Pastor Rwotlonyo takes over Watoto Church
By Drone writer
Pastor Rwotionyo has officially taken over as the new spiritual leader of watoto church ministries.
The ceremony to welcome him as Pastor Gary Skinner’s replacement was On Friday, 3rd, February, 2023 at watoto church ministry headquarters in Kampala
Gary skinner stepped down and retired after 39 years in active service as pastor and overall manager of the ministry
Ina statement, Gary Skinner thanked the ministry members for standing with him in building the service and asked them to continue doing so under Pastor Julius Rwotionyo
Rwotlonyo was the Associate Team Leader at Watoto Church Ministries whose role was to give spiritual and leadership oversight of the strategic implementation of the church vision.
He firmly believes that the local church is the hope of the world.
“As a church, we need be relevant to the needs of community. Over and above celebrating Jesus, we must pay attention to the things that break His heart. We must care for our community by getting involved in it,” he observes
He is happily married to Vernita Rwotlonyo and together they have four lovely children – Hayil, Hank, Hannela and Halyn.
Vernita serves alongside Pastor Julius and also oversees Watoto Neighbourhood – an initiative that empowers vulnerable women, restoring them to a life of dignity so they’re able to look after themselves and their children.
The program’s preventative arm – Keep a Girl in School – comes alongside local schools in Uganda and South Sudan to reduce the dropout rate, teaching girls their value in Christ, igniting their passion for education and empower them for the future.
The ministry was established in 1984 by Gary and Marylin Skinner.
It is now, on average, a 27000-strong congregation with 30 weekend celebration services in Kampala and Gulu, Uganda; and Juba, South Sudan.
Watoto Church has a leadership structure, with the Church Council at its apex.
The council is responsible for strategic policy decisions as well as the management and smooth running of the church. It is made up of the Pastoral Team, the Elders’ Team and the Deacons’ Team.
The deacons’ team is responsible for the physical needs of the church while the elders’ team is responsible for governing the direction of the church, guarding its doctrines, and together with the pastoral team, provide direction and authority within the church, encouraging and empowering members of the congregation to do what God has given them the ability to do.