Watoto Church announces leadership transition

This was revealed on Friday by the out-going lead pastors Gary and Marylin Skinner while commissioning the new lead pastors at Watoto Church Downtown Kampala.

“Over the past ten years, with the blessing and endorsement of the Watoto Church leadership, we have, very intentionally, been preparing and mentoring our successors,” a message on the Church website by Gary and Marylin Skinner reads.

The out-going lead pastors announced Julius and Vernita Rwotlonyo as the new Church leaders (Pastors) who will be steering the Church for the years to come.

“And, so it is with joy and delight that we announce that Julius and Vernita Rwotlonyo, who have served as Associate Team Leaders for Watoto for the last five years, will succeed us and be commissioned as the new team leaders for Watoto Church Ministries on 3^rd February 2023 at Watoto Church Downtown in Kampala, Uganda,” the message further read.

The Skinners hug the new Church leaders after being commissioned Pulse Live Uganda

Founded in 1984 by Canadian missionaries, Pastor Gary Skinner and his wife, Marylin, the Church has since expanded over the years across the city with Watoto Church Kisaasi, Bweyogerere, Lubowa, Kyengera, Kansanga, Bugolobi and Entebbe.

The Skinners have been at the heart of the Church operations for almost four decades.

The Church has also expanded across Uganda with Watoto Church Bbira in Wakiso District, Watoto Church Suubi in Mpigi District, Watoto Church Gulu and Watoto Church Laminadera in Gulu District and Watoto Church Mbarara in Mbarara City.

The Church has an average congregation of 27,000 people who also meet in smaller cell groups. Each cell comprises about 7 to 10 members who meet at least once a week in members’ homes to share in fellowship.

Watoto occupies its own purpose-built campus in Kampala and earns £13.3m (sh58.2b) a year.