The Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe, has called on students, parents, and teachers to be born again through the Holy Spirit, saying true Christian transformation comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ rather than participation in religious ceremonies alone.
Bishop Asiimwe made the remarks on Saturday while presiding over the confirmation service for 16 students from Makobore High School Kinyasano and 72 students from Immaculate Heart Girls' School Nyakibale at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano in Western Division, Rukungiri Municipality.
In his sermon, the bishop explained that God is Trinitarian and created human beings in His own image.
Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:23, he said every person consists of spirit, soul, and body, explaining that the soul is made up of the will, mind, and emotions, which he likened to a building with a foundation, walls, and a roof.
He further taught that while God the Father and God the Son are in heaven, with Jesus Christ seated at the Father's right hand, the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, empowering them to live a transformed life.
Bishop Asiimwe challenged students and parents to shun all forms of sexual immorality, including pornography, masturbation, and phone sex, warning that such practices hinder spiritual growth and weaken one's relationship with God.
"Unless you're born again, this confirmation will only be a ritual. Receiving confirmation isn't enough; you need Jesus in your life to be truly born again," Bishop Asiimwe said.
He stressed that salvation is a personal decision and cannot be substituted by church rituals or ceremonies.
Quoting renowned evangelist D. L. Moody, Bishop Asiimwe described humanity as "a leaking vessel" that must continually be filled with the Holy Spirit through prayer, repentance, and righteous living.
He explained that sins such as lying, theft, fornication, anger, and other forms of disobedience drain believers spiritually, making daily dependence on God essential for victorious Christian living.
The bishop also emphasized the importance of unity among Christians, noting that believers across different denominations share the same spiritual identity through Jesus Christ.
"We may belong to different denominations, but we have the same spiritual DNA in Christ. We should pray for greater unity within the body of Christ," he said.
He prayed for stronger unity among believers and urged Christians to focus on the Gospel rather than doctrinal divisions.
Following the sermon, more than 20 people, including students and parents, publicly accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour during the altar call.
The confirmation service brought together students, parents, teachers, clergy, and members of the Christian community in a celebration of faith and commitment to Christian discipleship.
