Bethel is small and growing church in Masaka, a city of 74,000 in southern Uganda.  The church is led by Gerald Mbalire and his wife Sylivia. Together they have five children and have adopted three orphaned teenage girls. 

Gerald met Mr. Sanford Sheaks of Westside while both were living in the United Arab Emirates.  Gerald and Sanford were in Bible study together and began a lasting friendship.  Gerald’s vision in the UAE was to earn money to return to Uganda and build up his ministry there. 

God had other things in mind and instead Gerald returned penniless to Uganda because of a massive downturn in the UAE economy. 

God has since used his people and Westside to do even greater things with Bethel Christian Outreach Ministries.  Through the faithful and wise stewardship of funds, Gerald and Sylivia purchased land, erected a sanctuary building and constructed a children’s church building, a pit latrine, and an above-ground cistern. 

All this has occurred since 2018 through wonderful circumstances brought about by the benevolent hand of God.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gerald and Sylivia were able to provide food aid to the poor and continue to disciple the church through small group meetings and house to house ministry. 

Gerald and his friend Pastor Elly Muhumuza together train new pastors and this year graduated 35 pastors despite the restrictions of the pandemic.