Understanding Phaneroo Ministries and why it’s called a Cult

‘Phaneroo,’ is a word derived from a Greek word simply meaning ‘Make Manifest.’ This movement is led by ‘Apostle’ Grace Lubega, a former Banker with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), whose rise to prominence has been quick and visible during these last few years.

Phaneroo has its roots in Afro-Stone fellowship (a fellowship at Makerere University that brought together Christians from the two on campus halls of residence, Africa Hall for the Ladies and Livingstone Hall for the Gents). Its inception as well was at Heart of Christ Ministries International in Mukono, pastored by ‘Bishop’ Isaiah Mbuga.

The spread of Phaneroo is beyond Uganda as they have a school of ministry even in Boston and it targets the young, especially those at college campuses who are enthusiastic at having found something to engage their minds and involve their energies that’s why it’s usually attended by the young generation.

The youth often view the mainline Protestant Churches as ‘cold,’ ‘unengaging’ and ‘outdated,’ unable to provide them with a challenge to ‘grow,’ and as a result these youths either attended churches just for the sake of doing so or because their Parents did. Phaneroo offers something different, something ‘catchy.’ After all, the leader is himself young and energetic and seems to speak their language.

Pastor Mbewe, speaks of the sort of Witch doctor mentality in the charismatic movement, where the Pastor is a cult hero supposedly with a ‘special level of knowledge’ that the congregation doesn’t seem to enjoy.

In the mind of the followers, and encouraged by lack of biblical depth, the ‘deep knowledge’ the Pastor has gives him unquestionable authority over the congregation that is otherwise unbiblical. Lubega’s cult-hero status can readily be ascertained by having a conversation with any of his followers.

As Mbewe Exposits 2 Timothy 3:14-17, his emphasis on the need for every Pastor to ground their preaching and teaching in scripture can never be overstated. As we will see later, the lack of expository preaching is responsible for the mushrooming of these unbiblical movements. You will rarely hear Pastors in Uganda (and in Africa) preach from a text, well explained without neglect for its textual, historical and cultural context. This remains the most significant undoing of the Church in Africa, and thus the unfortunate and unforgettable maxim, ‘the church in Africa is thousands of miles wide, but one inch deep.’