The following information about SOS Ministries was taken directly off their website: http://www.sosministries.com/history .
HISTORY
Founded in 2002, SOS Ministries is a Christian non-profit organization which seeks to provide humanitarian aid and biblical training to all those in need, focusing on the people of Uganda. Shannon Hurley founded SOS Ministries after seeing the overwhelming physical and spiritual needs of the Ugandan people. These needs primarily are a result of the horrific reign of Idi Amin Dada in the 70′s, the devastating results of the AIDS epidemic, and a continued culture of poverty, single-parent families, alcoholism, and various parasitic false religions promising wealth and health.
Shannon Hurley was introduced to Uganda in 1995 after traveling to Kenya with a group of ten other volunteers on a short-term missions trip. While in Kenya, he met a Kenyan missionary to Uganda. During this visit Shannon went with ten others through the country of Uganda. This trip made a tremendous impact on Shannon. His heart was moved by the love and joy of the Ugandan people. In January 2002, Shannon returned to the beloved country. The purpose of his visit was to see what opportunities he might have for the future. Consequently, SOS Ministries was born, officially incorporating on July 19, 2002.
“Ever since I went to Uganda in the summer of 1995, I have had
a deep inescapable love for the people of Uganda.”
Shannon Hurley,
Founder of SOS Ministries
a deep inescapable love for the people of Uganda.”
Shannon Hurley,
Founder of SOS Ministries
In 2002, Shannon graduated from The Masters Seminary and in early 2006 relocated his family to Uganda to more effectively serve the people. Initially operating a Christ-focused orphanage in the Kampala suburb of Mukono, Shannon became increasingly convinced that God had other plans for his ministry, as He opened a door to strengthen the Church through Biblical Training. In early 2009, As Shannon’s Biblical Training ministry continued to expand to meet the great need for clear teaching and training (Hosea 4:6), Shannon relocated the ministry to Luweero, two hours north of Kampala in a remote jungle. From this base, SOS could be among the people and pastors they desire to impact.
Since arriving in Luweero, SOS Ministries has grown from a staff of 5 to over 20 full-time staff, and its national training ministry continues to grow, reaching now into Kenya. In July 2012, SOS celebrated its 10th Anniversary.
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS
Uganda is considered one of the poorest nations in the world, with 52% living on less than $1.25 a day. These needs are primarily a result of the horrific reign of Idi Amin Dada in the 70′s, the devastating results of the AIDS epidemic, and a continued culture of poverty, single-parent families, alcoholism, and various parasitic false religions promising wealth and health.
“African Christianity has established itself as a truly potent force, both on the continent and even on a global level… In many countries, the Church has established itself as the only effective social organization that can bring reconciliation among ethnic groups and cope with many of the economic, health and education challenges in collapsing societies…
Discipleship is rightly being addressed as Africa’s greatest challenge. The growth of Christianity has been sensational, but the follow-up has traditionally been lacking. Non-Christian customs and worldviews permeate the Church. Syncretism is a major problem in many areas. Thorough repentance and renunciation of sin and the works of darkness are often lacking, and many Christians are not free from the influence of witchcraft and evil spirits…
Leadership Training is recognized as the critical bottleneck. Leaders are in short supply at every level—for village congregations, for the urban educated, for theological training, for missionary endeavor and for national-level leadership.”
-From the Africa Profile, Operation World, 7th Edition, pg. 36-37
SOS Ministry Focus
SOS headquarters is in Uganda’s Luweero District, in the remote village of Kubamitwe. From this humble base, SOS ministers to the local villagers, while providing Biblical Training and pastoral leadership on a national level. Shannon Hurley and SOS senior staff regularly visit pastors throughout Uganda. Due to limited transportation and financial resources of the Church, SOS brings the Biblical Training to each region of Uganda through strategically located National Conferences, including six regional pastors’ conferences, a National Youth Conference, and a National Womens’ Conference.
With a headquarters and primary focus in Uganda, SOS is making an impact in Kenya through the Baptist Convention of Kenya, with opportunities to reach throughout East Africa. Yet SOS’ influence extends far beyond Uganda and East Africa, as Shannon Hurley and SOS Ministries has supporters around the world that are touched by their ministry, and are spiritually blessed by seeing what God is doing through SOS, with some transformed through a short-term mission experience, volunteering or praying for SOS, or financially partnering with SOS in their ministry.
Quick Facts
Capital: KampalaPopulation: 32,369,558 (July 2010 estimate)
Languages: English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
Religions: Christian 83.9% (Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42%), Muslim 12.1%, Other 3.1%, none 0.9% (2002 estimate)
Literacy rate: Male: 76.8% / Female: 57.7% (2003 est.)
Percentage of population using improved drinking water sources: Urban: 90% / Rural: 60% (2006 estimate)
Percentage of population using adequate sanitation facilities: Urban: 29% / Rural: 34% (2006 estimate)
Climate: Tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast
Percentage of population urbanized: 13% (2008 estimate)
Life expectancy: Male: 51.6 years / Female: 53.8 years (2010 est.)
Under-5 mortality rate: 135/1,000 (2008 estimate)
GDP per capita: $1,200 (2009 est.)
Monetary unit: Ugandan shilling (UGX)
Number of people living with HIV/AIDS: 940,000 (2007 est.)
Percentage of population living below $1.25 a day: 52% (1992-2007 study)
Languages: English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
Religions: Christian 83.9% (Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42%), Muslim 12.1%, Other 3.1%, none 0.9% (2002 estimate)
Literacy rate: Male: 76.8% / Female: 57.7% (2003 est.)
Percentage of population using improved drinking water sources: Urban: 90% / Rural: 60% (2006 estimate)
Percentage of population using adequate sanitation facilities: Urban: 29% / Rural: 34% (2006 estimate)
Climate: Tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast
Percentage of population urbanized: 13% (2008 estimate)
Life expectancy: Male: 51.6 years / Female: 53.8 years (2010 est.)
Under-5 mortality rate: 135/1,000 (2008 estimate)
GDP per capita: $1,200 (2009 est.)
Monetary unit: Ugandan shilling (UGX)
Number of people living with HIV/AIDS: 940,000 (2007 est.)
Percentage of population living below $1.25 a day: 52% (1992-2007 study)
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