It is important for youths to prepare for the future. The future is that time a head. It may be near or distant.  The future is made of expectations. You secure the future by having expectations (goals) that you will look forward to attain.

But you must have a basis for those expectations. What gives you a solid ground for believing that what you expect will be realized? God’s promises

“For I know the plans I have for you, declare the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.  (Jer 29:11)

When you examine the above scripture carefully, you will realize that the only sure way that gives you a solid stand about the future or expectations is the word of God. This is because He says He knows the plans, i.e. the devices or strategies that He will pass you through in order to enable you prosper i.e.  Flourish, thrive or do well.

This is the guarantee for your success. This simply means that any unforeseen obstacle or complication that is a head of you, God already knows how He is going to maneuver you through it in order for you to succeed in spite of those factors that could have caused your failure. Right from the word “go!” in Gen 1:28, God made it clear that He wants man to show profit for his life i.e. be fruitful by making the world better than he found it. Two things are therefore required for you to secure the future:

1. You Must Have Expectations

What are you looking forward to? You must have a sense of direction. You must have a mission or goal in life. What do you want to be or do? What opportunities do you want to grab when they come your way? You must have something you want to live for or as someone said, something to die for if need be. One’s background can have an influence as far as this is concerned. When a child has been raised in an environment where people have nothing to look forward to due to ignorance, such a child will find it hard to have direction in life. If your background has not helped you to have expectations in life, then you have to take advantage of your relationship with God. There are many people who don’t have expectations in life. They don’t know what they want to do or be. They have no mission.  How can we find out what God has for us in life? The answer is found in Ps 37:4 and this is what it says: “Delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart”. To delight is to take pleasure in something. When you take pleasure in God by seeking and desiring to be close to Him, He begins to put in your own heart what you will desire to do and be. Jesus says in Matt 6:21 that “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”.

2. Know The Means That Will Enable You Realize Those Expectations

It is only faith that will show you the means by which you will realize your expectations. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Heb 11:1).

Corrie ten Boom a woman who managed to survive the German Nazi concentration camp said that “faith is like a radar that sees through the fog. The reality of things at a distant that human eye cannot see”.  I concur with John Masion in his book “The impossible is possible” when he says that: Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible. Where I am now in life I saw it over fifteen years ago. It is faith and not reason that impels men to action. Faith is a sounder guide than reason. Through faith God influences things to your favor.  Faith is bringing God into the picture. And God meets us at the level we expect not the level we hope. Faith will never abandon you; only you can abandon it. Faith gives us the courage to face the present with confidence and the future with expectancy. Faith keeps the man who keeps faith. The primary cause of unhappiness in the world today is lack of faith. Why many young people commit suicide, go into drugs and alcohol is majorly because they have lost faith and expect nothing so they have no future worth living for. John Masion said that “The Only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubt of today”. Let us therefore move forward with strong and active faith. This is because it is only faith that will enable you see the means to your exceptions. And the result is the assurance that all the expectations you have about the   future will be realized.

God bless you

George Oduch

(Senior Pastor VCCM)

(This message was delivered by Pastor

George Oduch at the Youth Conference

held at Victory Church of Christ from

the 17th -20th Jan 2012)

After listening to what Bishop Herman preached during our thanksgiving service last December, we changed our minds about our thanksgiving offerings as a family. Having discussed the matter with my wife, we felt that what we were planning to give God as a thanks giving offering was too little. Though we may not be able to pay God for all the mercies he has shown us as a family in we felt that we had to give God a better thanks giving sacrifice. As a family the Lord greatly blessed us. He protected us and answered our major prayers.

In the church ministries, he provided in miraculous ways for the work. We saw growth and we reached out to more people through Radios and Televisions.  In 2011, we distributed volumes of gospel tracts more than before in the streets, colleges and during important public events.

In the month of October 2011, we celebrated our 10th anniversary. It was a very colorful celebration. As a family based church, we were greatly blessed to see weddings conducted throughout the year. This was really a manifestation of the answers to the many prayers we had prayed for marriage and family as a church. I give glory to God for all that He has done for us as His people.

