U4U: Years in the Making
Jen Coleman, Roy Ferguson, Greg Smith, and Julie Wiseman co-founded United for Uganda (U4U) in 2022. However, that is not when we started! Looking back, we see how the Lord has been preparing us for this launch for many years. His leading, His provision, and His connecting us as leaders marked the way to where we are today. Now, we have combined forces to support His work in Uganda. We are a UNITED group ready to ask the Lord, "What would You have us do next?"
The Lord Called Us Individually
Between 2006 and 2015, each of us initially traveled to Uganda on church-led mission trips. Some of us leaned into our first trips with eager enthusiasm; others resisted God's call, needing far more persuasion. Some of our stories include connections to Uganda that span over a decade prior to us ever visiting, while others learned of His amazing work there only a few weeks before climbing aboard that long flight to Entebbe International Airport, Uganda. While the idea of something like U4U would not come to our minds for several more years, our connection to each other and the people of Uganda runs deep.
The Lord Led Us to One Another
In 2018, after hearing of each other through our common relationships with friends in Uganda, we finally were able to meet one another on overlapping mission trips. Found within these divine connections, we recognized an old African proverb proving itself true right before our eyes:
"If you want to run fast, run alone;
if you want to run far, run together!"
Although four more years passed before we incorporated as U4U, God was already knitting us together — uniting us through one conversation at a time. We began gathering each month or so on screens around the world, seeking ways to “run together.” In these moments, we found opportunities to support and encourage missionaries, church members, and projects in Uganda. We slowly became committed partners in the development of the Church of God, East Africa (Uganda). We became a prayer support group for Tim and Colleen Stevenson and Kaitlin Smith, missionaries working in Uganda. Prayer remains a focal point of our ministry as we consider it a privilege to pray for healing, resources, and any other needs shared with us.
"We all went back- year after year- trip after trip.
The work being done there became part of us,
even when we were not there.
We were each UNITED with Uganda."
U4U is Born
As more joined our monthly calls, the opportunities for synergy increased such that projects and needs became more than the informal group could accomplish on its own. We realized it was time to officially UNITE for Uganda!
We gave United for Uganda (U4U) its formal name in the fall of 2022. However, its mission was already alive and well within the hearts of the supporting churches and individuals. Early in 2023, we became a formal organization, acquiring our tax exempt 501 c3 status with the United States Government as a recognized nonprofit organization.
It's Time to Take Action
Make no mistake! Uganda is not a "third world country." It is a rising star! The people there care deeply and immediately forge a bond with others through their loving nature and deep appreciation. They know we are there to help, and they desire to partner with us to solve problems and create opportunities. The people of Uganda want what we all want - a better way of life with all the opportunities that come from the adventure we have in Christ.
While our focus is to take care of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the missionaries we support and the people they serve, there is much to learn from our Ugandan partners. These members of our forever family know how to thrive in community and have mastered the relationship-oriented lifestyle that western Christians long to create.
Looking Forward…
So, what does it mean to answer God’s call on U4U? We’ll support TAPP clients by offering their handmade items to raise funds and support. For the teens and young adults who have aged out of the excellent child sponsorship programs available in Uganda, we will develop the support they need for high quality vocational training, providing them a helpful step forward toward self-sufficiency and provision for themselves and their families. For our leaders current and future, we will encourage and equip our missionaries while we work to raise up the next generation of Ugandan leaders and pastors, equipping them for service and ordination.
What can you do?
Join us!
"Jesus replied, '"You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: "Love your neighbor as yourself." The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.'"
Matthew 22:37-40
Meet the Team
Our U4U team is committed to
advocating, mobilizing, equipping and nuturing people for Christ.
President
Greg Smith
"To make the impact we're being called to, we must formalize."
Greg is a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, leader, and leader-developer. He began his career at Hewlett-Packard as a developer, consultant, and support/marketing manager before running two businesses. It was then that Greg received the call into full-time ministry. After 6 years as an Executive Pastor, he was called to lead a congregation in Northeast Ohio. In 2022, he co-founded United for Uganda. After resisting the opportunity to serve in Uganda, Greg went there in 2009 with his church as a team member, putting roofs on two church buildings. Since then, Greg has returned each year (except 2020) to help construct several churches, schools, wells, and clinics. However, the best part of these trips are the relationships that have been developed, including with many leaders. U4U began informally as a group of leaders who gathered together each month, seeking ways to work together to develop the Church of God, East Africa (Uganda). Greg looks forward to developing more leaders who will in turn develop more leaders in Uganda and throughout East Africa.
Board Member
Wendy Weeks
"A small effort on your part can open the opportunity for someone to dream."
