For nearly two decades, Dr. J. Wesley Hertel (Jim), former pastor of Mt. Auburn Church, has faithfully served Uganda through numerous mission trips, dedicating his ministry to equipping local leaders, planting churches, and caring for communities in both spiritual and practical ways.
Jim’s passion centers on training lay pastors—men and women who often have little formal education but a deep desire to share the message of Jesus. Many of these pastors travel long distances on foot or by bicycle to reach remote villages, spreading hope and planting churches in areas where the Gospel has not yet been heard.
Beyond teaching, Jim has invested in developing future leaders. Over the years, he and his wife, Pat, have helped support Ugandan students through high school, university, and even seminary training. Some of these individuals are now serving in key leadership roles, multiplying the impact of his ministry.
Jim has also played an active role in church planting efforts across rural Uganda. Working alongside local pastors, he has helped establish new congregations, encourage believers, and distribute Bibles and children’s materials to nurture faith in communities.
Recognizing the physical needs of the people he serves, Jim’s ministry also includes humanitarian outreach. He has helped fund and oversee the drilling of boreholes to provide clean drinking water in villages that previously depended on unsafe sources. These efforts often go hand-in-hand with church planting, offering both “living water” spiritually and clean water physically.
Looking ahead, Jim is pursuing a vision to establish a training center in Africa that will combine biblical education with vocational training. This initiative aims to prepare pastors to support themselves while continuing to share the Gospel, creating a sustainable model for ministry across rural communities. A recent purchase of 18 acres in conjunction with Kuwaanda International is bringing that vision to fruition.