I would like to greatly appreciate the Pastoral team for all the good work they have done.

To Victory Church members I say this: “I am so grateful to all of you for the love and support you have shown us as your leaders. Many thanks for all that you did to support God’s work. May the good Lord abundantly reward you”.  I am also thankful to a special group of people. And these are our partners both local and those across our borders. To you I have this to say: “your labor for the Lord will be rewarded. Continue to build the kingdom of Jesus Christ through the support you have continually given. In due course, you will reap a full harvest”. Wishing you all a glorious New Year!

God bless you.

George Oduch

(Senior Pastor VCCM

SPECIAL PICTORIAL

1. CRUSADES

Above is Pr. George Oduch in a GREAT NTINDA- KIWATULE CRUSADE that  took place on the 9.01.2011. This crusade was organised by Ap. William G. Bukenya of Springs of Faith Ministries Ntinda.

(L-R ) Sgt Bukenya, Ap. William G. Bukenya the Senior Pastor of Springs of Faith Ministries and  Pr. George Oduch looking at the Youths minister on the Crusade.

Part of the multitude at the Crusade ground

Above Pr. George Oduch Ministers the Gospel in a Miracle Healing Crusade in Mutungo that  was  organised by Pr. Dambisa Sam of Destiny Worship Center Mutungo from the 8th-15th.01.2012. (See News roundup No. 3 for details.)

2. WEDDINGS

Mr and Mrs Oroyi after tying their marriage knot at truth Fountain Church on 7th.05.2011

Pr. Abura Mathius and wife Betty of VCCM KANU- Abim District possing for a photo after exchanging their marriage vows. the Two were joined by Pr. George & Rose Oduch

Second from right is the VCCM Church administrator Mr Oyollo D’Pollar and wife Rosemary Oyollo carrying their marriage certificate after being pronounced Husband and wife by the VCCM Senior Pastor George Oduch on the 17th.12.2011.

3. VCCM 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONON THE 4TH.SEPTEMBER 2011

Right is Pastor George Oduch of VCCM and the Garry’s Family during a worship session on the 10th Anniversary celebration of Victory Church of Christ.

Standing is Prof. Washington and Prof. Lucia Omondi who represented all the VCCM partners from Nairobi Kenya in our 10th anniversary celebrations on the 4th.09.2011

Bishop George Harris of Philadelphia Central Church Monirovia Liberia ministers the word of God in a leadership conference on Spiritual fatherhood and Inheritance that took place from the 10th- 16th January 2011 at VCCM Luzira Kampala

Word in Action Drama Team after performing on stage in our  just concluded Youth Which Way Forward Conference that took place from the 17th-20th. January 2012 at VCCM.

Marriage is a very important institution in the sight of God. And as a matter of fact, God takes great delight in a man and woman coming together to start-up a family and thus He favours them (Proverbs 18:22). Marriage is one institution that God intended originally for selfless giving to one another in love. Apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Ephesus, likens marriage relationship i.e. husband - wife relationship to Christ – Church relationship. He writes in Ephesians 5: 22,25 to wives and husbands respectively saying, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your husbands, as unto the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;” What does this mean to us? That marriage is a place of selfless giving to one another for the good of the other. Look at what Jesus said in Mark 10:45, “For even I, the son of man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom to many.” (NLT)  That is the highest level of  God’s love demonstration to mankind. He came to serve, much as He was born a King he still considered Himself a servant. Now, if marriage is as Apostle Paul defined it, then we marry to serve and give selflessly to our family. For it is through the family that God first extends His love on earth. And He desires that men should emulate and reflect His kingdom’s attributes to fellow men. That is why the attack on the traditional family must be curbed.