Wendy, a lifelong resident of Racine, WI, has been married to her husband since her 21st birthday and is currently “Mama” to two miniature Australian Shepherds. In addition to a 30+ year career with a global consumer packaged goods company, she has served in her local Church of God congregation as a ministry council member, youth leader, and drama ministry director. When retired missionaries Sidney and Jean Johnson came to Racine in 1995 to spread the word about Children of Promise, a recently formed child sponsorship organization, Wendy and her husband were moved to sponsor a 5-year-old Ugandan boy named Daniel. As they exchanged letters and photos over the next several years, their relationship flourished and, when offered the opportunity to visit him in February 2006, the couple jumped at the chance to meet the boy who had become like a son to them. That joyful meeting, plus newly formed relationships with missionaries Tim and Colleen Stevenson and local sponsorship staff, had a life-changing impact on Wendy – and through these experiences God instilled in her a desire for more intentional participation in Kingdom-building within Uganda. Wendy travels to Uganda every year or two with small groups focused on relief distribution, development support, and relationship-building involving sponsored kids and Church of God schools.
Secretary
Julie Wiseman
"You can't go there and not fall in love with the people!"
Julie is originally from Dayton, Ohio, and graduated from a Christian college in Illinois. She was ordained in 2000 and is currently the Associate Pastor of Administration and Worship at Eagle Ridge Church of God in Midland, MI. Julie shares frequently that her children and grandchildren give her a LOT of joy and sunshine. Her favorite past-time is spending time with them and of course, playing the piano. She loves to give young people in her church the opportunity to develop the gifts that God has given them. Presently, she is the chairperson of the Midland Regional Human Trafficking Task Force. The Task Force works with many in their city, and on the state level, who are working to assist victims and hold traffickers accountable for these crimes. Additionally, she has the honor to work with our missionaries to Uganda, Tim and Colleen Stevenson for the TAPP, Tumaini (HOPE) AIDS Prevention Program. This program provides training, home based care, income generating projects, education and social support to Ugandan communities.
Treasurer
Jen Coleman
"Life is HARD, but God is at work!"
Jen was born in New York, but grew up in Michigan. She and her husband, Rod, are both Naval Academy graduates. Jen has a degree in Oceanography and worked as a Supply Corp Officer. Rod was a Radar Intercept Officer in the F-14. After traveling the world with the Navy, the Colemans lived in Indiana for a few years before returning to Michigan in 2007. They attend Eagle Ridge Church of God in Midland. In 2014 Eagle Ridge was invited to take a team to Uganda after supporting missionaries, Tim and Colleen Stevenson, for several years. Jen felt the call to go on the trip despite her children still being very young. After her first mission trip to Uganda in 2015, she found she has a heart for missions and the people of Uganda, specifically the children. Rod and Jen sponsor three girls in Uganda and Jen has been able to meet all of them, seeing first hand how sponsorship changes lives not only for the child, but the family as well. So far she has helped an additional 20 children gain sponsorship and is excited to help launch a vocational sponsorship program. Subsequent trips in 2019 (with East Canton Church of God), 2022 and 2023 have solidified her desire to continue to foster godly relationships and help where and when she can. On her first trip, Colleen Stevenson told Jen, "with awareness comes responsibility." Jen's trips to Uganda have made her very aware of God's calling to help those in need. They’re the proud parents to 3 successful children, Max - 1st LT, USA, Alex- 2nd LT, USMC and Ellie - Duke '25. In addition to being the Treasurer with U4U, Jen is also the Treasurer for her Naval Academy class, and a USNA Blue and Gold Officer.
Vice President
Roy Ferguson
"Every time, I come back feeling richer."
Roy is a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and discipler. After being called to vocational ministry as a teenager, he served for 3 years as a Youth Pastor at Tanner Street Church of God in Sikeston, Missouri. He was then called to lead Busti Church of God in Jamestown, NY., where he has served for 28 years. In 2022, he co-founded United for Uganda. After many years of being coaxed by Tim and Colleen Stevenson, missionaries in Uganda, he finally went there in 2010. Since then he has led or participated in 6 trips to Uganda, built a school, conducted leadership training, and served in optical clinics. The hallmark of his visits to Uganda has been the richness of the relationships with which he continues to be blessed.
Our Team
Ministry Partners
Join Us!
Church of God of East Africa (Uganda) The Great Commission Foundation Canada The Foundation and partner in Germany: "Kinderhilfswerk Global Care" FARA (Furaha Africa Relief Association) in Canada
To our Ministry Partners,
We thank you!
"For we are both God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building. Because of God's grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have - Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
The Power of Unity
We remain convinced that God has called us to serve in Uganda, East Africa. He has led us this far and He will continue leading as we put our trust in Him. This is the power that comes from unity: united with Christ and each other! We are a community of North American Churches and individual Christ-followers looking to invest in the Church of God, East Africa (Uganda) — a community open for others to enter in...
Join us!