Jacky Ogwal is a Master of Divinity student at ADC who has traveled extensively with the Watoto Children’s Choir. Fellow student Amanda Ball sat down to learn about Jacky’s journey and experiences with Watoto, which ultimately led her to ADC. 

AMANDA BALL: For people who aren’t familiar with Watoto Children’s Choir, can you share a little bit about the ministry? 

JACKY OGWAL: Watoto (formerly Kampala Pentecostal Church) began as a church plant founded by Canadian missionaries Gary and Marilyn Skinner. The church was planted in 1984 during a time of war in Uganda, under Obote and later Idi Amin. It was a risky time, and the Canadian government advised them to leave; still they stayed because they believed God had called them to Kampala.  

In 1994, Uganda was hit hard by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. As parents died, large numbers of children were left orphaned. In many homes, grandparents—often weak and overwhelmed—attempted to care for ten or more children. As a result, many families became child-headed households. 

Around that time, our founders felt God calling them to care for orphaned children. Although they had come to plant a church, they stepped out in obedience and began what we now call Watoto. “Watoto” is a Swahili word meaning “children.” That same year, the idea for the Watoto Children’s Choir began. About ten children were brought together to share their stories with the world, and their travels began.  

Originally, the church was only in Kampala. In 2007, we moved to Gulu, a city in northern Uganda. My husband and I were asked to plant the church there, which we initially called Kampala Pentecostal Church – Gulu. Over time, because of the global recognition of the Watoto Children’s Choir, visitors began referring to it simply as “Watoto Church.” In 2014, we officially changed the name. 

AB: How did you get connected with the Watoto Children’s Choir, and what was your role? 

JO: I joined the church in 1993 and served in the main church choir. One Sunday, our founding pastors heard me singing and asked if I would join the Watoto Children’s Choir as a singer and chaperone. After I got married, my husband and I continued serving together and eventually became team leaders. 

In total, I traveled with five Watoto choirs, visiting countries around the world. We experienced many cultures, foods, climates, and countless host homes. It was a challenging yet beautiful experience. 

AB: Can you share a moment from tour that still stays with you? 

JO: Northern Uganda had endured a 20-year civil war with the Lord’s Resistance Army during which children as young as seven were abducted and forced to become soldiers. Many were made to kill their own parents or relatives as initiation into the war. When we arrived, the region was recovering from deep trauma. We encountered people who had been mutilated and children who were severely traumatized and often rejected by their families. 

In 2010, we led a tour called Child Soldier No More. We traveled across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand, sharing these children’s stories to raise support for trauma rehabilitation and reintegration into their communities.   

During this tour, two children discovered that one child’s father had abducted and killed the other’s grandmother. The heart of the tour was reconciliation and forgiveness – a theme that deeply impacted these children in their journey towards healing. When they shared their stories, they broke down in tears. One child turned to the other and said, “I forgive your father.” 

What stayed with me was seeing how these stories impacted audiences. People would come to us afterward and say they felt compelled to reconcile with their own families over comparatively small hurts. They came to support Uganda; they left having received healing themselves. That realization—that God was bringing reconciliation not only to the children but also to those listening—left a lasting mark on me. 

AB: That’s heartbreaking and incredible work. 

JO: Yes. This is part of what brought me to ADC. I was doing all of this without formal theological training—counselling women and children who had committed unimaginable acts. I had lived the work before receiving training for it, and that journey led me to pursue theological education. 

AB: How has your experience with Watoto shaped your current studies? 

JO: My studies are helping me build on what I’ve already experienced. I’m especially drawn to counselling. Before, I learned by watching others and hoping what I was doing would help. Now, I’m gaining deeper understanding of God’s heart for people and how to approach trauma more wisely. 

In class, I often reflect on past situations and think about how I might handle them differently now. I feel better equipped to meet people where they are, especially those who have experienced deep pain. 

AB: What made you choose ADC for your theological studies? 

JO: I researched different institutions for about four years. It was a friend of mine who suggested I look up Acadia Divinity College. It became clear that ADC offered the ideal course combination that would equip me not just with counselling but also with pastoral skills. In addition, the tuition was affordable. After another conversation with a friend’s husband who had studied at ADC, it became clear that this was the place for me.