It is no strange news today to hear of broken families, couples signing divorce papers, children abandoned by parents and sadly, to hear of same sex marriages. Gradually, these practices have grown to look like “normal behaviours” to the public and people have bit by bit learnt to live by them. But the good news is that the traditional family has not yet fully been destroyed, there is a remnant that God wants to use in these last days to restore and secure the traditional family for His divine purpose. Malachi 4:4-6, “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (KJV)

God through His word desires to restore the traditional family back to Himself. And how is God doing this;-

1. He is Raising up Men and Women With the Word. (Malachi 4:4)

God is sending out men and women who know and understand His statutes written in His Word for the family. He is raising up people who will shoulder the burden of the family, people who will straighten the perversion of marriages in this generation. He is raising up men like Stephen Langa, Hon. David Bahati and Pr. George Oduch and e.t.c, who are concern about the children and the future generations.  He says, “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant,” implying that the restoration is found in his Word.

2.   God is Judging Wickedness in the Family. (Malachi 4:5)

The wrath of God is going to be released upon those practicing wickedness; wickedness such as homosexuality, lesbianism, abortion, prostitution and all kinds of offenses against the family institution. But because of His mercy, this judgment is not going to be a surprise to them. He says,“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:” what is the prophet going to do? The prophet is to declare the message of repentance so that people  who will listen can turn back to God and live a life pleasing to Him. And after the prophet is come and, redeemed are those who obeyed and  the doomed are all who rebel.

3.   God is Restoring Family Relationship (Malachi 4:6)

It is so amazing how God decided that in the last verse of the Old Testament, He should pronounce the message of family unity. In these last days, God want  to turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. So many fathers all over the world whether in Europe, America,  Australia, Asia and even here in our own African continent, fathers have neglected their families to the mothers. And this fact has contributed so much to the ever increasing rate of single parenthood in the world, but it is high time this changed. God is restoring the fathers to take back their full responsibilities of their homes so that order may come back in our homes. The neglect of family by fathers has caused the lost of vision in many families of the world. God is therefore calling upon all fathers to yield to Him  that the hearts of the children and theirs may once again be bound together for God’s purpose to be established in our families – lest God comes and smite the whole earth with a curse.

Now that we have known God’s clear purpose for our family, let us embark on maintaining this divine purpose and seek Him on how to secure the traditional family and the generations thereof. Let us  look at two secrets of how we can secure the traditional family and guarantee harmonious living in our homes.

a) Wives, Submit wholly to your husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22)

This message of submission is not a new subject to most of us more so to the wives, but I want to put my emphasis on this: “as unto the Lord” In other words, wives should look at their husbands not merely as their husbands but in the same way they look at God. Why? In Ephesians 5:23-24, Apostle Paul teaches that the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: … therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. If all wives are to recognize these biblical principles and then take up their roles as they ought to, harmony will reign in our families. Therefore, wives serve your husbands as you would serve God.

I was blessed by a  testimony of a woman whose husband would frequently report back home very late, and his routine persisted for many months. The wife searched within herself to see if there was any thing she could change to save the situation but all in vain. She sought counsel from experts but yet all still amounted to nothing. One day, she shared her heartfelt grievance to a local Pastor after fellowship, and pleaded with the man of God to salvage her out of this trauma. The pastor asked her this question, “How is his communication with you and the family when he’s around? “Good.” She replied. “Do you share any moment with him before he leaves for work?” Yes, during breakfast.” She exclaimed. “Well then, may you please try to ask your husband to advise you on what he thinks you ought to change for the family harmony to be restored?” When this lady got time to talk to her husband, she was surprised to hear her husband air out this complain, “I don’t like the way you shout at the children, may you please change that.” She apologized and her regret was accepted. The problem was solved and this man once again started coming back home in time.

