ABIDE - Testimonials

ABIDE - Testimonies from Students and Friends

2011 Alumni

ALEX: "ABIDE has been a good ground in the maturity of my Christian faith and has totally improved my knowledge about Jesus Christ and in the practical application of the Word of God."

DENIS: "God has transformed me personally by changing my own plans and made me fit into His plans and His will through praying, studying His word and fasting."

LABAN: "I encourage ABIDE to keep the Spirit of God burning in it for His glory. I also appreciate the staff for sacrificing their time to shape me and soften my heart which was hard."

BRUCE: "The missions have helped me learn that when the Truth of Christ is proclaimed vividly many souls are ready to receive it."

TOPHER: "I thank Matt and your team for the good vision in [faith], leadership and character. If it can help me and train me, imagine the way I came, it can help everyone!"

ISAAC: "Truth beyond doubt, ABIDE has been the real training ground for my total transformation not gradually but at higher rates."

PRESTON: "I have seen God giving confidence to speak His Word, has taught me to humble myself and to bear and depend on one another as brothers. My relationship with God has grown through the Veritas class where I have been able to undersand the Bible."

AINE: "Pray that ABIDE will blossom with many fruits over the next years. It's a good vision and perhaps one day I will start one which is alike."

Friends and Visitors

LEE, US JAM Board Member: "I don't think I ever told you about my time with Obadiah (2008 student) in January. We followed your footsteps to his village as you know, but I had not heard his whole story. I did not know he was scorned in his village and essentially ran away to his grandmother in Kabale. I did not know he had made a vow to never return to Kibaale. But I was moved mightily when he told me it was ABIDE that completely changed his heart, that it was when he was in the program that God told him to go back to his people. For Obadiah, ABIDE was completely transforming. Now, to see him with his people, guiding them into enterprises with mutual respect all around and the whole place excited about God's plan for them is something to see. I cannot imagine how Uganda will change if ABIDE touches other young men the same way it touched Obadiah. Keep going, you are doing a great thing."

BILL, Colorado Guest Speaker: "I am awed by the objectives and results of ABIDE. The prospect of preparing and equipping young believers to be the future leaders in society is a tremendous task; one which Matt Kehn is fully capable and enthusiastic about. I was fully impressed by the ABIDE participants' desire to make a significant impact in their communities." (pictured right)

JESSE, Kenya Guest Lecturer: "A major need in modern Africa is for transformational servant leaders, who live a lifestyle of faith in God’s world, with which they would also be well familiar. I have been privileged to become part of ABIDE’s growing staff of visiting lecturers, and to also grow in my own appreciation of the increasingly African character of the next Christendom. Matt and Crystal are doing much with little, and pouring out their lives in ways no different from their forerunners on the African continent. Their students are no different from the twelve simple-minded men who would turn the world upside down 2,000 years ago. They, and other lecturers, understand the primacy of holistic faith commitment as the hallmark of true discipleship that should help ABIDE alumni transform Africa’s many sphere of influence."

MATTHEW, Colorado Intern: "ABIDE is an amazing program to be a part of. As a missionary and volunteer with Matthew and ABIDE, my relationship with Christ grew so much. But more importantly than my experience, it is an important program to provide to young Ugandan men. It not only teaches these young men to follow Christ, but also forms them into mature, loving, Godly men through Bible-based leadership classes and experience. ABIDE brings together God's calling to us to not only know Him in our personal lives (through faith), but to also share Jesus with the lost through our resources and God-given abilities and gifts (works). God has called each and every one of us to Him, and ABIDE is giving Ugandan men a practical way to not only follow Christ but to lead others to Him as well. I believe that God is continuing to do great things through ABIDE. He used it in my life and I watched as He used it to do amazing things in the lives of others. I am truly thankful for the experience, and I will always cherish my memories. I am excited to return one day and continue watching God use it to grow and mature His kingdom. But even if we are not there to see it for ourselves, I know that God is using ABIDE to do extraordinary things in Uganda.

2009 Alumni

EDSON: "ABIDE is the best program ever I have seen and experienced in my life as far as discipleship is concerned."

