A team from Watoto Church ministers during a televised Easter service on 12 April, 2020. The group sang “The Old Rugged Cross,” a popular hymn written in 1912 by evangelist and song-leader George Bennard (1873–1958).
For years, Christians around the globe have celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus from the tomb by meeting inside Church buildings.
This year’s event was however modified to take place in homes, behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak. Like Palm Sunday, Christian leaders in the country offered their Easter services online.
‘Nothing can hold us ’
Presiding Apostle of the Born Again Faith Dr Joseph Serwadda said the events of the first Easter can’t be any different from what Uganda is experiencing today.
“Those days, like ours, seemed to the followers of Jesus, like a horror movie,” he started. “Their Master was arrested under the cover of darkness, where He had prayed with his sweat turning into blood drops.”
The site in Jerusalem where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and rose again was also closed on Easter Sunday, for the first time in more than a century.
“He was tried through a process of kangaroo courts, where each “Judge” kept tossing Him from their jurisdiction to the other, for fear of taking responsibility, should He die! And dying Jesus did, even though Pilate had washed his hands. The failure, isolation, desolation and despair over that weekend must have been horrific! Much like our last fortnight,” Dr Serwadda said.
Uganda has 53 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Several patients were discharged on 10-11 April 2020 after full recovery. Nevertheless, the countrywide lock-down still stands.
“Whether we are under lock-down or free, the whole world has reason to celebrate. The risen Savior, Jesus the Christ, forever triumphant! He was Risen indeed! And therefore, nothing can hold us, not now, not ever,” Dr Serwadda said.
‘Trust His perfect timing’
At Watoto Church, Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo encouraged believers saying Jesus’ resurrection “gives us assurance that our faith is valid.”
“Jesus’ resurrection assures us that God’s plans are unstoppable. If He gave you a promise, just wait for His perfect timing. It will come to fulfillment,” he said.
The preacher explained that although the pandemic might have forced churches to close their doors, the Easter story of hope and rescue from despair and fear, has reached multitudes of households via digital platforms.
Uganda Christian News reported earlier how swiftly changing circumstances and new guidelines regarding COVID-19 in relation to large gatherings, have prompted churches to turn to livestreaming, garnering thousands of views.
‘Easter: A commitment to love’
Evangelist Steven Sebyala of Christ’s Church Uganda – Kitintale said Easter should be a time to renew our commitment to love, follow and serve Jesus.
“During these trying times, all our hope should be anchored in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The foundation of our faith and prayer lives should also be renewed, strengthened and revolutionized to bring hope, peace and healing to the billions of prisoners of our generation,” he said.
Entrepreneur, author, TV host and Pastor Edwin Musiime urged that the Resurrection is about “authenticated power.”
“It is about a delegated power invading my naturality with His supernaturality that empowers me with the duality of dominion,” he said.
General Overseer Deliverance Church, Uganda Pastor Edward Kiwanuka said Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope that “we too shall live again even if we die.”
“Let this Easter season revive your hope. Both in life and death we remain victorious in our Lord Jesus,” he said.
“Divine Helper’
In his submission on Easter, Prayer Palace Christian Centre Kibuye founder, Bishop Grivas K. Musisi said that God divinely gave His son “as a sacrifice for our iniquities.”
“He was, He is and forever becomes the first Divine helper of Grace unto us from the Almighty God,” the preacher noted.
Aside leading Christians in prayer, other Ministry organisations donated relief items to families affected by the ongoing lock-down.
Moroto district authorities received 5000 kilograms of maize flour for distribution to vulnerable families, thanks to Miracle Center Cathedral led by Pastor Robert Kayanja.
The food relief was delivered on Saturday ahead of Easter by Pastor Kayanja’s company Mechanized Agro Uganda Limited which works with artisan miners in Moroto district.
According to a local news daily, the relief food was received by Peter Ken Lochop, the Moroto Resident District Commissioner and LC V chairperson, Andrew Napajja.
“We thank the pastor for standing with the people at this difficult time and for supporting our population spiritually. I encourage more partners to give this kind of support to our vulnerable groups and those worst hit by COVID 19 measures,” Mr Lochap said after receiving the relief food.
With support from Daystar Television Network, the Irene Gleeson Founder (IGF) led by its director Mr John Paul Kiffasi freely distributed 1000 bibles, transistor radios, soap and food to villages at the farthest East of Kitgum on Saturday.