The lesson to draw from this testimony is our need to serve our partner. She sought to serve her husband and family better; thus she broke down to ask her husband for an advice on how she could be a better wife. This is typical of Christ’s love for mankind. He humbled himself to death to save mankind.

b) Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church. (Ephesians 5:24)

Husbands, remember that Christ loved the church selflessly, and for that love He gave Himself of it. So in the same manner, must each husband love his wife and give himself for her. You must defend her; you must feed her; you must cherish her; take care of her needs; and above all love her like you love your own body. (Ephesians 5:28)

In conclusion, God takes great delight in a good marriage and upright family. And through the family He wants to extend His divine attributes to all mankind. Therefore, let us allow ourselves to be an extension of God’s hand that is reaching out to the crying and dying children of this world who are suffering because they are victims of broken families. In Malachi 4:4-6, God says clearly that through His word, He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers. God wants to reconcile members of broken families back to each other. And as Christians, pray for families to exhibit the attributes of God (Romans 14:17). The fear of God must once again reign in the hearts of men so that God may have mercy upon the earth. The longer we persist in wickedness and perversion the most likely it is for doom to catch up with us.

God Bless You.

David Lakuch

(Youth Secretary)

I would like to encourage my fellow youths and parents through this message to do the right thing to help keep our families secure.

Many families have fallen apart due to a number of things I am going to share with you. And this is my own true story. I come from a polygamous setting of six mothers. When I was four years old I saw my father and mother divorce in the open, leaving us with no option but to do what step mothers would tell us to do. At the  age of 13 years I felt like my life was going nowhere and for three times I attempted suicide. I had no future to look forward to. In the contest of witchcraft fights between our step mothers we were like goal keepers. Every witchcraft missile released always ended up hurting us.

At the age of 17 I gave my life to Christ. In spite of the fact that I was saved, I was not certain whether I and my family had a secure future. However before getting saved, I tried to look for meaning everywhere. I always wanted to grab every golden opportunity that would come my way but all was always a disappointment. I tried finding meaning in bars and hooking up with wrong groups of youths but still all these did not give me meaning for my life.  I wondered why I had no job inspite of the fact that I was always developmental oriented and had qualities that made some parents to wish I were their son. Why did I suffer all these tragedies? The answer is simple. The foundation on which my life and that of my family was standing was not a secure foundation. It was a foundation that does not support progress, success, employment and in brief it was a foundation full of disappointments and frustrations. And now this brings me to this question, what must you do as a youth, mother, father or guardian in a family to have your family secure?

1. Rebuild Your Family Foundation

When I got saved I began to look for a way out of this kind of bondage which was for me to understand. I began to fight for something better. I began to rebuild my foundation no longer basing on my past but on God’s word. I and my family members who knew the Lord began to involve ourselves in prayers and fasting, having family prayer altars and reading of scriptures to guide us. It was through prayer and fasting that I came to know of Victory Church of Christ ministries in Luzira. So hungry and eager to know the exit out of my struggles that I began to hearken to God’s word that was always preached. At first it seemed like I was getting nothing but I kept writing every important point preached and  to attend the deliverance sessions that were always carried out every Wednesday by Pr. George Oduch. This helped me to rebuild my foundation on the word of God. This is an encouragement to you the youth who feel like you want to quit, you feel hindered and over loaded with burdens you can’t carry. The answer to the end of your struggles lies in knowing God and what He promises in His word for you. You make that your foundation.That is what will give you security. Don’t tamper with witchcraft and polygamy. And if you have it in your roots pray and cut it off from your own life.

2. Have  a connection with a right Church

Over the years I have met youths who keep saying “this thing of Church all the time”. Yes it may look like your seniors  or those who cares about you are burdening you with going to Church always yet you need it. There are times when I sit down and I ask myself this question. Had I not found a good Church that carries out deliverance like Victory Church of Christ Ministries, where would I be now?

That’s why I want to tell you especially the youths, if there’s something you should do before you think of getting a job, married, promoted, starting up a business, having success in school then it is seeking for your deliverance first. As I have told you earlier I could not get a job despite the fact that I was a bright young man, I could not continue with my studies until I got a connection with the right Church that helped me get delivered from all kinds of opposing forces from my family background. I remember when I was going to sit my S.4 exams my own father an Engineer refused to pay my fees because my step mother told him not to. At that point I felt like my life was shuttered.  It was like the future I had dreamt of was no more and worst of all my other siblings were looking at me for an answer. When that happened they also felt like there was no head way for them. However, because of my association with VCCM, I was taken back to school and later to do Media related courses that have empowered my life positively and also given me a living that in return has also helped me to support my family and others.

