Gulu leadership

Martin Onen - Operations Manager

Martin is a member of the Acholi tribe, having been born in a village about 30 minutes drive from Gulu. His father, a government worker, had four wives and about 30 children. Martin’s mother was the second wife and he is the first-born among seven.

“My mom was my hero. She taught me so much about life.” His mom was the “anchor” of his life. Therefore, when Martin, (who was 18 and at boarding school at the time), was told of his mom’s unexpected death he was devastated. He entered a period of deep depression that lasted four years. During that time he couldn’t sleep and developed ulcers. One night, desperate and feeling like he had no hope, he cried out to the LORD: “God, help me or I will end this miserable life!” The next night Martin had a dream.

In his dream, Martin was in a very dark place. Suddenly he saw a light and heard a Voice calling his name three times. Then the Voice said, “You are blind but I am going to open your eyes.” When he awoke from this dream Martin felt full of peace and joy. That night, after watching the Jesus Film at his church, Martin asked Jesus to be LORD of his life and he received forgiveness for his sins and healing for his soul. He also received instant healing for the depression and stomach ulcers that had plagued him for so long. Martin told Jesus that he would never serve anybody or anything but Him and he immediately began to tell his school-mates about the LORD.

Over the years God has been faithful to open Martin’s spiritual eyes to the LORD’s sovereignty and will and, as Martin has faithfully followed his LORD, He has provided all Martin needed to continue fulfilling his calling. Martin’s father wanted him to study law or education at university but God had other plans. Although Martin knew that the LORD had called him to train Christian leaders, out of fear of his father he agreed to his wishes. While on the way to fetch his university admission papers, Martin heard an audible voice saying, “For how long, Martin? How long will you disobey Me?” Martin turned his bicycle around and told his father that he was going to go to Bible School. And for seven years of study, God provided for Martin without the help of his father.

After graduate school Martin began teaching in a Bible School in southern Uganda, where he met Carole Vezey. There was an immediate spiritual bonding between Martin, his new wife, Hope, and Carole. They began praying together for the Acholi people and the situation in the north. In 2005, having no idea what it would look like or how the LORD would work it out, Martin, Hope, their 2-year-old son and Carole headed north to war-ravaged Gulu, with a vision of raising up Kingdom leaders among the Acholi people who would bring the Kingdom of God to northern Uganda and the world.

God says in His Word: “The eyes of the LORD move to and fro, throughout the earth, looking for people whose hearts are fully His; so that He may show Himself powerful on their behalf.” (2 Chronicles 16:9) Martin Onen’s life is living proof of the truth of this Word. From the beginning of his walk with Jesus, the LORD has shown Himself powerful. Most recently, He has grown Favor of God Ministries from a prayer gathering in a living room in Kampala to a group of ministries that are having a tremendous impact for the Kingdom in northern Uganda.

When asked for a final word for the readers of this testimony, this humble man of God quietly said, “I have surrendered my life and my family to serve the LORD and to see a new breed of African leaders raised and equipped for God’s Kingdom. Please pray for us.” You can count on it, dear brother.