Our Founders

Rusty and Betty Jo McLelland first felt God's call to Uganda in 2001. Betty Jo was watching a Samaritan's Purse video of children from Uganda receiving shoe boxes when God strongly impressed on her heart that she would soon be with them. Rusty was hundreds of miles away at a men's conference when God moved on his heart in a similar manner.

Within eleven months, the McLellands and their two children were living in Uganda carrying out a two-year mission assignment. During that time, they fell in love with the Ugandan people and found great joy in ministering to them. They were likewise ministered to and inspired by the profound commitment and deep faith of many of their Ugandan brothers and sisters in Christ who had triumphed in the midst of great suffering and pain.

As the work continued to expand, Equipping With Truth Ministries was officially established as a non-profit organization in December of 2008. The McLellands and their many partners have continued to be inspired by the words that Jesus spoke in Luke 4:18-19 when He proclaimed His mission on earth.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19

At the heart of Equipping With Truth Ministries is a desire to continue the work of Christ. He came to proclaim the truth of who He is and all the hope that the gospel brings. He came to enter into the brokenness and messiness of mankind's lives so that men, women, boys, and girls could be set free. He cared about the whole man, both their spiritual and physical needs. Jesus loved and ministered healing to those who were oppressed, hurting and in great need of relief. It is our great hope that we take that same love and truth to the people of Uganda so that Jesus is real in their lives and they can experience all the joy that brings.