3. Have discipline and be focused

Lack of focus is probably one of the reasons that has brought many families sorrow.  When you hire security in your home, it is because you are looking for some sort of safety and for that safety to be realized, the security guard ought to focus on the job. This too applies to us as a family. For us to keep our families secure we ought to focus on what will safe guard our families and that is the word of God. When your children know the word of God and apply it in their day to day life, it will be so hard for promoters of evil like homosexuals, lesbians, sorcerers, ocultic practitioners, sexual molesters, drug users etc. to gain control over them.

Way back through facebook, I got to know some lady from Columbus in the Sates who had arranged my air ticket to travel and work abroad. Seeing the opportunity of becoming wealthy in a short time I okayed the idea. I went through the processes required but because I had knowledge of God’s word I inquired of the Lord and interestingly God gave me wisdom to check out for the organization details on the net only to realize this was a shadow organization whose job is to recruit young energetic African youths into homosexuality. This gives me reason enough to tell you the youth who is in high gear to go to the US and many other European countries to hold on a little. What you are looking for is not there but it is right here in your country all you need to do is discover it, go for it and work for it. While to my dear parents I urge you to teach the children the laws of the Lord that when they are of age they won’t live to make you regret why you produced them. Deuteronomy 11:19 (Amplified) says “And you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you rise up.”

However on the side of discipline, I want to encourage my fellow youths both in the Church family and biological family to take note of this point. We the youths are tomorrow’s leaders and one of the key factors that will help us prepare to lead is discipline in all areas of our lives. Let us give our parents a reason to know that while they are gone the future will still be secure. Let us be men and women that our Nation will look to for solutions. And above all let us make our parents’ proud of us not bitter about us. Ephesians 6:2 says “Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother—this is the first commandment with a promise—”

Finally, I want to encourage everyone reading this message that for you to find meaning for your life it’s not in drugs and bars like I thought before, it’s not in hanging out with women or men as some do, it’s neither in quitting your marriage for another one and it is not in foreign donors but it is in Christ Jesus. This very moment Jesus is saying; “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and overburdened and I will cause you to rest,(I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls)  take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ( relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.’(Matthew 11:28-29 Amp)

Are you a father, mother or a youth who is tired and want to give up in life? Hand that yoke to Jesus and He will give you rest. And if you are not yet born Again why not entrust your life to Christ who alone can give meaning to your life. If you are ready to do so, say this simple prayer of commitment: Say

“Dear Jesus. I come to you as a sinner. Forgive my sins.  Right now I entrust you with my life as my Lord and Savior. Make my family and my life secure. Amen”

If you said that prayer from your heart, you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Find a bible teaching Church near you where you can fellowship in order to grow spiritually. Let us know about your commitment to Christ through our contacts.

God bless

Mr. Bril Emma Opanyi

Youth Vice Chairperson-VCCM

For more information log onto our website:http://www.vccmin.org/

Tel, +256 772 465293.

P. O. BOX 34167, KAMPALA UGANDA

1. Delivered from witchcraft attacks

Praise the Lord; I joined Victory Church of Christ in July 2011. Before I came to VCCM I had many issues I was going through. I used to see rats in my house which would come and eat up my cloths in the broad day light in my presence. At first I thought it was something ordinary only to realize it was a spiritual issue. I would also have dreams of snakes to the point it began manifesting. I began feeling snakes moving in my back and in the stomach.  I also had this headache that was constant. I could get witchcraft attacks but finally when a friend brought me to VCCM, the Pastors prayed for me and all these attacks stopped I am now so happy, I have the peace that I can’t explain that’s why I give all the glory back to God.

Susan Atyang.

