Strategies for Faith Engagement Within One's Career: The Role of Uganda Christian University in Preparing Students for Postgraduation Life

Abstract

This article examines the role of Uganda Christian University (UCU) in devising strategies for the sustenance of Christian faith in one's career for the betterment of the society despite its social ills. The current theme of UCU is “A Complete Education for a Complete Person.” As a Christian university, UCU seeks to provide a positive educational experience and a strong biblical foundation for all that God will call upon its graduates to do in the years that follow. A biblical worldview should see God as the source of truth in all academic disciplines; after all, God not only made all things but he knows them intimately. Given the hostile and challenging social, political, and economic environment of Africa, and Uganda in particular, how can one keep Christian faith in his or her career? How can one remain “salt and light” of such a society? Being a Christian is no longer popular in Uganda and an alarming number of young Christians are walking away from their faith by the time they finish their university years. Mere academic knowledge should not be the sole aim of education, but rather the Christian character in one's life during education and, later on, in his or her career.

Notes

LIFE Ministry Uganda (LMU) is a Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI), now called Cru. It is an international, nondenominational Christian organization that is committed to helping fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, as stated in Matthew 28:18–20, in partnership with the body of Christ. CCCI was founded in 1951 by the late Dr. Bill Bright and his wife Vonette. Their initial vision was to reach university students. They started their work on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA. Their slogan was, “Win the campus today, and win the world tomorrow.” LIFE Ministry Uganda began in Uganda in 1971.

The Navigators is a worldwide Christian parachurch organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its purpose is the discipling (training) of Christians with a particular emphasis on enabling them to share their faith with others. The Navigators works alongside local churches by providing resources such as Bible study booklets and study aid materials, Scripture memory aids, and Christian-oriented books. They work in 103 countries.