Bible Training
Twelve Bible schools. Two hundred pastors in training. A three-to-four year curriculum built on deep biblical study and ongoing mentorship.
The program
In Uganda, while many have embraced Christianity, biblical understanding is often shallow. A common saying is that "the gospel is a mile wide but only an inch deep." Many village pastors lack formal theological education, and their congregations can be vulnerable to false teaching.
Hope58 bridges this gap by equipping pastors with in-depth biblical knowledge and discipleship skills. Matt Actis works with a small team of Bible teachers who travel to different parts of the district and open Bible schools that read through the New Testament verse by verse. We currently operate twelve Bible schools with two hundred pastors in training.
...who correctly handles the Word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)
Story from the field
A field look at how Hope58 equips village pastors with biblical depth and walks vulnerable girls through life skills.
Watch · 4 min
An overview of the Bible Training program and Girls Skills Center, filmed at the Hope58 campus in Eastern Uganda.
Key benefits
Pastors learn to interpret scripture accurately, fostering spiritual growth in their congregations.
Training equips pastors with the leadership qualities needed to guide their communities effectively.
Equipped pastors strengthen their churches and positively influence the surrounding community.
Pastors receive continuous support, ensuring their spiritual growth and emotional well-being as they serve.
Pastors commit to three to four years of study together, building durable theological depth that short courses cannot match.
Twelve Bible schools mean trained leadership reaches villages across Eastern Uganda, not a single congregation at a time.
What we offer
Hope58 works with village pastors over three to four years, meeting every two weeks for in-depth biblical study. Pastors gain the tools to interpret and teach scripture effectively while growing in their leadership capabilities.
Pastors systematically study the New Testament, chapter by chapter, over three to four years, deepening their understanding of scripture.
Training equips pastors with leadership and pastoral skills to guide their congregations and meet their spiritual needs.
Every pastor is paired with an experienced church leader who offers ongoing spiritual mentorship.
Hands-on training in pastoral counseling, discipleship, and community outreach.
Developed specifically for Uganda, helping students memorize key Bible stories and interpret scripture through storytelling, covering Old and New Testaments.
Pastors learn alongside peers, building a network of leaders who support and challenge one another.
Where we are today
200
Across twelve Bible schools in Eastern Uganda.
12
Each meeting every two weeks for three to four years.
3yr min
Long-term training that builds deep, durable understanding.
How the work happens
Pastors come from the surrounding villages, often serving congregations they helped plant themselves. Many lead Sunday worship, weekday Bible studies, funerals, weddings, and the daily work of pastoral care without the formal theological grounding their congregations need from them. Hope58 walks alongside these pastors over years, not weekends.
Each Bible school meets every two weeks. Sessions move through the New Testament verse by verse, in the original order the books were written, so pastors carry the whole story home with them. Between sessions, pastors take what they have studied back to their own pulpits and small groups. The classroom rhythm and the village rhythm reinforce each other.
Alongside the curriculum, every pastor is paired with an experienced mentor for ongoing pastoral guidance. The storytelling approach (SHIM) gives leaders a way to teach Scripture in their own cultural voice, including with congregants who cannot read. The result, over three to four years, is village pastors equipped to shepherd their churches with depth, patience, and confidence in the Word.
Your gift supports the Bible Training program in the communities where these pastors serve. Hope58 retains full discretion and control over how donated funds are used.
