We are excited to have Mark Bartels and Dr. Charity Alinda from Uganda Christian University Partners, one of St. Philip’s world mission partners, joining us at the Rector’s Forum on Sunday, February 9. They will be speaking on the ministry of UCU and its impact on East Africa, with a Q&A session included.

After the 10:30 a.m. service, everyone is invited to come to the Parlor in the church office to meet them informally, hear more about Uganda Christian University and its new school of medicine, and learn how you can support and become actively involved in the largest Anglican university in East Africa (www.ucu.ac.ug).

About our speakers and UCU: Mark Bartels is a graduate of Wheaton College with a BA in political science and an MA in educational ministries.  He and his wife, Abby, lived on the UCU campus for 10 years, where they started a study abroad program for students from Christian universities in the US and Canada to come and study in Uganda. Mark has been the Executive Director of Uganda Christian University Partners since 2014. He and Abby have three children and live in Sewickley, PA.

Dr. Charity Alinda attended Uganda Christian University (UCU) from 2006 to 2009 where he earned a BA in Public Administration and Management. Dr. Alinda also holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. In his current role at Millersville University, he serves as the university’s liaison to various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Dr. Alinda serves as a board member for UCU Partners. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.

Uganda Christian University has approximately 14,000 students studying at five campuses. It provides a rich spiritual foundation for students with programs in theology, medicine, nursing, law, engineering, education, business, computer science, visual arts and design, agricultural science, social science, journalism, media, and communication, among others. The new School of Medicine graduated its first class of 60 doctors and 10 dentists this past year.

Uganda Christian University Partners provides material and spiritual support for UCU in the areas of student scholarships, academic programs, capital projects, and staff development and supports UCU in its mission to “equip students for productive, holistic lives of Christian faith and service.”

Jayne and I lived on the campus of UCU in 2012-13. We taught in the departments of English, Agricultural Science, and Nursing. Jayne is also on the board of Save the Mothers, a non-profit organization located on the UCU campus. We have had the privilege to lead three short-term mission teams from Charleston (St. Andrews and St. Philip’s) to UCU over the past eight years. St. Philippians Fred Willis and Tammy and Guv Gottshalk came on our most recent trip in April 2024.

We hope you will join us at the Rector’s Forum this Sunday to hear Mark and Charity and in the Parlor after the 10:30 service to learn more and ask questions.