Sir. Abunerry

A Guide to Effective Leadership Devotion Twenty. July 20, 2025 Scripture: Psalm 46:1-5   In 2016, our town's churches encountered significant challenges when war broke out in the country. Armed groups linked to opposing factions targeted our area, looting, killing, and arresting people illegally. Many people and church leaders fled into exile, leaving churches without key figures. As one of the few remaining church elders (I was then the head of the evangelism and mission department), I consulted with a pastor, who was physically ill, and a deacon on what steps to take since the church could not operate effectively without a pastor. During one of these meetings, the church appointed me to lead, which partly alleviated the crisis it was facing.   Given this new role, we had to trust God to help us navigate the challenges ahead. Knowing our limitations, we trusted God to help us. As leaders, we face different types of crises, but how do we step in to manage, guide, and inspi...

PART 6: The Intervention of the Man of God   That night, Pr. Akera wrestled in spirit with the forces of darkness, his prayers echoing through the village. Strange shooting streaks illuminated the sky, and the village elders watched in awe as lights moved across their heads. Meanwhile, the women chanted softly in their huts, while the children slept peacefully. Akera's intercession prayers grew more fervent, and suddenly, fire engulfed the police station where Wani was held captive.   The night became even more horrific with strange happenings that baffled the villagers. A coffin box shone brightly above the chief's head, visible in Okelu village. Men and women murmured in fear for their lives, unable to understand the unfolding events. Pr. Akera encouraged them to have faith, and soon, voices descended from the sky with temple messages that only he could understand. The voices seemed to empower Akera, and he walked from his hut to the chief's, where the coffin hovered ...

Illustration purpose A Guide to Effective Leadership Devotion Nineteen, July 19, 2025 Matthew 18:15-17   Including the church, every organised group develops conflict among itself. However, the degree of each conflict varies per its cause. It could be a conflict of interest, ideas, behavioural changes, or a leadership position. Initially, conflict started in the Garden of Eden when the first man denied obedience to his Creator, God.   Given this reality, one key principle, among others, is to directly communicate the issue privately with the person(s) to promote trust and confidentiality. In conflict resolution, church leaders should be mindful of confidentiality and privacy, unlike the approach of the world. Jesus continued to teach that where an individual becomes resistant, the leaders should involve a witness or, at worst, take the issue to the church so that any resolutions that the church would agree are deemed necessary. As Matthew 18:19 reminds us, “Whatever you bind...

Part 5: The Call for Spiritual Guidance   When everyone was settled, the village chief stood and asked the gathering for a moment of silence to pay respect to the gods and the deceased child, who seemed to be extraordinary. Hardly had they begun when they heard the gods' voice in the same way they had heard it the previous day, warning the villagers. “Mind you, I don’t want to see any gathering in the next two hours around my sanctuary. I love quietness, and therefore urge you to heed this call, or I will strike the entire village with wrath.” The chief asked the gods, “Your Majesty, Lord of Hosts, we have Wani here at your command. What should we do with him?” The gods replied, “Deal with him mercilessly, but let it be where he stole the dead from.” The gods disappeared. Immediately, everyone looked astonished, but the police officers had warned the villagers about the consequences of taking the law into their own hands. They forcefully arrested and handcuffed Wani. Some village...

To the Commissioner, Magwi County 18 th July 2025 Amplification of the Evacuation of Dinka Balalo Cattle Immediately   First and foremost, the wise normally say, “Let credit be due to the rightful owner.” The people of Magwi County and I are grateful to have learned through Radio Tamazuz about the rejection of cattle settlement in Magwi County. This was in response to the returning Dinka Bor cattle evacuated from Uganda. Building on this development, I would like to recall my previous letter to you on this matter.   On July 11, 2025, I wrote an online letter reminding you about our past suffering under the Dinka Bor Balalo. I would like to quote the last part of the paragraph: “Let us ensure that no cattle settle in any part of Magwi County to avoid further bloodshed. May we heal and coexist with those who are peaceful.” This was a stern request, as you are the chief of the county. Given the gravity of the situation, I am glad that a step has been taken forward in thi...

Poor Vision, Poor Roads A Guide to Effective Leadership Devotion Eighteen. July 18, 2025 Scripture: Proverbs 29:18 (“KJV)—"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."   Devotional Thought: If you met God and He asked you, “What vision do you have for your people? What would be your answer? Every leader should have a vision and purpose for those they lead and work with. The vision should align with the people's needs and God’s purposes. This is to avoid resistance from the people and misleading them. Therefore, it is worthwhile to say that effective leadership requires vision and purpose.   Let us turn to the word of God and see what it says about vision. The Bible states, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Having a clear vision saves people from perishing or helps them to grow because they know where they are going. Having a clear vision also helps people maintain the governing law (mission) that drives the pur...

Part 4. The Gods Interventions   Early that morning, the village men began their search for Wani while the women and Lodu's company headed to the riverside to collect the coffin box, as instructed by the gods the day before. Upon arrival, the gods' fury struck, and they barred the men from approaching the coffin, afflicting them with blindness that lasted the whole day. The women's fear surged as they watched the men turn blind, and they quickly retreated alongside them. The few police officers accompanying them also withdrew, leaving no choice but to return home. However, the parent of the deceased refused to retreat, determined to see the ritual through. Meanwhile, the villagers had arranged to comb through every village and bring Wani to justice. As the search continued, Wani, after two days without food, surrendered to a village woman in the neighbouring village of Okelu. She hid him in a hole she had dug inside her house, which stood in an isolated trench used to pun...