HESM volunteers unloading fresh food from the ministry vehicle onto a delivery cart during a winter outreach run in Boston

Welcome to Henry Edward Ssuuna Ministries

A place of hope,faith, and practical carefor every generation.

We are glad you are here. Henry Edward Ssuuna Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry serving young people, families, and communities in Boston. Through mentorship, family support, food outreach, and transportation, we share the love of Christ in ways that people can experience in their everyday lives.

Learn more about us Explore our ministries

Our foundationThe love of Jesus Christ

Our communityRooted in Buganda and serving Boston

Our purposeHelping people grow in hope and dignity

The heart behind the ministry

A calling to serve people with faith, compassion, and responsibility.

At Henry Edward Ssuuna Ministries, we believe that ministry should reach beyond the pulpit and become visible in the lives of people. Our Christian faith, together with a deep sense of responsibility rooted in our Buganda heritage, calls us to listen to people, welcome them with dignity, and respond to their needs with practical care.

Sometimes that care begins by giving a young person a safe place to learn and ask questions. At other times, it means sharing a meal, supporting a parent and child, or providing transportation so that someone can take part in a program. In every expression of the ministry, the purpose remains the same: to share the love of Christ and help people move toward a more hopeful future.

See how the ministry serves people

Children working with folders and pencils during a youth workshop — TeachGive young minds room to grow

Pastor Henry Edward Ssuuna present with community members during an HESM support visit — CareStand beside parents, children, and households

How we care for our community

Here are some of the ways we serve people and walk alongside them.

Our ministry takes many forms because every person and family has a different story. These photographs show real moments of mentorship, food outreach, community fellowship, and family support.

Youth mentorship

We help young people discover their gifts

When young people gather with notebooks, questions, and a willingness to learn, we give them room to discover their abilities and grow in confidence. Our mentorship sessions bring learning, Christian guidance, and a sense of belonging together in one supportive place.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”Proverbs 22:6 · KJV

Food outreach

We bring food and care into the community

Our volunteers gather, pack, and deliver food because we believe care should reach people wherever they are. Every collection, journey, and personal handoff is an opportunity to share the love of Christ in a practical way.

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink.”Matthew 25:35 · KJV

Community fellowship

We make room for people around the table

A shared meal can meet an immediate need while also creating time for welcome, conversation, prayer, and friendship. Young people and adults serve and receive side by side, reminding us that everyone has a place in the community.

“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”Romans 12:13 · KJV

Prayer & presence

We stay, we listen, and we pray together

When the food has been delivered, we do not rush away. We take hands with the people we serve and pray with them. Presence tells a person they are seen. Prayer tells them they are not alone.

“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”Galatians 6:2 · KJV

Family support

We stand beside families through difficult seasons

We offer personal support to single mothers, single fathers, children, and households facing a difficult moment. Along with useful provision, families receive encouragement, prayer, and a caring relationship they can return to.

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”1 John 3:18 · KJV

Senior support

We honour our elders with fresh food and friendship

We bring fresh produce and warm conversation to senior residences, because growing older should never mean being forgotten. Each visit carries groceries, laughter, and the assurance that the community still surrounds them.

“Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man.”Leviticus 19:32 · KJV

Our ministries

We want people to receive support that speaks to both their present needs and their future.

Our programs bring Christian encouragement together with practical help. We create opportunities for young people to learn, help families through difficult seasons, share food in the community, and provide transportation so that more people can participate.

Now viewingYouth mentorship & development

Program 01 / Youth development

We help young people grow in confidence, character, and faith.

Through workshops, mentorship, and guided learning, children and young people are encouraged to listen, ask questions, discover their gifts, and grow together in a supportive community.

This work continues through HESM youth workshops and gatherings

A mentor teaching young people during a Bible summit and youth development session

Food outreach in Boston

Every meal begins with people who are willing to prepare, carry, and share it.

Our food outreach begins long before anyone leaves the building. Meals and supplies must first be gathered, checked, organized, and prepared for the journey into the community.

Volunteers then carry the food to the vehicles and deliver it to the people who need it. We approach every part of this work with care because a meal is not only something to give; it is also an opportunity to meet someone personally and remind them that they have not been forgotten.

Rows of prepared meals organized on tables for HESM food outreach in Boston — 01 / Preparing the mealsVolunteers organize the food and make sure it is ready to be shared.Each meal is prepared with care before it leaves for the community.

An HESM volunteer carrying trays of prepared food from a vehicle during Boston outreach — 02 / Reaching the communityThe prepared food is carried from the vehicle to the people waiting for it.Volunteers remain part of the journey until the support reaches the people it was prepared for.

People caring for people

This outreach is made possible by people who give their time, prepare what is needed, and show up for their neighbors in Boston.

Life in our community

A closer look at the people, relationships, and moments that make up this ministry.

Our gatherings bring together mentorship, Bible learning, prayer, shared meals, and fellowship. We invite you to look through these moments and see the kind of community we are building together.

A room of young people taking part in a workshop — 01
**Young people learn together**Our workshops give young people room to listen, ask questions, and discover what they can become.

Young people gathered together during an HESM fellowship event — 02
**Friendship grows through fellowship**Young people build confidence, friendship, and a sense of belonging when they have a welcoming place to gather.

Youth performing a celebratory praise dance in coordinated attire — 03
**Young people express their faith with joy**Praise and celebration give them an opportunity to worship through dance and movement.

Young participants at buzzers during a lively Bible summit session — 04
**Learning can be active and joyful**Interactive Bible summits help participants build knowledge, confidence, and the courage to take part.

