New Hope Uganda

   

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NHU Envisioning 2026

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gathered as one

One of my first experiences in Uganda in 2006 was attending New Hope Uganda’s staff Envisioning. I remember being a bit overwhelmed by the experience back then. So many people I did not know, worship that was very different, and heat that had me sweating as I sat and listened.  

But there was also something that was so reassuring about that experience, and 20 years later it has stuck with me. There was a feeling of community that stood out and brought a peace that just set me at ease. The messages all revolved around the Word of God, the testimonies and speakers all demonstrated hearts that were seeking God’s plan and His glory. It captured my heart to say the least. 

Fred Mwesiga leading the service. #leaders #pray #hope

Envisioning is a conference that is intended to connect the staff to the vision for the coming year. It sets the tone and prepares the NHU staff for the task of ministering to the children God has brought to NHU. 

This year, 2026, due to the elections that were taking place in January, the NHU management scheduled it for a different time frame. Rather than six days in January, it was scaled back to four days and held in May. I scheduled my recent trip to Uganda to coincide with Envisioning. The theme for 2026 is “COME LET US REBUILD,” and I was privileged to be the keynote speaker with three sessions to address the staff.  

Our call, to live coram deo

Held at Kasana Children’s Center, it was an exciting time to be with staff from both Kasana and Kobwin Children’s Centers. Worship, the Word, and the same feeling I experienced 20 years ago was present in each and every session. As we shared tea and snacks mid-morning, lunch together with various staff members each day, I came away so encouraged. 

eat together

The staff of NHU have continually demonstrated commitment to the vision and lived it out through their serving. There have been some pretty lean times over the years, not to mention the challenges since COVID. 2020 nearly shut the country down all together and prevented the ministry from happening. And yet, staff have given, sacrificed, modeled the love of God, and labored to build the kingdom in our children.  

I have said this before and this time is no different, the Ugandan staff often challenge my faith and my commitment, and they encourage me on my own journey. May we all experience a fresh vision for what God is calling us to do, put our hands to the plow, and build the Kingdom of God together.  Come let us rebuild – TOGETHER

NHU staff at Envisioning 2026

Jesus is the great example of serving others (Matthew 20:28), but the staff at New Hope Uganda bring a fantastic, real-life example. Living out the Word, putting others, the children, ahead of their own needs, and sacrificing so much for the vision (Philippians 2:3). It is inspiring to see and learn from what they do.  

Geoffrey Britton - President

Geoffrey Britton

President – New Hope Uganda Ministries

Geoff, his wife of 28 years Mary, and his three children, served at Kasana Children’s Center from 2006-2019 before returning to the U.S. In 2019. Their lives have been intimately intertwined with Africa for more than 30 years. Geoff began serving as President in 2025 and deeply desires to see young Ugandans fulfill their God given purposes in life.

    Blessings of Work

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    God created the heavens and earth and created mankind in His own image, giving them the dominion mandate to steward all of the earth on His behalf as His vice-regents (Genesis 1:28).  For mankind to fulfill this task of stewardship over creation and this dominion mandate task, God gave them the blessing of work.  Work is a gift that God gave to mankind, before the fall, to be fruitful in the stewardship of creation (Genesis 2:15).  Today, this dominion mandate in creation is fulfilled in the Great Commission in the task left by Jesus to His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).  The work of the Great Commission is not just saving souls for heaven but bringing the redemption of the gospel to all mankind and all of creation for the glory of God. 

    Just like in the Old Testament, where we see people like Noah working hard on the ark to bring salvation for God’s chosen ones, in the New Testament, we see Jesus doing the work of His Father in bringing salvation to God’s chosen ones (John 17:4). His disciples continue on this work throughout the New Testament.  We see Paul, one of the key players in taking the Gospel to the Gentiles and writing the New Testament, working hard at the great commission in taking the gospel to the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 15:10).  The New Testament also shows us people doing different kinds of work, but all building up to making disciples for the glory of God, such as business people (Acts 18:1-3), wives, mothers and grandmothers (2 Tim 1:5), government workers (Romans 16:23), doctors, widows (Acts 9:36), jailers (Acts 16:33-34), etc.

    Therefore, every believer in every vocation is called to use the blessing of work in making disciples and building God’s kingdom.   This is an equal call for both the pastor, elder or missionary, and the marketplace worker, such as a teacher, doctor, stay-at-home mother, driver, barista, student, etc.  Every believer in their God-placed role is called to use the God-given gift of work to build the kingdom of God.  Therefore, the mindset that looks at work as a necessary evil to survive, and the illusion of an early retirement where one has made enough money or accrued significant benefits and thus no longer needs to work, but can spend life on entertainment, couldn’t be further from the truth!  It is in God-ordained work, full-time or part-time, paid or voluntary, home or outside the home, ministry or marketplace work, that Christ-followers live with purpose at the task of making disciples and building God’s kingdom.

    As disciples of Christ, we cannot adopt the fallen worldview that work exists just for us to make a living to get access to the good things of life, but rather a Christ-centered view where work is a means not only to meet our needs but to fulfill the greater role of shining the light of Christ, making disciples, and building His kingdom. The gospel also transforms our worldview towards the income we get from our work.  It is not just to meet our needs and provide for personal enjoyment, but to share with those in need. In Ephesians 4:28, in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul addresses the former thief, expanding our view of work as a means of providing for our needs, but also an opportunity to share with the needy, and in so doing, lift up the poor and bridge the gap of inequality. 

    This Biblical view of work is also a core philosophy in our New Hope Uganda programs, as we desire to teach the children the value of work. It’s our hope that they will grow to be hard-working men and women, contributing to the needs in society, not dependents waiting for handouts or stealing. This is why we have our NHU children work in gardens, wash their own clothes, help with home chores, etc., to instill in them a Christ-honoring work ethic that will one day help them provide for themselves and their own families, and also be part of caring for the needs of others.  It is also such a view that has kept New Hope Uganda afloat.  In my time in America, one of the things that has amazed me is that many of our faithful sponsors and partners are not wealthy businessmen, making millions, but ordinary, faithful believers, living frugally with contentment in Christ, and sharing their income with the orphan and vulnerable in Uganda through NHU.  What a very beautiful aroma of Christ, and a Christ-centered view of work!  Their income is therefore not just to meet the needs of their families and build future security, but is shared with the orphan and vulnerable in giving them a hand up through the holistic care of evangelism, discipleship, education, and health care provided by New Hope Uganda.

    Denis Mutaka

    Denis is married to Jennie, and they have four children. They are missionaries in Uganda who have served with New Hope Uganda for many years in orphan care, administration, and teaching on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. They currently reside in Colorado Springs as they attend to Jennie’s health and as they both complete their seminary degrees online.