ABIDE - Amagara Bible Institute of Discipleship & Evangelism

ABIDE - Vision and Mission

The purpose of ABIDE is to create a foundation of Christ-centered beliefs, values and skills in the youth of Uganda with the goal to enable students to transform their nation.

VISION: to form students in Christian faith, character and leadership

MISSION: to EQUIP high school graduates in studying and applying God’s Word, MENTOR them in life decisions and SEND them to serve Christ in the Church and their communities.

Jesus Christ's transformational ministry occured in the context of loving relationships. In His last teaching with the disciples Jesus commanded us to ABIDE in Him and love each other as He loved us (John 15). ABIDE models its ministry after Jesus with an intense, house discipleship program. The combination of a large variety of adventure activities, classes, and projects enable spiritual formation, skills development and community service. The holistic cirriculum builds a well rounded student who is lovingly mentored and practically applies what they learn each week in supervised ministry outreach. ABIDE is raising students to be the leaders of a new generation in Uganda that will radically impact their communities with the love of Christ.

"My passion is to see Christ transform students. And I feel that this is the most fulfilling and effective ministry I have ever had: to equip students in Christ for the work of God in all areas of life (Eph 4:16). God is already using the ABIDE graduates to make an impact in Uganda!" Matt Kehn, ABIDE director (right).

Ten Year Plan: The future plan for the ABIDE program is to use the same model of house-based discipleship ministry to train male and female students in multiple locations. Currently the program is open to young men in two house locations. We are gaining momentum and meaningful partnerships to develop a sister program with a female leadership team and ministry house to meet the needs of young ladies by 2013. Our goal by the 10 year landmark is to have 4 opernational ABIDE locations serving both male and female students across Uganda. The outcome will include 8 ABIDE houses, a camp recreation and farm facility, 25 full-time staff, 10 ministry vehicles, 335 graduates and a revolutionary force of skilled Christian leaders. See the table below:

2008: Inagurating ABIDE. A pilot program opened at a rented house in Mbarara with five students, two staff, two interns and a number of short-term visitors. The program successfully ran for 4 months from April through July, graduating all five students. During the off season, ABIDE raised funds for building an ABIDE house at Juna Amagara Ministries and began construction in September.

2009: Launching the full ABIDE program. The first ABIDE house was completed by February to kickoff the second year of ABIDE with a full program. 10 students passed through the full six month course from February through July with three full-time staff, guest lecturers, and mission teams. A graduate of the first year returned to serve as a part of the leadership team. During the program, funds were raised to purchase a 4WD ministry vehicle designated for the ABIDE program. Awareness of the program grew around the country and in the USA from individuals visiting and experiencing ABIDE. It also connected to Africa Inland Mission as a sending agency.

2010: Improving the ABIDE model. The third year of ABIDE began in February with 10 students and two international AIM interns. The staff team continues to remain the same, with another ABIDE graduate assisting the program. On the off season, the goal is to raise funds and build a second ABIDE house in another JAM location (Kabale) to increase the capacity for ministry. An official ABIDE Alumni Association is established to serve the three graduating classes.

2011: Adding to the ABIDE capacity. The fourth year opened the new second ABIDE house in Kabale to serve a total of 18 students with two leadership teams. Four more staff have been added to operate two separate programs. A Toyota 4x4 Pickup truck was purchased as the second ABIDE vehicle. Projected partnership with Trinity International University internship for Christian Ministries credit.

2012: Developing the sister ABIDE. There will again be two full courses in year five, continuing the development of the program. During the year, extensive interviews will be made to select women for a female leadership team to initiate a sister ABIDE in one of the current locations. Futher expansion and construction will provide space for the female students. The year will end with a special 5 year reunion for ABIDE alumni.

2013: Sustaining ABIDE projects. A new era of ABIDE will open with the first sister house on the sixth year. The three units will call for a third ministry vehicle. The program will coordinate both male and female students in all activities throughout the course. There will be at least 30 students. A camp recreation facility and agriculture farm will be seriously pursued. This will demand more staff and futher funding. When realized, it will facilitate the program with many activities, self-sustaining projects and community services which have potential to bring revenue.

2014: Balancing the ABIDE results. On the seventh year, the ministry will run four programs in two houses with both male and female students. During the off season, the third ABIDE house will be constructed in a new location (Kampala/Mbale). More staff will be selected and trained to serve up to 40 or 50 students.

2015: Multiplying the ABIDE harvest. The program will increase to six units in three locations on the eighth year, with the potential to reach over 60 students in one year. The ministry should have a total of 6 vehicles by this time to serve all needs. The camp recreation facility and agriculture farm should be initiated. Staff and futher funding must be confirmed. A high ropes course, climbing wall, zipline, challenge course and rustic housing will serve the program and community with Christian activities. The farm will grow crops and raise animals for production and consumption to sustain the program. Five full-time staff would run the camp and farm facilities.

2016: Mastering the ABIDE vision. Again, six houses would run through the course reaching 60 students. Another location would be selected (Gulu/Kampala) to serve as the next ABIDE construction site. Funds would be raised to build both male and female capacity in order to add two new houses for the following year.

2017: Summiting an ABIDE decade. Running eight homes and tenth year in four locations will expand ABIDE to its highest point - reaching 80 students per year. It will demand eight ministry vehicles and a total of 25 staff. After closing the year's program, there shall be a big celebration for the ten year reunion.

