The Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe, has called upon Christians to make good use of every opportunity God gives them, especially the opportunity of salvation, before it is too late.
He made the remarks at the consecration and christening service of St. James Rwobusisi Church of Uganda in Rwobusisi Parish.
Preaching from Luke 19:1–10, the account of Zacchaeus, Bishop Asiimwe described Zacchaeus as a wealthy chief tax collector in Jericho who had acquired a bad reputation through dishonesty and exploitation of others.
Despite his status and wealth, Zacchaeus had a deep desire to see Jesus when he heard that He was passing through Jericho.
He noted that because of his short stature and the large crowd surrounding Jesus, Zacchaeus could not see Him.
Determined not to miss the opportunity, he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree where Jesus would pass.
"Jesus was a crowd-puller wherever He went. Zacchaeus refused to allow obstacles to stop him from seeing Jesus. He positioned himself strategically because he desired an encounter with Christ," he said.
Bishop Asiimwe observed that sin diminishes human dignity and pulls people down.
"Perhaps Zacchaeus was not only physically short but also spiritually short because of sin. Sin degrades, dehumanizes, and destroys people. When a thief steals, they do not walk confidently with their heads high. Sin brings people down," he said, further challenging Christians to repent and abandon sinful practices such as corruption, theft, adultery, and dishonesty.
"Corruption has become a chain that has entered almost every sphere of life, including families. We must reject corruption and every form of evil if we are to experience God's blessings," he said.
Bishop Asiimwe further encouraged Christians with the assurance that Jesus knows each person personally.
"Jesus knew Zacchaeus by name. Do not be worried; Jesus knows you by name. You may not be known by your President, your Member of Parliament, or other influential people, but Jesus knows you personally," he said.
Using this example, Bishop Asiimwe urged Christians to respect one another by addressing people by their names rather than identifying them by tribe, clan, or other labels.
"It is important to recognize people as individuals created in the image of God. Let us address people by their names and treat them with dignity," he said.
Bishop Asiimwe also challenged believers to examine the "trees" they are climbing in their lives. Referring to Zacchaeus' sycamore tree, he said many people today are climbing trees of hatred, unforgiveness, witchcraft, sorcery, murder, fornication, adultery, and other sinful behaviors.
"I do not know which tree you are climbing today, but Jesus is calling you by name to come down. Some people think they are hiding their sins from others, yet God sees everything. We have a God whose eyes see all things," he said.
Speaking about the reaction of the crowd when Jesus chose to dine with Zacchaeus, Bishop Asiimwe noted that many people judged Zacchaeus because of his past, but Jesus came specifically to seek and save the lost.
"People grumbled because Jesus entered the house of a sinner. But that is the mission of Christ. He came to seek and save those who are lost. Jesus entered a house built with stolen wealth and sat on furniture bought with stolen money because He wanted to transform a lost soul," he said.
Bishop Asiimwe pointed out that Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus resulted in genuine repentance and transformation, demonstrated by his willingness to give half of his possessions to the poor and restore what he had wrongfully taken.
"Salvation changes a person. When Christ enters your life, He gives you peace, contentment, and a new direction. There comes a time when one must say, 'Enough is enough.' Enough of alcoholism, smoking, fornication, stealing, and every other sinful practice," he said.
Sharing a personal testimony, Bishop Asiimwe recalled a time when he attempted to stop drinking alcohol through his own determination after finding himself at home without remembering how he had arrived there.
"I made a commitment never to take alcohol again, but after two weeks I broke that commitment because I was relying on my own strength. Victory over sin cannot be achieved through human effort alone. We need the power that comes from the cross of Jesus Christ, where His love was demonstrated for all humanity," he said.
"Utilize the opportunity you have now. Jesus never returned to Jericho. The Gospel has been preached to you today. Do not return home without receiving Christ as your Lord and Savior.”
At the end of the service, more than 100 people reportedly gave their lives to Christ.
In the Senior Warden's report, it was noted that St. James Rwobusisi Church of Uganda was established in 1946 through the ministry of Rev. Canon Semu Ndimbirwe.
The church was founded after two men who regularly travelled long distances to worship at Kashozi Church of Uganda requested a place of worship closer to their community.
Speaking on behalf of the Christians, the Head of Laity, Mauda Turyakyira, thanked God for enabling the Bishop to visit and consecrate the church. She also appreciated Christians for their overwhelming attendance and commitment to the growth of the church.
Turyakyira paid tribute to the lay readers who have faithfully served over the years and recognized the families of the late Rukomangana and Kamutera for generously offering land on which the church was established.
She cited several achievements since the church's inception, including the continued preaching of the Gospel, the salvation of many believers, and the construction and completion of parish staff quarters.
However, she noted several challenges still facing the church, including the lack of a Sunday School chapel and the absence of a land title.
Turyakyira expressed hope that the church would acquire additional land, establish coffee-growing projects for income generation, and construct a permanent Sunday School chapel.
The Lay Reader of St. James Rwobusisi Church of Uganda, Prudence Ndyamuhakyi, thanked God for allowing her to witness the historic consecration of the church during her time of service.
She pledged to continue preaching the Gospel, visiting the sick, winning souls for Christ, and promoting unity among Christians.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Development, Robert Mugabe, proprietor of Mugabe General Hardware, thanked Bishop Asiimwe for consecrating the church and commended Christians for their spirit of unity and teamwork.
He encouraged believers to continue working together to strengthen the church through income-generating projects such as coffee growing, construction of a Sunday School chapel, and other development initiatives that will support the ministry and future growth of the church.