Who we are
REV. STEVE LOCK (D.M.)
“Hi, I’m Steve, one of the directors of Gulu Mission. I am passionate about helping young people make a difference in the lives of people affected by what has gone on in Northern Uganda over the last twenty years.
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I’ve been taking groups of young people to our schools in Gulu, teaching English, painting classrooms, and playing with the children, to building toilets! These young people have come back with a different perspective on the world. Some have gone on to start major fund-raising initiatives for us, others have made return trips."
I’m Helen, I’m married to Steve and we have 4 children. I first visited Uganda in 2001 and have returned many times since. I’m passionate about helping disadvantaged children and their families in Northern Uganda, an area that was devastated by 24 years of civil war, to give children an education and a hope for the future, which each child deserves.
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I also love the opportunity to preach and teach in the villages, and bring the good news of Jesus to those who are desperately seeking Him.
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Taking people out on mission is another passion of mine. Many people of all ages have joined us on our trips, and to see their lives transformed through their commitment, service and enthusiasm in being involved in a variety of ministry areas, stepping out and doing something they thought they’d never get the opportunity to do, is incredible.
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Would you like to join us on mission? You won’t regret it!
HELEN LOCK (D.M.)
AYOO JANETH PHOEBE OBOL
Phoebe is Director of GMI-Uganda, and an ordained Reverend ministering in Soul Gospel Centre Ministries. She is also the District Speaker in Gulu.
As Co-founder of Bethel Christian Schools with Bishop James Ochan, Phoebe has been involved in the charity since 2007 in the areas of health in communities, education, and support to the elderly.
Bishop James is the Bishop of born-again Pentecostal Churches in the Acholi region (overseeing 1243 churches). He is also Overseer and founder of Soul Gospel Centre Ministries and Co-Founder of Bethel Christian Schools, with Mama Phoebe. He has led many Pastors’ conferences, crusades and training in the Acholi region. He is a member of the governing council for Acholi Religious Leaders’ Peace Initiative, an organisation that brings together seven religions in Northern Uganda.
He is also Co-Director of GMI-Uganda, and has been involved in the charity since 2007 in the areas of health in communities, education, and support to the elderly.
BISHOP JAMES OCHAN
FIONA BRIND
‘We should go for a coffee sometime’ were Helen Lock’s words to me one day in autumn 2016. That quickly became ‘You should come to Uganda with us’ and so my journey with Gulu Mission began in July 2017 with my first visit to Gulu. I have returned every year since! With a background in education, my heart has always been first and foremost to see children and young people making a faith commitment to Jesus and to see them whole-heartedly following him, being mentored and discipled along the way, and secondly to see them empowered for life through the benefits of education. G.M.I. is passionate about both of these.
My involvement in Gulu has mainly been with classroom teaching in Gulu Bethel Christian school, encouraging and supporting the incredibly dedicated staff at the school, taking assemblies, running a Holiday Bible Club, visiting families in the community and sharing in the activities in Soul Gospel Centre including Bible teaching and leading Sunday School. It has been fantastic to see the schools develop further with each visit, culminating in the recent completion of the sixth form block and the Vocational Training Centre. These will transform the lives of many young people, bringing them from the despair of the cycle of poverty into hope for future generations.
JOHN HORNSBY
I’m John and have taken on the role of treasurer. I am married to Margaret, and we have two grown-up children. I am the treasurer at Gilgal Baptist Church in Porthcawl, where Steve was the Associate Pastor which is how I got to know him and Helen and learned about the amazing work with which they are involved in Northern Uganda.
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After obtaining a maths degree, I enjoyed a 34 year career with Tata Steel UK Ltd (formerly British Steel), working initially in IT and then in Finance Management. I retired in 2014 and am now filling my time with a variety of charitable work, being also the treasurer of a second charity, namely the Bridgend Foodbank, and chairman of a third, Porthcawl YMCA.
Sue Huntington has joined the G.M.I team as Child Sponsorship Coordinator.
Originally from the North-West, Sue moved to Surrey in 2002 with her husband and children.
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She had a career as an NHS GP for 27 years before retiring in 2018.
After moving to Surrey, Sue and her family became active members of their local Parish
Church. She recently stepped down as the Parish Safeguarding Officer, having served in that role for 8 years.
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Sue first visited Uganda in 2006 and has been involved in several charitable activities in
Africa, working with a children’s centre, healthcare facilities and clean water projects.
Having sponsored several children as a family, Sue has experienced the benefits of child
sponsorship, both to the children and the sponsors.
SUE HUNTINGTON
Tim writes: “I came to faith and proclaimed Jesus as my Lord and Saviour very recently back in 2021. In coming to faith I soon realised just how blessed my life has been thus far and how I should be more like Him in every way.
At around this time I read a quote from C.S. Lewis about giving money (to charity). It read
(in a nutshell) that if you are in any doubt about how much you should give, you should just give in a way that means you know what it is like to still do without.
Soon after this my wife introduced me to Helen and Steve and their project in Uganda. I am big believer, like many, that education is the best way out of poverty. I feel very strongly that in general education is weighted too heavily on academia when vocational subjects may be a better fit and more empowering to some people. When Helen and Steve said they needed help raising funds for the Vocational Centre in Gulu I got very excited ... God's work at hand again ... the timing of us meeting was not an accident.
Since then Clare and I found ourselves wanting to work more closely with Helen, Steve, Phoebe and James, and we were delighted when asked to be Trustees. It feels like we are at the beginning of a wonderful journey and long partnership. God is good. His will be done".
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Clare writes: "I began my career working as an Occupational Therapy with adults in neuro rehabilitation from 1998. Over the next decade or so God kept close, bearing with my mess, mistakes and vulnerabilities until I surrendered my life to Christ in 2011. Since then I have walked with Jesus in my life and He provides huge purpose and joy in all I do. After Tim came to faith in 2021, it coincided with a deep desire for us to support a project where education was the priority with Jesus at the centre. BOOM - Hello GMI, Helen and Steve".
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