2. Answered Prayers

Praise the Lord! I really want to thank God for He is a God who answers prayer. Last year in my last semester I was disturbed about where my tuition was going to come from but during a deliverance service, as the Pastor was leading us into prayer I also lifted my need of Tuition to God and amazingly the following week my uncle calls me and says: ‘Sandra, come and get the tuition’.  I really want to thank God for his provision.

Akullu Sandra

1. On the 16th.12.2011 Pastor George Oduch and a team of four travelled to Abim District for the first joint District prayer meeting.  Representatives from all the churches represented their denominations.  Bishop Mark Becker Ochola and Ven. Robert Achila represented Church of Uganda. Catholic Church was also represented by a team. The pentecostals were represented by Pr. George Oduch, Bishop Ogwang Samuel and Ev. Abraham Odyek. War Child Holland, ADRA, DFCU Bank and other NGO’s were also represented. In this prayer meeting, Pr. Oduch told the different denominations  present that if they are to bring change to the district then they ought to know why Jesus was born. Abim district is one of the virgin lands in Uganda that have not been put to proper use due to the idol forces holding the place. The area is influenced by the highest level of idol worship that has caused many youth to indulge in idol worship and drunkardness leading to high rate of poverty. However during the prayer meeting Pr. George Oduch led a prayer for the area, the youths and the district leadership. We thank God for this prayer meeting.

2. Our monthly Youth overnight for the month of January took place on Friday 13th, 2012. The overnight was a great blessing as the Youths were set ablaze to seek God in these times. The VCCM senior pastor George Oduch who was the main preacher called upon the youths to listen to godly counsel as a key requirement to progress and success. We thank God for such great wisdom that was shared with the youths.

3. From the 8th-15th.01.2012 Destiny Worship Center Mutungo located in Mutungo zone 3 Pastored by Dambisa Sam organized a Miracle healing Crusade in Mutungo where Pastor George Oduch was guest preacher for 3 days. During the 3 days ministry Pastor George Oduch encouraged the multitudes gathered to come to Jesus who is the way, the truth and the light and the only one who takes away their sins.  We thank God for the grace of God that manifested during this crusade.

4. VCCM held her annual Youth Which Way Forward Conference from the 17th-20th. 2012 at VCCM premises. The four days conference with the theme: Secure the Future from Jeremiah 29:11 was aimed at equipping the youths to work towards a brighter future. Among the preachers who ministered words of knowledge and wisdom included our very own spiritual parents George and Rose Oduch, Bishop Harman Sentamu, Pr. Monique Mubiru, and Pr. Robinson Okello. The conference however was crowned up on 21st.01.2012 with games and sports that took place at PTS training grounds. What a remarkable week the youths had!

1. We want to invite all the youths for our monthly special youth service that will take place on Sunday 29th January 2012 at Victory Church of Christ Ministry Premises Luzira starting at 5:00pm. Come and let’s celebrate the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ as youths. Remember to invite a friend.

2. Baptism by immersion is scheduled to take place on Saturday 4th.02.2012 at Miami Sand Beech. For those who are not yet baptized by immersion, you are encouraged to register with the Church Secretary with a fee of 3,000 shillings to facilitate the function. Do this to fulfill all righteousness.

3. Our monthly Youth overnight will be held on Friday 10th February 2012 starting at 8:30pm till 5am. All the youths are encouraged to attend this overnight and also to invite fellow youths from other churches to attend. Come let us secure our Future with Prayer and I know the Lord will surely bless you.

4. Pastor George and Rose Oduch invites the general public and all Christians for Our monthly healing, miracles and Deliverance overnight which will be held on the 27th January 2012 starting at 9:00pm till 5am.Come with the sick, oppressed and all those who need God’s intervention and their lives will not remain the same.

5. The Chairman and Organizing committee for the wedding ceremony of Mr. Okim Francis and Miss Achieng Josephine due to take place on 4th. 02.2012 invite all members of VCCM, friends and well wishers for their wedding meetings that are ongoing every thursday at Kati-Kati Restaurant from 5:00pm and Sundays from 11am at Ebenezer Canteen behind VCCM parking. Come and let us support the cause of marriage and God will bless you.