For years, Claudia Apio Okot believed she could serve God — but only from behind the scenes.
A practicing lawyer and the wife of Pastor Okot of Truth Fountain Ministries in Lira City, Claudia had faithfully attended church for more than eight years. She prayed, supported ministry, and served as a good helper. But one thing held her back: fear.
She did not believe she had the confidence or biblical knowledge to stand before people and proclaim God's Word.
When her church first enrolled students for Biblical Training for Church Planters (BTCP), Claudia deliberately chose not to join. She simply could not see herself preaching.
Then everything changed.
The Moment She Couldn't Avoid
During a conference in eastern Uganda, Claudia's husband was invited to participate in a ministry event. The guest preacher became seriously ill and could no longer preach. The host pastor turned to Claudia.
"Would you share the Word?"
Fear immediately took over. Claudia panicked. She sweated. She questioned her knowledge of Scripture and her ability to speak publicly. Instead of preparing to preach, she locked herself in a hotel room and prayed that God would heal the guest preacher so she would not have to face the moment.
But the preacher's condition worsened. Claudia's prayer changed. Instead of asking God to remove the opportunity, she prayed: "God, use me for Your glory."
During her quiet time with God, Claudia received a clear vision of what to share with the church. She stepped out of the hotel room, stood before the congregation, and preached. The message she delivered was remarkably consistent with what the guest preacher had originally planned to share.
She had done it. But Claudia was still unsure. Afterward, she repeatedly asked her husband: "Was the message good? Was it inspiring enough? Did I explain it well?"
Fear had not disappeared overnight — but something greater had begun. She discovered what she was capable of.
Choosing to Be Trained
After the conference, Claudia reflected on what had happened. She had also witnessed how BTCP training had transformed friends who had taken the training before her. She and her husband made a decision: they would enroll in BTCP together.
The training became more than a classroom experience for Claudia. It gave her biblical understanding, practical ministry principles, and — most importantly — the confidence to live out her identity as a disciple of Christ. As she applied what she learned, fear began giving way to boldness.
And her transformation did not stop with her.
One Leader, Reaching Many
Claudia founded the Wives of Christian Leaders Fellowship, a women's empowerment ministry that has now reached women in more than nine districts.
The woman who once believed she should remain behind the scenes is now being invited by international organizations to speak publicly. The woman who once doubted her biblical knowledge is now trusted by her church to lead its legal department. The woman who once feared standing before people is now helping other Christian leaders and their wives grow in confidence and leadership.
Claudia says the BTCP training has helped her understand biblical interpretation, ministry principles, and what it means to represent Christ faithfully.
BTCP did not simply give Claudia information. It helped unlock a leader.
Her transformation has strengthened her church, equipped other women, and created a platform through which her influence is reaching beyond her local congregation.
Her BTCP class has 45 students, representing ministers from different ministries. As their class representative, she has witnessed another transformation taking place: leaders who might otherwise remain separated by denominational or ministry differences are finding common ground around Christ.
What Your Investment Makes Possible
When you invest in the training of pastors and church leaders, you are not simply helping someone complete a course. You are helping release leaders who can influence churches, families, women, communities, and future generations. You are helping move people from fear to boldness, from uncertainty to confidence, and from being spectators to becoming active servants of Christ.
Claudia's story began with a woman who was afraid to preach. Today, she is a lawyer, ministry leader, speaker, mentor, and founder of a growing women's fellowship.
One trained leader is reaching others. And this is only one story. When we invest in leaders, the impact does not stop with the person we train. It multiplies through every life that leader touches.
From Fear to Boldness. From One Leader to Many. From Training to Transformation. From Transformation to Multiplying Impact.
Claudia's story is based on her personal testimony and the transformation she attributes to her BTCP training.