Born-again association gets new head

The new National Fellowship of Born-again Pentecostal Churches leader Bishop Lwere (L) receives a copy of the association’s constitution from out-going head Alex Mitala.

PHOTO BY BY AL-MAHDI SSENKABIRWA

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Bishop Joshua Lwere takes over from Apostle Alex Mitala who has been serving as the general overseer since 2003

The National Fellowship of Born-again Pentecostal Churches (NFBPC) has changed leadership with Bishop Joshua Lwere taking the mantle as general overseer of the association.

Bishop Lwere of Grace Assembly Church, located at Old Kampala, replaces Apostle Alex Mitala, who has been at the helm for nine years.

When receiving instruments of power from his predecessor in Kampala on Friday, Bishop Lwere said in his five-year term, he will focus on redeeming the image of the Pentecostal movement in Uganda.

The group has of late been tainted by self-styled pastors with some implicated in corruption, molestation and sodomy-related cases.
“Our credibility has been harmed by self-seekers who infiltrated us, and having been elected in such a position, I promise to give my best to redeem our image,” he said.

He also commended Apostle Mitala for offering clean leadership amid resistance from a section of pastors who oppose unity among born-again churches.

“Leadership comes from God, But some people think they cannot be led by others, something we have to fight if we are to move forward as Born-again Christians, ” Bishop Lwere said in direct reference to some top pastors who have up to date refused to subscribe to NFBPC.
Bishop Lwere was previously the NFBPC secretary general.

Apostle Mitala said the biggest challenge during his tenure was bringing together various churches and transforming the lives of individual followers, which he said had partially been achieved.

“Achieving unity and meaningful transformation is a process and I think I have played by part. It is now the role of my successor to offer his best and take us to another level,” Apostle Mitala said.

NFBPC spokesperson Ambrose Gidudu said Bishop Lwere will be consecrated on June 1 at Kololo Independence Grounds at ceremony expected to be graced by both local and foreign dignitaries.
“We ask all women and men of God to turn up in droves and be witness to this great event of our time,” he said.

HISTORY
Formed in 1990, NFBPC is a national umbrella network of more than 22,000 mainly Pentecostal churches and para-church organisations. Pastor Simeon Kayiwa was NFBPC first overseer in 1990, who was later replaced by Apostle Mitala in 2003.