About Us
The USA Leadership Team
NATE GROTBERG
President/Board Member
Nate and Jacki were married in 2020, and together, have 5 kids. They live in Ripon, California, where Nate makes guitar picks for a living.
In September of 2022, they began funding a feeding program for kids in Uganda, but knew that, although caring for these kids' immediate needs was important, they needed to address the bigger picture.
Joining hands with Ally and Doreen in Uganda, God united the four with this project to farm and bring a community together.
"I'm excited to see what God does. I know from experience that when He calls, He equips. The Lord wants us to live obedient lives, committed to spreading HIS truths throughout the world. We are simply being conduits for His work to be done. We strive to bring God honor and glory with how we live our lives.
What inspired OFBI was the following scripture:
James 2:14-17 - 'What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.'
We hope to be an example of the kind of faith that spurs on obedient living, spreading His message, and meeting the needs of those who are physically and spiritually poor."
- Nate
JACKI GROTBERG
Secretary/Treasurer
God is telling His own story through our lives, as He is doing in your life as well. No matter how flawed and how unqualified we may be, HIS strength is made perfect in our weakness!
He doesn't need us to be qualified by any worldly measure. When He calls, our obedience is all He needs to accomplish His purposes. So we are stepping out in faith, and trusting Him to move the mountains.
We believe Jehovah Jireh will open His hands and provide for the people in Uganda.
Psalm 145:14-19 - 'The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them.' "
- Jacki
PASTOR GREG CADY
Board Member
Pastor Greg is the Youth Pastor at Calvary Reformed Church in Ripon, California. He and his wife, Briana, have 3 kids.
Greg is an awesome addition to our team, and we are blessed to have him!
"It all comes down to this - what You require of me -Love my neighbor as myself and you above all things. To know God is to live in love. Those who have been born of God have received gift upon gift upon gift. As freely as we have received the goodness of our King, we are encouraged to freely give. In the Kingdom of God there is enough for all to be filled. God is not a God of scarcity so we should not live with hands closed to the things He has entrusted us with - time, ingenuity, money, or energy - but rather ask for wisdom in how to put them to use for the life of the world. Faith follows and seeks for God's action in the world and the cross shows us God's action is about bringing life from death, flourishing from decay, joy from sorrow, restoration from destruction, beauty from ashes. So by faith we follow Him into spaces and places that look bleak with the hope of the resurrection. Our God is the God who "calls things into existence that do not exist" (Romans 4:17) and "is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20)."
- Greg
Perry Thornton
Board Member
Perry is not only a board member, but he has also been taking the lead in our social media. He has a life long career in IT, ranging from Homeland Security, to Kaiser.
He has 2 daughters and grandbabies.
The Uganda Leadership Team
HERMAN BATAMANYA
Director
I come from a significantly humble family and my parents are staunch Catholics.
I grew up not only reading the Holy Bible but also observing the Roman Catholic doctrines. The Holy Bible and Catechism booklet were the most common books you would find on the table at our home. In the sitting room there were also pictures of Mother Mary and Jesus- features indicative of our faith. In addition, my siblings and I used to put rosaries around our necks and we hardly missed attending the Sunday Service (Mass). For my brother and I were "alter boys."
Ever since Pastor Ziraba Hassan Ally witnessed to me about Jesus Christ, I have drawn my life nearer to God than it was the case before. Through interactional Bible study fellowships, I have learnt a lot of things in a short time; such as, being kind, sacrificing my time and energy to do God's work, enduring hardships and struggling to succeed through fasting and prayer.
Now that I am employed by Our Father's Basket International, my life has tremendously changed. I can take care of my family responsibly. Besides, my kids and wife are happy because they are well provided for with the basic necessities of life.
I know Our Father's Basket International as a social organization which works with people to change their lives through teaching and preaching to them the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and equipping them with ideal agricultural skills to enable them to have a sustainable livelihood. So far so good, our work in Lubira is going according to plan."
-Herman
SAMUEL KIRINTI
Ministry Manager-Evangelism
I am 25 years old and grew up with a single mother with my elder brother and a young sister, that makes me the second born. I studied up to senior four where tuition fee was no more due to my mother having no job. Due to the fact that I wanted my little sister and my big brother to progress, I decided to start working because I was strong and working for each of them was my priority. I started working without any experience which taught me the hard way but later on I got an opportunity for training in cooking which enlightened me and improved my skills. I learned management and innovation through being a chef in Kampala.
Unfortunately, I got some sickness that could not allow me to work in kitchens. Hard breathing and chest pain due to smoke and heat, and also carrying sacks of flour because i was looking for to achieve a better life, besides that I used to also serve in church, Rebuilders Centre church Kira, Kampala.
Where I learnt more about God and I fell in love with God. My life got changed and God has led me to this point. I managed to also serve the Lord by joining Good Shepherd church where I was able to do a lot of work and mobilizing without expecting money.
God has been so good to me and I love Him so much, I am going to serve the Lord till my last breath of life by being true, good and kind to His people. He has brought me this far and I have to accomplish my purpose on Earth by being just. Our Father's Basket International is a gift from God and am so thankful. Right now, I am able to live in my house of two rooms and I am excited. I almost lost hope but because I kept faith, God has raised me from my knees and He has erased my tears and pain.
-Kirinti Samuel
Steven and Esther
Farm Laborer
Steven and Esther are local people from the village we serve. They have been volunteering with us since we bought this land. They are both excellent cooks, and know how to make you feel welcomed. We are excited that we were able to bring them both on to our team of workers.
BASHIRI KIRUNDA
Facilities Director-Evangelism
"I have a certificate in social work and Social Administration , am married and blessed with three Children- all boys. My wife is Hamba Sumaya and both of us have a Muslim background but we are saved by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I first came to know about Jesus Christ when I met Pastor Ziraba Hassan Ally who used to tell me how good Jesus is and later he introduced me to Global Belief Project where I was preached to more about Jesus and even got saved and baptized in the water of river Nile in Naminya, Buikwe District.
I am glad of being one of the workers of Our Father's Basket international. It is one of the greatest things that has ever happened in my life and I do believe that God is at work because my life has changed ever since I joined our Father's Basket international in that my family can now be supported by the salary I earn from this organization. I do believe that God will work towards the development of our organization. Where there is God, nothing is impossible.
Life is full of challenges and lessons but we should always remember that God is at work and it is because of Him that I am the supervisor of lively hood under the leadership of Pastor Ziraba Hassan Ally, here in Uganda and Nate and Jacki Grotberg, in the United States of America."
-Bashiri
ALEX LUBA
FGW Trainer-Evangelism
Alex Is one of 5 certified FGW trainers in Uganda. He is married to Susan, with 2 children, his son Eden, and daughter Edith.
Christine
Laborer
Christine is also a local villager. She has also been volunteering with the organization since we purchased this land. She has a servants heart, and knows how to put a smile on your face. She is a hard worker, and dedicated to the work we do. We are happy to have her on our team!
George
Laborer
George was the first local we met at the farm. He was staying on the property, taking care of the rabbits the previous owner had. George has been around since the beginning. He has been a valuable asset with his youth, and commitment to work. We are excited to have George on the team with us!