The World Missions Committee and Uganda Christian University Partners are offering St. Philippians a chance to go on pilgrimage to East Africa October 17–29! We will be spending the majority of our time with our ministry partners at Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono, about 12 miles east of the capital, Kampala, and we will conclude our  pilgrimage with a full African safari at Murchinson Falls National Park to observe Uganda’s treasure––its wild animals on the savanna! We will be on the lookout for kob, giraffes, elephants, baboons, warthogs, and even lions and leopards. When we take a boat ride on the Nile to Murchinson Falls, keep your eyes peeled for hippos, beautiful birds, and crocodiles.

While at UCU, the largest Anglican university in Africa (with a student body of 14,000!), you will experience the dynamic, vibrant Christian fellowship of your brothers and sisters in Uganda when we worship in the open-air Nkoyoyo Hall and meet with the administration, faculty, and students and alumni. We’ve planned visits to the business, education, and healthcare departments, as well as the School of Medicine. We may also visit the theology, law, communication, art, English, agricultural science, computer science, and engineering departments. 

The Uganda Martyrs Shrine will provide a deep understanding of the strong Christian commitment of the teenaged Ugandan believers who were burned to death for their faith. You will also learn about the impact of the East African Revival across the nation. Our time at UCU will end with the graduation ceremony––more than 1,000 students will be receiving their diplomas!

Other opportunities during our pilgrimage may include visits to Water Mission’s main office in Jinja, a Water Mission project in rural  Uganda, and Save-the-Mothers mother-baby-friendly clinics. 

This trip is open to anyone interested in going to Africa and experiencing a deeply Christian campus culture and meeting God’s people on the other side of the globe. The purpose of this pilgrimage is to provide each team member with a better understanding of the Church of Uganda, to learn about the needs and the hearts of Ugandans, to explore opportunities to partner with UCU (including the School of Medicine), to develop friendships with believers in Uganda, and to share the love of Jesus. 

The team will be led by Mark Bartels, Executive Director of Uganda Christian University Partners, Jayne and Tom Gurley, and Tammy and Guv Gottshalk. We aim to finalize the team by mid-July. If you are interested in learning more about this pilgrimage, please contact us by phone, text, or email:

Mark Bartels: (334) 424-0964, m.t.bartels@ugandapartners.org

Tom Gurley: (330) 957-9191, thomaswgurley@gmail.com

Jayne Gurley: (330) 801-9460, jayneegurley@gmail.com

Guv Gottshalk: (843) 729-8270, guvgottshalk@gmail.com

Tammy Gottshalk: (843) 270-4014, tammygottshalk@gmail.com