On Sunday morning I woke up from a dream that reveals God’s position concerning plans by the Government of Uganda to register Born Again churches and monitor their activities. In this dream, I found myself in a crowded and busy place, which I later learnt was a Churches Registration Center. Born Again Church leaders were registering their ministries under different umbrella organizations, two of which I remember clearly. When I inquired why this exercise was necessary, someone simply told me, “Obey the government”. I then realized that I was late and the registration exercise was closing in a short while; it was actually getting dark. When I saw a former schoolmate registering his Church, I asked him under which umbrella organization I should register Last Adam Tabernacle. His indirect response implied a specific organization. Then I awoke.

I believe this dream was sent by God to tell me (and you through me) that the government will eventually require Born Again Churches to register themselves under specific umbrella organizations which will monitor and regulate their activities.

While listening to Apostle Joseph Serwadda on Impact FM today morning, I learnt that using umbrella organizations to regulate churches was suggested and recommended by the government more than ten years ago. I hope I understood him right. If that is true, then it further authenticates my dream.

I am now convinced that God is behind the registering of churches under umbrella organizations. According to what the Ministry of Ethics and Integrity is saying, the government has no evil intentions. If, among other issues, it is pushing for financial integrity and accountability, then balokole Church leaders who are not crooks should not worry. God, through the umbrella organizations, is going to use the government’s policy to “mess up” thieves – preachers who are misrepresenting Him. God is evidently working to restore the glory of His Church.

However, we all know that in this fallen world every good thing often faces abuse. Therefore there is no guarantee that someone might not one day use the good for evil. That being the case, we should not reject the good that God has permitted just because ungodly people might in the future use it to their advantage. Even if the government were up to something sinister, and God requires us to obey it, we should take upon ourselves the attitude of Joseph. His brothers meant to destroy him, but Joseph realized that God allowed that evil to happen so that good might come out of it. Joseph told his siblings, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).

Let us not be found fighting against God. Often times, God’s opinions on issues are very different from what the majority think and voice. According to my dream, God and the government are on the same side. Moreover, in the dream, the command to obey the government was in the context of registering churches under umbrella bodies – the exact thing the Uganda Government recommended more than ten years ago. If you are an honest preacher, God will take care of your ministry in the event that the government, through the umbrella organizations, abuses its good intentions. If you are not convinced by my dream, you should seek God about the matter. In the meantime, get ready to obey the government.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. (Romans 13:1-5)

God bless you.