JONAS: "One special thing God has taught me during this time was to seek Him and have a relationship with Him and to worship Him by loving one another."

NICHOLAS: "My character has developed in such a way that I know in order for you to grow in faith you need one another. ABIDE has become a turning point in my life."

MEDARD: "ABIDE is an institution that a [student] should not miss. It is the point where a youth's vision can be shaped to influence the community he lives in.

God has transformed me morally, spiritually and physically. My heart is confident that I am able and my vision has been widened through ABIDE."

ISAAC: "I have seen myself acquire more knowledge and skills in the Bible, good character, English, discovering my spiritual gifts, and leadership. And up to now, I still want to remain in ABIDE for the rest of my life."

JONATHAN: "ABIDE is one of the best, if not the best thing that has happened to me in my life. I am a more confident and determined follower and servant of Jesus." (pictured right)

2008 Alumni

AMOS: “I experienced new and wonderful things, for example Bible study, leadership skills, business studies, computer which I never expected. I feel I am not as I came; I am a new creature. I have been able to know how to read, teach, and preach using the Bible and also to exploit and reveal my spiritual gifts as a singer.”

SAMSON: “My prayer life, giving and fasting have increased my relationship with God. I have found [ABIDE] was the most helpful time I have ever experienced. One of the things I have gained most is the spirit of servanthood in leadership.” (pictured left)

OBADIAH: “My ways of doing things have totally changed because today I normally think before I act whether something is good or bad and I remember scripture. I will evangelize and disciple first by loving them and showing them what it means by loving others through the example of my life.”

PATRICK: “I have been able to know God in an advanced way and my love for Him has increased. This helped me to always be organized and also plan for a program as a leader and above all to pray for God’s will and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

MEDAD: “Through ABIDE, God has shaped me by restoring my hopes, teaching me how to pray, preach and love. Yes, I feel equipped and ready to serve Christ in the world by carrying out discipleship and evangelism.”

