Kampala International University in Tanzania (KIUT) Chapel from the 5ththrough to the 11thof February 2023 organized and conducted a successful seven-day word seminar that was led on separate days by Pastor Stanley Makomola, Apostle Tito Yaredi, and Apostle Peter Pawa. The central theme taught throughout the week was, “Life of Worship,”that was attended by students, staff members, and members of the public.
On day one, Sunday 5th of February, Pastor Stanley taught the Word of God after a session of prayers, and praise and worship songs lead by the Christ’s Ambassadors Students Fellowship of Kampala International University in Tanzania (CASFETA-KIUT). The pastorreferenced his initial teachings from the books of Romans chapter twelve, verse one and Philippians chapter two verse eight.
Roman 12: 1state, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.”
Philippians 2: 8states, “And being found in fashion as a man, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Pastor Stanleytaught the audience that God expects total obedience and humbleness and when people go through issues, whether good or bad, they should always look up to him (God). He further emphasized the reading of the word because God always acts based on his word and being ignorant of the word is no excuse, explaining why some people might spend a lot of time praying and worshipping, and still do not get answers to their prayers. Therefore, it is important for people to read and meditate on the Word of God to truly understand him and get their prayers answered.
“God is seeking true worshippers, and this is through prayer, reading and meditating on his word, and living righteously,” stated pastor Stanley through referencing the book of John 4:23 and the book of Romans 6:18. He added that unrighteous acts have eventual consequences, giving an example of students who end up in serious trouble when caught cheating in exams.
The first-day seminar had more than 70 people in attendance, comprising students, staff members, and other community members inside and outside the campus.
Day two was led again by Pastor Stanley with the assistance of Mr. Tahona as the service moderator, and the KIUT Chapel praise team that led the assembly through deep praise and worship. Pastor Stanley gave highlights to the previous day’s teaching before continuing with fresh teachings on the second day.
Pastor Stanley focused on lifestyle devotion or worship where members were urged to genuinely try to be pure in everything they do daily – when eating, studying, playing, or doing any sort of activity. He further added that faithfulness, integrity, and good character are important if a person wants to please God.
The pastor also taught the audience that being kind and serving others pleases God, with Jesus Christ even equating to serving him directly.
The seminar that day was guided by the books of first Corinthians chapter fifteen, verse fifty-eight; Matthew chapter twenty-five, verse thirty-one to thirty-one to forty; first Corinthians chapter four, verses one to two; and first Corinthians chapter three, verses nine to ten.
1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Matthew 25:31-40: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
1 Corinthians 4:1-2:” This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
1Corinthians 3:9-10: “For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it.”
The second day also had more than seventy people in attendance.
On the third day, Apostle Tito Yaredi taught about the heart of worship. His teaching came from the following books:
Matthew 5:8: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 16:26: For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
The apostle emphasized that true worship is when our hearts worship God.He further explained thatpeople’s hearts can make God seem weak and powerless due to our sinful nature, impure and lustful thoughts in our hearts that limit the spirit of God to manifest his power and presence in our livesas God does not dwell in a sinful heart.
The apostle urged members to renew their hearts through confession and being selective on what they feed theirhearts with.
The third day seminar was attended by more than 120 people comprising of students, staff members, and other members within and outside the campus.
Apostle Tito Yaredi taught again on the fourth day, continuing from the previous day’s teaching that started with a recap. The teachings came from the books of Matthew chapter six, verse 6 and Galatians chapter 5, verse twenty-four. They were read to the members as below:
Matthew 6:6: But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Galatians 5:24: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Apostle Yaredi continued from where he left off, urging members to purify their sinful hearts that are filled with dark desires such as hatred, jealousy, lustful thoughts, and more by accepting Jesus Christ into their hearts who will lead them towards a purification journey.
Apostle Yaredi then taught the members another aspect about the heart of worship by urging members to not worship God to please men. Instead pray and read the bible with an eye of revelation in private or secrecy.
The fourth day had 103 members and the seminar included prayers, and praise and worship songs.
The fifth day Apostle Yaredi preached the Word of God after a session of prayers, and praise and worship songs that prepared the members in body and spirit to receive God’s teachings.
Apostle Yaredi taught about service to the Kingdom of God. The teachings came from the books of John chapter one, verse six; John chapter six, verse thirty-eight to forty-two; Luke chapter one verse eight, and Romans chapter twelve verse two. The verses were read as below:
John 1: 6: There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
John 6:38-42: For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, I am the bread that came down from heaven. They said, Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?
Luke 1:8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God.
Romans 12:2: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The apostle urged members to find out their identity by asking themselves questions of where they came from, why they are here, and where are they going? He explained the reason being that God empowered every person with different gifts to serve him and him alone. He further said the reason that people do not or have a hard time knowing their identity is sin that keeps man far from God.
The service on the fifth day was attended by more than 110 people comprising of students, staff members, and other community members.
On the sixth day of the seminar, Apostle Peter Pawa taught the Word of God, focusing on the origin of Worship, which was derived from the book of Revelations chapter four verse eleven. The verse states the following:
Revelation 4:11: You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you creating all things, and by your will they are created and have their being.
The seminar also involved testimonies from guests ministers, Pastor Rowland and his wife who gave their evangelical experiences, urging members to preach the gospel to the last, least and lost, and not just to those who are saved. He also encouraged members to develop the tendency of reading the Word of God as it makes people more passionate and obedient towards him.
The seventh and last day, Apostle Peter Pawa gave the word, focusing on worshipping and salvation. With salvation, the Apostle said it is the one thing given for free by God through his son Jesus Christ as a show of love to mankind. With worshipping, he taught the audience that it is confirming admission into God’s kingdom. He also encouraged the audience that a true worshipper will encounter afflictions in his journey, but they should stay strong and vigilant because the enemy will always want to set you back. This was further reiterated that man is not perfect and makes mistakes, however, this does not mean a person should not repent and worship.
The final day of the seminar was moving and memorable, with deep prayers, and praise and worship to give glory and thanks to the God almighty for a successful seven-day seminar that went by without any hiccups.
The members gave positive sentiments about the event and how educating it was, learning more and more about God and his heavenly kingdom.
The Word Seminar is an annual event organized by the Kampala International University in Tanzania Chapel to teach the Word of God on a particular aspect or topic for seven days through guestpreachers.
The event is very helpful in the campus because each year, new students arrive, and continuing students graduate and leave. Therefore, it helps new students experience the seminar for the first time, with some members becoming born againand the continuing students to be reminded about God.
