From the Field Uganda: SLAM Conference

This last week was a whirlwind, but it was a wonderful first week! Since this is my Immersion, this is my second time coming to Africa, which means I was able to be reunited with our cooperatives once again. Seeing them was wonderful! It was filled with smiles, laughter, and a shared excitement for the summer of ministry ahead. 

This week we were able to facilitate an awesome East Africa SLAM leadership conference. The goal was to train leaders on how to facilitate a SLAM service week in Kenya and Uganda. 

Immersion student Olivia Beaverson shares on the topic of keynote speaking, and how to plan well for the main event speaker at a SLAM week.

Personally, this was a special experience because Immersion and Summer Intern students were challenged with the responsibility of creating presentations. In these presentations, we covered the nine aspects of facilitating a SLAM week: Hospitality, Service Week Coordination, Service Project Coordination, Networking, Keynote Speaking, Focus Groups, Late Nites, Meals, and Worship . For me, I was able to teach on the importance of hospitality and how to make the attendees feel well cared for. 

I loved what we did! It was a blessing to be able to participate. Our school has a phase: “follow Jesus, make history.” While simple, it communicates that Jesus is still active in the world, and we can join him in his work. It’s a crazy invitation! If we choose to follow in his footsteps, we too can greatly impact the world. After all, Jesus said “whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do.” (‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬a)

Trip facilitator Derek Bargatze speaks to SLAM leaders in attendance at this year’s conference.

I’m filled with thankfulness because over ten years ago, SLAM encouraged me to enter into full-time ministry. It changed my life and directed me towards the Lord. Students who attend get to hear God’s Word and see it modeled in a concentrated way. We’ve seen youth be blessed and challenged for over 20 years, and now we are watching the program expand in East Africa. 

While there was jet lag and full schedules that should have made us tired, I can attest that the Immersion and Internship teams are energized and motivated for the weeks to come. We ended this week by hearing testimonies of the leaders saying they felt more empowered and knowledgeable to facilitate their own SLAM week. While it takes time to develop programs and develop people, it has proven to reap young adults who love God and love their neighbor. The very explanation Jesus gave when summarizing the Law (Matthew 22:36-39). We ask for continued prayer as we push forward these efforts in the next few weeks.