We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, without error in the original writings, fully trustworthy and God-breathed. They are divine. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12, 13)

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—co-eternal in being, co-eternal in nature, co-equal in power and glory, having the same attributes and perfections of one another. The very nature of the Trinity is divine in that there is no one like him and nothing to compare him to with full accuracy. (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1Kings 8:23, 1Samuel 7:22)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1–2, 14; Luke 1:35). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, serving as a Substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification and eternal life is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:3–5). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry as Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate (Acts 1:9, 10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:24; Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2). We believe Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; He is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration (causing a person to be born-again or to be made alive in Christ), baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption and bringing unity, love and structure in the body of Christ essentially giving birth to new Jesus following communities. (John 16:8–11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 5:18, Eph. 2:22).

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin the entire human race and even creation was separated from God. We have inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; man is totally and utterly corrupted and of himself utterly unable to remedy his lost, corrupted condition. (Genesis 1:26, 27; Romans 3:22, 23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1–3, 12).

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace, entirely apart from man’s work and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins. Through that salvation there is a continual repentance, turning away from all gods, idols, sin and evil and a progressive maturity and conformity of Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8–10; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18–19; 2Cor. 3:18).

We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 6:37–40; 10:27–30; Romans 8:1, 38, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:4–8; 1 Peter 1:5). We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation through the testimony of God’s Word, which clearly forbids the use of ‘Christian liberty’ as an occasion for the flesh (sinful life). (Romans 13:13, 14; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11–15).

We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowing of spiritual gifts. It is, however, the believer’s responsibility to attempt to develop their sovereignly given spiritual gift(s). The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at conversion and is the placing of the believer into the Body of Christ. We also believe that particular spiritual gift(s) are neither essential, nor prove the presence of the Holy Spirit, nor are an indication of deep spiritual experience (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11, 13; Ephesians 4:7–8). We believe that God does hear and answer the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14, 15). We believe that it is the privilege and responsibility of every believer to minister according to the gift(s) and grace of God that is given to him or her. (Romans 12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Peter 4:10–11).

We believe that the church, which is the body and betrothed bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism (body or community) made up of all born-again persons (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:25–27; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; 2 Corinthians 11:2). We believe that the establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures and are to consist of regenerated (born-again) persons living in community, exhibiting spiritual biblical transformation (new life & maturity in the Holy Scriptures) (Acts 14:27; 18:22; 20:17; 1 Timothy 3:1–3; Titus 1:5–11). We believe in the right to self govern the local churches, free of any external authority and control (Acts 13:1–4; 15:19–31; 20:28; Romans 16:1,4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16; 1 Corinthians 5:4–7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1–4). We recognize believer’s baptism and the Lord’s supper as scriptural means of testimony for the church and a memorial to His suffering and death on the cross as well as resurrection from death. These are ordinances to be observed by the church in its present age and are a representation of God’s grace to us. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:41, 42; Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

Church Leadership Structure

A Gospel-centered church requires a biblically based leadership structure. At Sojourn we believe this structure includes:

– an understanding of the active leadership role of Jesus in the local church,
– qualified and competent male elders,
– male and female deacons,
– and devoted church members.

We believe in the eminent return of the exalted, glorified Christ Jesus to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead, the everlasting blessedness of the saved in heaven, and the everlasting punishment and separation from God of the unsaved in hell.

Preamble: 

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual  immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification  and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; (1 Thes 4:3-5) 

God aims that his church lives for and demonstrates holiness, that each of us learn to  possess his own vessel, in pursuit of holiness. Out of reverence for Christ.  

As Sojourn Church, we don’t underestimate the impact sexual immorality can have on our  witness for Christ, and so, we seek to regularly remind ourselves of our commitments and  obligations to the body of believers, commitments to sexual purity in cross cultural missions,  at school , at home and at work, in marriage, during dating, in friendships, among others. 

We Believe: 

We believe that God created man and woman in His image (Gen 1:27). We believe that  marriage is between man and woman (Gen 2:18-19, 24). We believe strong families are the  foundation of strong churches and therefore discipleship and evangelism are most  pronounced and exhibited at home.  

1. a) On Dating  

Dating is not sin. Yet due to the entangling nature of sin, (Heb 12:1) We encourage personal holiness demonstrated in accountable romantic  

relationships and boundary keeping in the context of a local church. Whereas  not all relationships end in marriage, we encourage romantically involved  couples to walk in the light (1 John 1:9) seek accountability from marriage  ministry leaders and explore biblical counselling towards their goals.  

1. b) Courtship 

We understand courtship as an intentional, non-casual way of knowing the  opposite sex for purposes of serious commitment leading to marriage. we  see it as an opportunity to learn about each other in the context of  

community, accountability and biblical authority. Be it of older couples,  parents or church leaders. 

1. c) Traditional ceremony/Introduction. 

At Sojourn, we take the traditional introduction ceremony and its requirements as part of a couple’s obligation to honor thy father and  mother. (Ex 20:12) We encourage aspiring couples to consequently  demonstrate a pursuit of an official wedding ceremony solemnized by the  church, with God as the blesser (Mark 10:9) and Government of Uganda as  the certifier.  

Couples already living together before joining Sojourn are encouraged into  biblical counselling towards the same end.  

1. d) Engagement. 

We believe engagement is a joyous occasion to invite community and  accountability into the relationship, (Heb 3:13) not a solemn validation of it,  sexual impurity and cohabiting are consequently discouraged for engaged couples. (Eph 5:3, 1 Cor 6: 18, Gal 5:19, Matt 5:28 2 Cor 12:21) 

1. e) Wedding. 

We believe a wedding is the public witness of a couple. A public ceremony  and event before marriage that makes husband and wife till death do them  apart. We require evidence of pre-marital counseling and basic discipleship  for those committed towards this glorious institution.  

1. f) Cohabitation 

Cohabitation is when one partner decides to live and run marital  responsibilities with another in relationship not legally recognized as  marriage. It is sin (Eph 5:3. 1 Cor 6:18, Matt 5:28) and a taint to the  testimony of the church and her members, older couples already living  together for more than 5 years are encouraged towards biblical counselling  and legal recognition of the relationship.  

1. g) Fornication. 

Fornication is sexual activity between a man and woman who is not your  wife or husband. we believe our bodies are temples of the Holy spirit to be  possessed with restraint, stewardship and spiritual health.  

1. g) Pre-marital counselling. 

Pre-marital counselling is our verification path towards marital commitment, it  is steered by an older couple preferably from Sojourn marriage ministry under  the oversight of the elders. We also envision it as a discipleship intensive  designed to prepare the couple for a lifetime of God honoring commitment as  husband and wife. Sojourn Church does not guarantee marriage as an obvious outcome of pre-marital counselling, but as a path to explore whether the  couple has counted the cost.  

Note: Prevailing Church elders alongside ministry leaders are at all occasions responsible for reiterating and appropriating Sojourn’s position on sex, 

relationships and marriage, publicly on the pulpit and privately in biblical  counselling. 

1. h) Whoʼs Accountable?  

Where church discipline is called for, our formal members are the intended audience of this position, however, regular attendance past the six-week mark  will be interpreted as commitment to Sojourn Church. 

1. i) Help for the struggling  

We stumble in many ways, (James 3:2) The Church invites those in need of  clarification, restoration, prayer and guidance on the matters mentioned above  to reach out, elders are available Tuesday and Thursday at Church office. From  time to time, we reach out where spiritual need is determined.