What a joy it was to gather with nearly 100 participants from more than five countries for this year’s Word Work Conference. Over three rich days of teaching, discussion, fellowship, and practical training, pastors, church leaders, ministry workers, and Bible teachers came together with one shared desire: to grow in faithfully handling and teaching God’s Word.

From the opening session to the final farewell, the conference was marked by a deep engagement with Scripture and a genuine encouragement among brothers and sisters serving Christ in different contexts across East Africa and beyond.

Gathering Around God’s Word

Each day began with devotions that helped set our hearts on God’s Word. On Day 2, Samuel Opolot led us through Deuteronomy 18, reminding us of God’s promised Prophet and the importance of listening to His Word. On our final day, Boaz, one of our staff members and leader of the Equip the Church ministry, led devotions from Deuteronomy 32, encouraging us to remain faithful to the God who has faithfully revealed Himself to His people.

Our times of singing were led by brothers such as Bosco from Ssenge Baptist Church, helping create a joyful atmosphere of worship as we gathered together around Scripture.

Exploring the Book of Leviticus

A major focus of the conference was the book of Leviticus, taught by Gwilym. Many participants arrived with questions about this often-overlooked book, but over the course of the conference they discovered its richness and relevance for Christians today.

The teaching sessions took us through major themes such as holiness, sacrifice, clean and unclean laws, the Day of Atonement, life and death, and God’s desire to dwell among His people. As participants traced these themes through Scripture, they were continually pointed to Jesus Christ and His saving work.

Particularly encouraging was seeing participants grow in their understanding of how the Old Testament points forward to Christ. Discussions around the Day of Atonement, the sacrificial system, and God’s provision for His people helped deepen appreciation for the gospel and strengthened confidence in teaching the whole Bible faithfully.

On the final day, the conference concluded with the closing sessions in Leviticus, challenging participants to take what they had learned and faithfully teach these truths to others in their churches, ministries, and communities.

Learning to Teach the Bible Faithfully

One of the distinctive features of the Word Work Conference is its emphasis on practical Bible handling. Participants did not simply listen to teaching; they also had opportunities to practise teaching Scripture themselves.

Throughout the conference, participants met in workshop groups focused on the book of Deuteronomy. These sessions provided opportunities for discussion, teaching practice, feedback, and mutual encouragement. Brothers and sisters from different churches and countries worked side by side, helping one another understand and communicate God’s Word more clearly.

One of the highlights of the conference came on the final day during the last Deuteronomy preaching groups. Participants worked through assigned passages by identifying the big idea of the text, breaking down its structure, and considering how best to communicate its message faithfully. They then received feedback from fellow group members and Word Work leaders.

The conference included five men’s groups and one ladies’ group, all committed to growing in their ability to handle God’s Word faithfully and clearly. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity to put learning into practice and receive encouragement from others pursuing the same goal.

Thoughtful Engagement with Scripture

Following the teaching sessions and preaching workshops, participants gathered for an extended question-and-answer session. Questions ranged across topics raised in the devotions, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus, allowing participants to think more deeply about what they had learned throughout the conference.

The discussion demonstrated a strong desire among attendees not only to understand the Bible better but also to teach it accurately in their local contexts. It was encouraging to witness such thoughtful engagement with Scripture and a shared commitment to faithful ministry.

Thankful for Those Who Served

As the conference came to a close, special gifts were presented to the Word Work group leaders, those who led devotions, and Gwilym for their faithful service throughout the week.

Behind every teaching session, discussion group, meal, and logistical detail were many individuals serving both publicly and behind the scenes. We thank God for everyone who taught, led discussions, organized sessions, managed logistics, and contributed to making the conference possible.

Their service helped create an environment where participants could focus on learning, fellowship, and growth in God’s Word.

Looking Forward

As participants returned home to their churches and ministries, our prayer is that the lessons learned during the conference will continue to bear fruit for many years to come.

We thank God for every participant who came, learned, served, asked questions, encouraged others, and committed themselves afresh to faithfully teaching God’s Word. The impact of the conference extends far beyond the few days we spent together. As pastors and ministry leaders return to their congregations, they carry with them renewed confidence in Scripture, deeper understanding of God’s Word, and strengthened relationships with fellow gospel workers.

Please join us in praying that God would use what was learned at this year’s Word Work Conference to strengthen churches, equip leaders, and advance faithful Bible teaching across Uganda, East Africa, and beyond.