Meet an African Pastor Podcast

This interview is with Edgar King, pastor of Trinity Vineyard Church in Nakuru, Kenya. Edgar is also the National Director of Vineyard Churches of Kenya. In the conversation we talk about the various kinds of diversity in Trinity Vineyard - ethnic/racial diversity, language diversity, and doctrinal diversity. Edgar shares a lot of wisdom about the blessings, joys and challenges of pastoring a multicultural church, and how God uses the challenges for everyone's spiritual growth. He also shares encouragements, cautions, and strategies for church leaders who want to reach out to diverse people in their cities and communities. Interviewed February 7th, 2024.  (65 minutes)

This interview is with Presiding Bishop Simon Peter Emiau who leads Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda. Simon shares about the history of PAG, his current ministry, and the denomination's strengths and weaknesses. We look ahead at the next 10 years and Simon shares about both the challenges and the opportunities facing the church, especially the missional opportunities. Interviewed January 8th, 2024.  (66 minutes)

This discussion is with Joseph Byamukama who is based in Kampala, Uganda, and is the Team Leader at Veracity Fount, a ministry that seeks to help equip the Ugandan Church through theological research and resources. Joseph blogs at www.byamukama.com. In this discussion we look at some of the false doctrines in prosperity gospel teachings and Joseph gives biblical context to commonly misunderstood passages. Joseph shares about the damage being done by prosperity teachings coming from the USA, but also explains how prosperity teachings can arise out of African Traditional Religion. Additionally, we go on a short tangent about Christians using "declarative prayers."   Interviewed December 8th, 2023.  (54 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Yusufu Malahu, a coordinator of Africa Inland Church Engedi Leadership Training and Retreat Center in Arusha Tanzania. In this conversation, Yusufu shares his passion to share the Gospel with people of the Meru tribe and explains how he started a new church plant with a few Meru families. Most of the discussion centers around door to door evangelism - what it looks like in practice, why it's fruitful, some of the challenges it includes, and why Yusufu thinks more pastors should engage in it.    Interviewed November 23rd, 2023.  (43 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Joseph Nyamutera from ADEPR Masaka Church. Joseph is the director of Rabagirana Ministries in Rwanda, but he also works in Kenya. In this conversation, Joseph shares about the topic of partnerships between churches or between organizations, both international and local partnerships. Some of the issues addressed include why some organizations only think of partnership in terms of money, importance of shared values, drawbacks of some large national partnership associations, competition between churches, unhealthy dictation by Western partners, and positive examples of healthy partnerships to show a way forward. Interviewed October 18th, 2023.  (81 minutes)

This discussion is with Rev. Emmanuel Magambo, pastor of PAG Kabale Bible Church in Kabale, Uganda. Emmanuel is also the secretary and treasurer for Kigezi - Ankole PAG Pastorate (Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda). Emmanuel shares his reflections on community development in Uganda in terms of what the common practices are, the role of the local church in community development, and how the worldwide church can better partner with Ugandan churches for community development.  Interviewed August 11th, 2023.  (59 minutes)

This discussion is with Dr. Conrad Mbewe who pastors Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia. He also teaches at African Christian University, has written several books, and preaches and teaches at conferences around the world. Our conversation was all about preaching, specifically expository preaching. We look at why it is crucially important, how African Christians respond to it, the cultural challenges against it, whether pastors have time to prepare messages this way, and much more.  Interviewed May 31st, 2023.   (61 minutes)

This interview is with Telmis Budrus Jamal, pastor of Free Charismatic Church of Africa within Morobi Refugee Settlement. Telmis is a refugee from Sudan who lives in Uganda. In the interview, Telmis speaks in Arabic and his friend Afendi Omar translates for him. Afendi is also from Sudan and also living in Uganda, and pastors Four Square Gospel Church in Umwijo Refugee Settlement. In the conversation, Telmis shares a bit of his testimony, about how he came to Uganda, about what life and ministry are like in the settlement, and a little about the current war in Sudan.  Interviewed May 17th, 2023.   (67 minutes)