Pastor Henry Edward Ssuuna holding hands in prayer with guests seated around tables at a community meal — 05
**We make time to pray together**Prayer is part of our community life, including the moments we share around a table before a meal is served.

Pastor Henry Edward Ssuuna with community members during an HESM support visit — 06
**Care is shared through personal relationships**Our support visits give us time to listen, encourage one another, pray together, and share practical help.

The way we serve

The way we care for people matters just as much as the help we provide.

We want every person who meets HESM to feel seen, respected, and welcomed. These principles guide us as we listen to people, teach young minds, respond to practical needs, and carry the work into the community.

Understanding comes firstWe take time to listen.

Before offering support, we pay attention to the person, their circumstances, and what would genuinely help.

Growth takes encouragementWe help people learn and grow.

Young people are given room to ask questions, practice new skills, and develop confidence in a supportive environment.

Compassion becomes practicalWe respond with useful care.

We turn concern into prepared meals, helpful provision, personal encouragement, and support people can use.

Care should reach peopleWe are willing to go where help is needed.

Volunteers, vehicles, and partnerships help us carry the ministry beyond a single gathering place.

Our faith is the reason we serve, and love guides the way we treat every person.

The purple-and-white HESM ministry bus — 01 / Side profileThe ministry bus

Front view of the HESM ministry bus — 02 / FrontReady for the road

Rear view of the HESM ministry bus — 03 / RearRoom for the journey

Transportation / the ministry bus

Transportation helps people take part in the ministry and also helps sustain the work.

Getting to a program, worship gathering, or outreach activity can be difficult when transportation is not available. The HESM bus helps young people, families, and church groups travel to ministry activities. When the bus is not needed for those activities, it is available for hire, and that income helps meet the ministry's day-to-day running costs.

Helping people reach ministry activities

The bus brings young people, families, and church groups to HESM programs and gatherings.

Available for hire between activities

When it is not being used by the ministry, the bus can be hired for private and business transportation.

Supporting the ministry's daily needs

The income from bus hire helps HESM meet some of the costs involved in continuing its work.

Ekisaakaate Boston campers in red, blue, green, and yellow team shirts gathered with Her Royal Highness the Nnaabagereka

The Christian Kisaakate

Giving young people a place to belong, learn, and prepare for life.

Young people growing up away from their cultural roots often face pressure, isolation, and questions about who they are becoming. The Christian Kisaakate brings the Buganda tradition of teaching and preparing young people together with Christian faith, creating a supportive place where they can learn Godliness, hard work, practical life skills, cultural heritage, and leadership.

The first Ekisaakaate Boston was held in 2022 at Singing Hills Christian Camp in New Hampshire. It brought young people together to learn, cook, worship, build friendships, and receive guidance from adults who care about their future. Throughout the year, HESM continues this commitment by creating opportunities that encourage and uplift young people in the United States.

A glimpse of camp life as young people cook, gather, learn, and enjoy the experience together.

Young people wrapping food in banana leaves during an Ekisaakaate Boston cooking session — 01Young people learn by preparing a meal togetherAt camp, participants practice hard work and cooperation as they wrap, grill, plate, and share food with one another.

Young people seated in a classroom-style session during Ekisaakaate Boston — 02Learning is an important part of the experienceThe Christian Kisaakate teaches Godliness, practical life values, and ways to face pressure in a world that keeps changing.

Young people raising their hands together in an outdoor circle at Ekisaakaate Boston — 03Every young person needs a place to belongThe camp gives young people a supportive environment where they can form friendships, receive guidance, and know they do not have to face life alone.

Young Ekisaakaate Boston participants holding awards at the closing dinner — 04Families join us in celebrating their progressThe first camp closed at the Boston Marriott Newton, where the young people were recognised and encouraged in the presence of their families and guests.

Read the full Ekisaakaate Boston story

Serving with integrity

We want every person and partner to know that they can place their trust in HESM.

Trust grows when people are treated fairly, information is shared honestly, and resources are handled responsibly. We are continuing to strengthen the systems that help community members, civic leaders, and institutional partners engage with confidence.

Everyone is welcome

Our programs and services are open to people regardless of religion, race, or background.

We speak honestly about our work

We publish program information and outcomes only after they have been confirmed.

We are accountable for resources

We are developing a clear public framework showing how partnership resources support the ministry.

We take safeguarding seriously

We are strengthening the governance and safeguarding practices required for responsible youth ministry.

Our hope for the future

We want this ministry to become a dependable source of support for generations to come.

Our long-term hope is to serve more young people and families through regular programs, a stronger presence in Boston, and a Christ-centered ministry with the relationships and structure needed to support communities for many years. We know that lasting work must be built carefully, so we are taking each step with prayer, responsibility, and honest attention to what is possible.

Strengthen the work already taking place

Continue developing mentorship, family care, outreach, transportation, and opportunities for community fellowship.

Serve people more consistently throughout the year

Build regular programs that young people and families can depend on beyond individual gatherings.

Prepare responsibly for future growth

Develop the leadership, safeguarding, partnerships, funding, and facilities needed for the ministry to grow well.

A group of young people gathered together during community outreach

You can become part of this work

Together, we can give more young people and families the support they need.

There are many ways to stand with HESM. Your church, business, organization, or family may be able to provide workshop space, transportation, mentorship, supplies, professional knowledge, or financial support. Whatever you are able to offer, we would be glad to hear from you and explore how we can serve the community together.

Speak with our team Explore our ministries