Pader pastors call for greater support for widows often overlooked in church programmes

24 August 2026, 8:26 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

Pastors in Pader District are calling for greater attention and support for widows, saying the group is often overlooked when churches organise conferences and other programmes.

The call comes as Community Church in Pader Town Council prepares to host a three-day conference focusing on different groups in the community, including widows, single mothers, married couples, youth and wives of pastors and other church leaders.

Pastor David Ocira of Community Church says participants are expected to arrive today, ahead of the official opening of the conference tomorrow.

Ocira says widows have been deliberately included in the programme because church conferences often focus on married people, singles and church leaders while leaving widows behind.

He says the conference will provide widows with guidance on how to navigate life after losing their spouses and cope with the challenges they face.

Ocira says the conference is not limited to spiritual matters, but will also address social and practical aspects of life to help participants improve their wellbeing.

He says single mothers will similarly be guided on how to navigate social life, business and other challenges as they raise their children.

Pastor Denis Okot of The New Covenant Church in Pader Town Council supports the need for churches to give greater attention to widows, saying they remain important members of both the church and wider community.

Okot says his church has special programmes through which widows are encouraged, guided and supported.

He says widows should be reminded that the loss of a husband does not mean the end of their lives, adding that churches have a responsibility to make them feel supported and valued.

Okot also says supporting members of the church should include sharing responsibilities and resources with those who need help.

He says New Covenant Church also places emphasis on mentoring young people, arguing that failure to guide the younger generation could affect the future of the church.

Meanwhile, Ocira says the conference will also create opportunities for participants to network, build friendships and explore partnerships in business and other areas.

He says participants will also have time for prayer and Bible study, with the organisers expecting the conference to bring personal and spiritual transformation.

Ocira says churches in Pader Town Council, including Anglican, Roman Catholic and Baptist churches, have been invited to participate in the conference.

Okot says he expects participants to put the lessons from the three-day conference into practice and share what they learn with other women and families in their communities.