Browsing by Author "Stephen K Byaruhanga"

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    The Spiritual Nurturing of Christian Children in St Peter's Cathedral Deanery, Hoima in Bunyoro Kitara Diocese
    (Uganda Christian University, 2025-05-22) Stephen K Byaruhanga
    Spiritual nurturing is the process of guiding and supporting an individual’s spiritual growth, de-velopment, and overall well-being. It involves creating an environment that fosters a deeper un-derstanding of spiritual truths, religious beliefs, and moral values while strengthening one’s con-nection with the divine. Beyond religious practices, spiritual nurturing also contributes to an in-dividual's character formation, ethical principles, and sense of purpose. As a crucial aspect of holistic child development, spiritual nurturing lays a foundation for person-al growth, moral integrity, and a sense of purpose. Within St. Peter's Cathedral Deanery in Hoi-ma, Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, it plays a pivotal role in shaping the faith and values of the younger generation. The church extends its mission beyond traditional religious practices by prioritizing children’s spiritual well-being and fostering a deeper understanding of their faith . This spiritual foundation provides a strong moral compass, helping children navigate challenges while strengthening their bond with their faith and community. To achieve this, spiritual nurturing programs in the deanery focus on instilling core Christian val-ues, fostering a sense of belonging, and supporting children's overall well-being in alignment with church teachings . Through activities such as Sunday school, youth fellowship, and other faith-based initiatives, the deanery seeks to cultivate spiritually grounded, compassionate, and morally upright individuals capable of making a positive impact on their communities. Christian children's spiritual development is essential to their emotional, social, moral, and psychological well-being . Andrei (2023) notes that 80% of parents view spiritual education as crucial for instilling moral values early on . Religious organizations and families facilitate this through Sunday schools, catechism classes, Bible studies, children’s ministries, and camps . In the U.S., about 60% of children aged 6–17 participate in religious education programs, reflecting widespread commitment to spiritual growth. In Africa, spiritual upbringing is deeply rooted in cultural and religious traditions . With over 60% of Africans identifying as Christians, more than 10 million children engage in church-led activities such as Sunday school and youth fellowships . In Uganda, 70% of children participate in church-based spiritual programs , with elders and parents playing a key role in passing down religious values. However, about 40% of children face challenges in consistent spiritual nurturing due to poverty, political instability, and cultural conflicts .