Patrick Lutalo
Patrick Lutalo
Serving in: Uganda - Namukozi - Mityana Diocese
SAMS Role: Missionary Bridger
Home Church: Christ Episcopal Church, Denver, Colorado
Starting Year with SAMS: 2019
Calling to Ministry: Patrick Lutalo is from Uganda. Patrick is called to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission by spiritually mentoring young people as they learn construction skills. He moved to the United States for higher education and began a career in the construction industry. As he reflected on the poverty and hopelessness of many youth in Uganda, God inspired him to share his skills in his home country in the context of Christian discipleship.
"Several years ago a number young people experienced the pressure of poverty after dropping out school due to lack of tuition in their teens. They were migrating from the rural areas to urban areas in search for survival, with no skills at all. The majority of them, like prodigal son in the Bible, ended up making wrong choices, especially the young girls. My heart felt for them because it was a struggle for me growing up, missing school for extended periods of time.
“So for my opportunity to be in the USA, I started searching my soul for God's purpose in me. I realized it was not only to give my family a better life but to help those in my home country. I could especially help the youth, to whom I pass on my construction skills. I wish to see them work hard, earn a decent living. At the same time, the ministry nurtures them with spiritual values to expand God's kingdom."
With the support of his church family in Colorado, of which he has been a part since 1993, Patrick started the non-profit Teach Men to Fish. The program focuses on spiritual growth of young people to bless their community with hard work. As he equips young people to live a responsible life, he exhorts them to share with others instead of accumulating wealth. He does not want them to miss out on understanding the inheritance of the kingdom of God. Patrick points them to the story of the rich young man who asked the Lord Jesus what he could do to enter the kingdom.
Patrick travels to Uganda for three months annually. He is husband to Miriam and father to Edith, Jennifer, Abigail, and Isaac.
Mission: To teach young people to become independent, productive members of their community, based on biblical principles. To teach youth to share in love and compassion with the least fortunate, as part of expanding and building God’s Kingdom.
Personal Points of Interest: “Based on my personal background, my main hobby is always about finding ways to help and try to comfort those who are hurting. I enjoy my family anytime I am home to cook meals. I enjoy vegetable gardening in the backyard and tending to flowers in the front yard every year.”
Favorite Bible Passage: Matthew 5
