Bethany House
Our Vision
Emmanuel, right, with pilgrims at Bethany
The vision of Bethany House grows out of Emmanuel Katongole’s life’s journey and ministry as a priest, a Professor of Theology and World Christianity at Duke Divinity School, and as the co-Director of the Duke Center for Reconciliation. Inspired by the stories associated with the village of Bethany in the New Testament, Fr. Katongole saw the need for a ‘place’ in Africa to serve as a hospitality, retreat, pilgrimage and study center as a way to foster and advance a vision of Christian mission and reconciliation characterized by the habits and practices which the biblical stories of Bethany point to. Such practices include:
- Hospitality (Lk. 10.38 - Martha welcomes Jesus into her house).
- Story-telling (Lk. 10.38 - Mary sits at Jesus' feet and listens to him).
- Resurrection (Jn. 11.1-45 - "There was a man named Lazarus...").
- Interruption (Mt 26.6-13 - "A woman came in with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table").
- Mission (Lk. 24.48) - "You are witnesses of these things").
- Baptismal identity (Jn. 1.19-29 – They asked him [John]: ‘Who are you?’…”Why then do you baptize?’
For a full description of the story of Bethany House and its vision see: Stories of Bethany.
We invite you to come and participate in this vision. Please be patient as we include more information to this site. Any questions in the meantime may be sent to: bethanyhouseuganda@gmail.com.
Bethany's Growth in Pictures
