degree levels
- Equip the library with enough theology textbooks
- Need of computers and office laptops
- Short courses – skill-based development like driving, tailoring, carpentry, and bricklaying
- Develop other programs for a diversity of advanced education
Conclusion
As some staff age out and retire and some die, there will always be a need for replacement. Many churches are set up in various villages with large populations who need the church’s services, and these can only be realized through the services rendered at Kisinga Divinity College. Both the diocese and college welcome men and women of God to pray and support this very important institution. Thank you.