North Kigezi Diocese News
The Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe, has called upon youth and students to decisively let go of their past and boldly move forward in faith, urging them to “burn the bridges” that may lead them back to old habits and failures.
Bishop Asiimwe made the remarks while preaching on the second day of the Annual Youth and Students Convention at Makobore High School, held under the theme “…Move On!”, drawn from Exodus 14:15.
In his sermon, the Bishop highlighted what he termed the “three Fs” — Facts, Fear, and Faith — explaining that facts often give rise to fear, which can paralyze people and prevent progress.
“Facts give rise to fear, and fear grips the people. But when you are faced with fear, look up to God,” Bishop Asiimwe said.
He encouraged the youth to leave their battles to God, emphasizing that when God’s glory is at stake, He personally intervenes.
“When you find yourself between battles, leave them to the Lord. He will fight for you,” he added.
The Bishop stressed that prayer and obedience must go hand in hand, noting that prayer alone is not sufficient without action.
“Prayer and action are not separate. Prayer gives you the courage and faith to move on,” he said.
Using a powerful illustration, he challenged the youth to step out in faith, saying that one cannot claim inability to walk on water without first stepping out of the boat. He emphasized that faith always requires action
He further reminded the congregation that God is a God of the impossible, capable of removing poverty, worries, and obstacles, just as He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites.
Referencing Exodus 8:10, which recounts the plague of frogs in Egypt, the Bishop cautioned the youth against holding on to past sins and mistakes, likening such behavior to Pharaoh’s reluctance to let go of the Israelites because he had become comfortable with the frogs.
He challenged the youth to completely sever ties with anything that could draw them back into sin, urging them to burn their bridges to avoid any possibility of turning back.
Posing direct and reflective questions, he asked whether some were still keeping compromising photos on their phones or holding onto websites and links they intended to revisit after the convention, calling on them to get rid of such things.
He emphasized that this message was a call to obedience and action, not merely an emotional response.
Bishop Asiimwe noted that some young people had remained stagnant for a long time, saying they had been “marking time” and lingering at the sea for too long, and challenged them to move on.
In response to the altar call that followed the sermon, 50 youths publicly received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, marking a powerful moment of spiritual renewal at the convention.
He concluded by calling upon the youth and students to forsake fornication, alcoholism, smoking, and other destructive behaviours, sharing his personal testimony of once being trapped in similar sins, including theft, before encountering Christ.