ABIDE Vision & Mission Our purpose and plan of ministry Ministry Updates Keeping you in the vine with the latest news Testimonials Personal stories of transformation Staff & Students Biographies, graduates and the Leadership team Serve & Invest Partner with the ABIDE program	ABIDE - Testimonies from Students and Friends 2011 Alumni ALEX: "ABIDE has been a good ground in the maturity of my Christian faith and has totally improved my knowledge about Jesus Christ and in the practical application of the Word of God." DENIS: "God has transformed me personally by changing my own plans and made me fit into His plans and His will through praying, studying His word and fasting." LABAN: "I encourage ABIDE to keep the Spirit of God burning in it for His glory. I also appreciate the staff for sacrificing their time to shape me and soften my heart which was hard." BRUCE: "The missions have helped me learn that when the Truth of Christ is proclaimed vividly many souls are ready to receive it." TOPHER: "I thank Matt and your team for the good vision in [faith], leadership and character. If it can help me and train me, imagine the way I came, it can help everyone!" ISAAC: "Truth beyond doubt, ABIDE has been the real training ground for my total transformation not gradually but at higher rates." PRESTON: "I have seen God giving confidence to speak His Word, has taught me to humble myself and to bear and depend on one another as brothers. My relationship with God has grown through the Veritas class where I have been able to undersand the Bible." AINE: "Pray that ABIDE will blossom with many fruits over the next years. It's a good vision and perhaps one day I will start one which is alike." Friends and Visitors LEE, US JAM Board Member: "I don't think I ever told you about my time with Obadiah (2008 student) in January. We followed your footsteps to his village as you know, but I had not heard his whole story. I did not know he was scorned in his village and essentially ran away to his grandmother in Kabale. I did not know he had made a vow to never return to Kibaale. But I was moved mightily when he told me it was ABIDE that completely changed his heart, that it was when he was in the program that God told him to go back to his people. For Obadiah, ABIDE was completely transforming. Now, to see him with his people, guiding them into enterprises with mutual respect all around and the whole place excited about God's plan for them is something to see. I cannot imagine how Uganda will change if ABIDE touches other young men the same way it touched Obadiah. Keep going, you are doing a great thing." BILL, Colorado Guest Speaker: "I am awed by the objectives and results of ABIDE. The prospect of preparing and equipping young believers to be the future leaders in society is a tremendous task; one which Matt Kehn is fully capable and enthusiastic about. I was fully impressed by the ABIDE participants' desire to make a significant impact in their communities." (pictured right) JESSE, Kenya Guest Lecturer: "A major need in modern Africa is for transformational servant leaders, who live a lifestyle of faith in God’s world, with which they would also be well familiar. I have been privileged to become part of ABIDE’s growing staff of visiting lecturers, and to also grow in my own appreciation of the increasingly African character of the next Christendom. Matt and Crystal are doing much with little, and pouring out their lives in ways no different from their forerunners on the African continent. Their students are no different from the twelve simple-minded men who would turn the world upside down 2,000 years ago. They, and other lecturers, understand the primacy of holistic faith commitment as the hallmark of true discipleship that should help ABIDE alumni transform Africa’s many sphere of influence." MATTHEW, Colorado Intern: "ABIDE is an amazing program to be a part of. As a missionary and volunteer with Matthew and ABIDE, my relationship with Christ grew so much. But more importantly than my experience, it is an important program to provide to young Ugandan men. It not only teaches these young men to follow Christ, but also forms them into mature, loving, Godly men through Bible-based leadership classes and experience. ABIDE brings together God's calling to us to not only know Him in our personal lives (through faith), but to also share Jesus with the lost through our resources and God-given abilities and gifts (works). God has called each and every one of us to Him, and ABIDE is giving Ugandan men a practical way to not only follow Christ but to lead others to Him as well. I believe that God is continuing to do great things through ABIDE. He used it in my life and I watched as He used it to do amazing things in the lives of others. I am truly thankful for the experience, and I will always cherish my memories. I am excited to return one day and continue watching God use it to grow and mature His kingdom. But even if we are not there to see it for ourselves, I know that God is using ABIDE to do extraordinary things in Uganda. 2009 Alumni EDSON: "ABIDE is the best program ever I have seen and experienced in my life as far as discipleship is concerned." JONAS: "One special thing God has taught me during this time was to seek Him and have a relationship with Him and to worship Him by loving one another." NICHOLAS: "My character has developed in such a way that I know in order for you to grow in faith you need one another. ABIDE has become a turning point in my life." MEDARD: "ABIDE is an institution that a [student] should not miss. It is the point where a youth's vision can be shaped to influence the community he lives in. God has transformed me morally, spiritually and physically. My heart is confident that I am able and my vision has been widened through ABIDE." ISAAC: "I have seen myself acquire more knowledge and skills in the Bible, good character, English, discovering my spiritual gifts, and leadership. And up to now, I still want to remain in ABIDE for the rest of my life." JONATHAN: "ABIDE is one of the best, if not the best thing that has happened to me in my life. I am a more confident and determined follower and servant of Jesus." (pictured right) 2008 Alumni AMOS: “I experienced new and wonderful things, for example Bible study, leadership skills, business studies, computer which I never expected. I feel I am not as I came; I am a new creature. I have been able to know how to read, teach, and preach using the Bible and also to exploit and reveal my spiritual gifts as a singer.” SAMSON: “My prayer life, giving and fasting have increased my relationship with God. I have found [ABIDE] was the most helpful time I have ever experienced. One of the things I have gained most is the spirit of servanthood in leadership.” (pictured left) OBADIAH: “My ways of doing things have totally changed because today I normally think before I act whether something is good or bad and I remember scripture. I will evangelize and disciple first by loving them and showing them what it means by loving others through the example of my life.” PATRICK: “I have been able to know God in an advanced way and my love for Him has increased. This helped me to always be organized and also plan for a program as a leader and above all to pray for God’s will and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” MEDAD: “Through ABIDE, God has shaped me by restoring my hopes, teaching me how to pray, preach and love. Yes, I feel equipped and ready to serve Christ in the world by carrying out discipleship and evangelism.”
the KEHNS serving in Uganda with Juna Amagara Ministries