*For more information READ THE ABIDE STRATEGIC PLAN (PDF)

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 Watch Anthony's Testimony Here	ABIDE - Vision and Mission The purpose of ABIDE is to create a foundation of Christ-centered beliefs, values and skills in the youth of Uganda with the goal to enable students to transform their nation. VISION: to form students in Christian faith, character and leadership MISSION: to EQUIP high school graduates in studying and applying God’s Word, MENTOR them in life decisions and SEND them to serve Christ in the Church and their communities. Jesus Christ's transformational ministry occured in the context of loving relationships. In His last teaching with the disciples Jesus commanded us to ABIDE in Him and love each other as He loved us (John 15). ABIDE models its ministry after Jesus with an intense, house discipleship program. The combination of a large variety of adventure activities, classes, and projects enable spiritual formation, skills development and community service. The holistic cirriculum builds a well rounded student who is lovingly mentored and practically applies what they learn each week in supervised ministry outreach. ABIDE is raising students to be the leaders of a new generation in Uganda that will radically impact their communities with the love of Christ. "My passion is to see Christ transform students. And I feel that this is the most fulfilling and effective ministry I have ever had: to equip students in Christ for the work of God in all areas of life (Eph 4:16). God is already using the ABIDE graduates to make an impact in Uganda!" Matt Kehn, ABIDE director (right). Ten Year Plan: The future plan for the ABIDE program is to use the same model of house-based discipleship ministry to train male and female students in multiple locations. Currently the program is open to young men in two house locations. We are gaining momentum and meaningful partnerships to develop a sister program with a female leadership team and ministry house to meet the needs of young ladies by 2013. Our goal by the 10 year landmark is to have 4 opernational ABIDE locations serving both male and female students across Uganda. The outcome will include 8 ABIDE houses, a camp recreation and farm facility, 25 full-time staff, 10 ministry vehicles, 335 graduates and a revolutionary force of skilled Christian leaders. See the table below: 2008: Inagurating ABIDE. A pilot program opened at a rented house in Mbarara with five students, two staff, two interns and a number of short-term visitors. The program successfully ran for 4 months from April through July, graduating all five students. During the off season, ABIDE raised funds for building an ABIDE house at Juna Amagara Ministries and began construction in September. 2009: Launching the full ABIDE program. The first ABIDE house was completed by February to kickoff the second year of ABIDE with a full program. 10 students passed through the full six month course from February through July with three full-time staff, guest lecturers, and mission teams. A graduate of the first year returned to serve as a part of the leadership team. During the program, funds were raised to purchase a 4WD ministry vehicle designated for the ABIDE program. Awareness of the program grew around the country and in the USA from individuals visiting and experiencing ABIDE. It also connected to Africa Inland Mission as a sending agency. 2010: Improving the ABIDE model. The third year of ABIDE began in February with 10 students and two international AIM interns. The staff team continues to remain the same, with another ABIDE graduate assisting the program. On the off season, the goal is to raise funds and build a second ABIDE house in another JAM location (Kabale) to increase the capacity for ministry. An official ABIDE Alumni Association is established to serve the three graduating classes. 2011: Adding to the ABIDE capacity. The fourth year opened the new second ABIDE house in Kabale to serve a total of 18 students with two leadership teams. Four more staff have been added to operate two separate programs. A Toyota 4x4 Pickup truck was purchased as the second ABIDE vehicle. Projected partnership with Trinity International University internship for Christian Ministries credit. 2012: Developing the sister ABIDE. There will again be two full courses in year five, continuing the development of the program. During the year, extensive interviews will be made to select women for a female leadership team to initiate a sister ABIDE in one of the current locations. Futher expansion and construction will provide space for the female students. The year will end with a special 5 year reunion for ABIDE alumni. 2013: Sustaining ABIDE projects. A new era of ABIDE will open with the first sister house on the sixth year. The three units will call for a third ministry vehicle. The program will coordinate both male and female students in all activities throughout the course. There will be at least 30 students. A camp recreation facility and agriculture farm will be seriously pursued. This will demand more staff and futher funding. When realized, it will facilitate the program with many activities, self-sustaining projects and community services which have potential to bring revenue. 2014: Balancing the ABIDE results. On the seventh year, the ministry will run four programs in two houses with both male and female students. During the off season, the third ABIDE house will be constructed in a new location (Kampala/Mbale). More staff will be selected and trained to serve up to 40 or 50 students. 2015: Multiplying the ABIDE harvest. The program will increase to six units in three locations on the eighth year, with the potential to reach over 60 students in one year. The ministry should have a total of 6 vehicles by this time to serve all needs. The camp recreation facility and agriculture farm should be initiated. Staff and futher funding must be confirmed. A high ropes course, climbing wall, zipline, challenge course and rustic housing will serve the program and community with Christian activities. The farm will grow crops and raise animals for production and consumption to sustain the program. Five full-time staff would run the camp and farm facilities. 2016: Mastering the ABIDE vision. Again, six houses would run through the course reaching 60 students. Another location would be selected (Gulu/Kampala) to serve as the next ABIDE construction site. Funds would be raised to build both male and female capacity in order to add two new houses for the following year. 2017: Summiting an ABIDE decade. Running eight homes and tenth year in four locations will expand ABIDE to its highest point - reaching 80 students per year. It will demand eight ministry vehicles and a total of 25 staff. After closing the year's program, there shall be a big celebration for the ten year reunion. *For more information READ THE ABIDE STRATEGIC PLAN (PDF)
the KEHNS serving in Uganda with Juna Amagara Ministries