On Friday, multitudes flocked Watoto Church in Kampala to witness the transition in leadership from the ministry’s founders, Gary and Marilyn Skinner to the Associate Team Leaders, Julius and Vernita Rwotlonyo.
Various radio and television stations were on ground to capture the event deemed historical.
Fred Kawuma, an Elder at Watoto Church and the Head of Leadership Transition Management Committee told media reporters he is very excited about God’s faithfulness to Watoto and where He is taking them in the future.
“As a ministry, we have been and are undergoing transition in leadership, where our founders have been preparing the Associate Team Leaders for this historic change. This process started more than five years ago,” Mr Fred Kawuma said. “We are confident about the stability and sustainability of the ministry amidst leadership transition.”
Julius and Vernita Rwotlonyo took over as the new Team Leaders of Watoto Church and Watoto Child Care Ministries which is known for brings hope and healing to vulnerable women and children in Uganda and South Sudan.
Gary and Marilyn Skinner have been the Team Leaders since inception in 1984.
Announcing their retirement from full-time ministry, Gary and Marilyn Skinner said: “Over the past ten years, with the blessing and endorsement of the Watoto Church leadership, we have, very intentionally, been preparing and mentoring our successors. And, so it is with joy and delight that we announce that Julius and Vernita, who have served as Associate Team Leaders for Watoto for the last five years, will succeed us.”
“We celebrate this new season of what God is doing and ask you to extend to Julius and to Vernita, the same love and support you have always accorded to us,” they said.
Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo and his wife, said they are very grateful for the mentorship they have received from Pastor Gary and Marilyn and “are committed to building on their legacy.”
“Since 1984, our founders have walked in obedience to the call of God, faithfully pastoring Watoto Church as well as reaching the most vulnerable children, women and communities. We have been blessed by their visionary and exemplary leadership for almost four decades. Vernita and I are humbled to be stepping into this role to continue with the mandate of our vision to see healing come to the cities and the nations,” Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo said.
Soon after the Leadership Transition Service, a number of Church leaders took to social media congratulating Pastor Gary and Marilyn’s successors.
“Congratulations Pastors Julius and Vernita for the new mantle and assignment to lead the great Watoto family. And thank you Pastor Gary and Marilyn Skinner for a job well done, indeed you have shown this nation what it means to lead well and to pass on the baton to the next generation. We love you and respect you,” lead pastor at Gaba Community Church Peter Kasirivu said.