This interview is with Moses Odel, pastor at University Community Church in Gulu, Uganda. We discuss the topic of worship, especially in the Ugandan context. Moses talks about what worship is, and what kind of connection with God drives us to worship. He discusses worship in a church context as well as personal worship. We look at cultural issues in worship such as Ugandans singing Western hymns or modern worship songs versus indigenous songs. Interviewed April 18th, 2023.  (59 minutes)

This interview is with Woldeyesus Bufebo, a pastor from Lebbu Kale Heywet Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Woldeyesus shares about his many years serving in youth ministry as well as his current work with the Bible League. We also discuss the history of Ethiopia in terms of its rich Christian heritage and its time under communism. Last, Woldeyesus shares some of the challenges facing Ethiopian churches and some of the strengths of Ethiopian churches. Interviewed April 7th, 2023.   (41 minutes)

This interview is with Moses Odel, pastor at University Community Church in Gulu, Uganda. He shares his life story about his unusual birth, the serious medical challenges God has brought him through, his unique marriage proposal to his wife, and how God called him to ministry. Interviewed March 18th, 2023.  (61 minutes)

This interview is with Pastor Max Emiru of Wera PAG church in Wera, Uganda. Max shares his testimony about how he came to know Jesus, and also how he felt called to pastoral ministry. He shares about some of the typical challenges that rural pastors face in Uganda. And he shares about how God is using him and the people of his church. Interviewed February 24th, 2023.  (37 minutes)

This interview is with Dr. Conrad Mbewe who pastors Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia. He also teaches at African Christian University, has written several books, and preaches and teaches at conferences around the world. In this conversation we hear his personal testimony, his joys and challenges in pastoral ministry, and his personal habits which allow him to live a balanced life while engaging in diverse ministries. We also talk about what the North American Church can learn from the African Church, and vice versa, and how we can partner together in God's Mission. Interviewed February 10th, 2023.   (48 minutes)

This interview is with Reverend Canon Dennis Milanzi, Executive Director of TEEZ in Kitwe, Zambia. In this discussion we hear about how Dennis was called to ministry and about the work TEEZ is doing in Zambia to educate and equip church leaders and lay leaders for ministry. We highlight the ecumenical work of TEEZ with 10 denominations. Interviewed January 23rd, 2023.  (56 minutes)

This is an interview of Rev. Jared Kaka Rioba Bosire pastoring Baptist Church Umoja in Nairobi, Kenya. In this conversation, we talk about corruption in Kenya in the government, the community, organizations, and the Church. Kaka shares examples of corruption and some of the underlying causes. We discuss how the Church and individual Christians can fight against a culture of corruption and cultivate honesty and integrity. Interviewed January 6th, 2023.  (52 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Peterson Wangombe, pastor of Deliverance Church Kahawa Sukari in Nairobi, Kenya. Peterson discusses how African churches and missionaries are reaching out to unreached people groups in Africa, for example through one of the ministries he is involved in called Africans to Africa. We talk about how these missionaries are trained and how they are financially supported. Peterson shares wisdom about how North American churches can partner with African churches in church planting, without acting superior and also without creating dependency. We also talk briefly about reaching out to Muslims in Africa. Interviewed December 8th, 2022.  (56 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Joseph Nyamutera from ADEPR Masaka Church. Joseph is the director of Rabagirana Ministries in Rwanda, but he also works in Kenya. In this conversation, Joseph is guiding North American churches in how to give wisely as they support African churches and development projects. He warns about red flags to watch out for in order to avoid supporting corrupt individuals. A number of subtopics are covered including trust issues, the broader community, verifying information, why it's difficult to report about corrupt individuals, supporting churches versus NGOs, being led by emotions, and why it is critical to support the people that are already doing great ministry in their communities without relying on foreign funding. Interviewed October 25th, 2022.  (76 minutes)

This interview is with Pastor Eugene Munyampama from Kigali, Rwanda. He pastors Grace Communion Church. In this conversation, Eugene shares about the trauma and wounds so many people in Rwanda are still carrying after the genocide in 1994. He discusses a program called Healing Hearts Transforming Nations which is helping people heal from their grief, shame, and hurts by pointing them to Jesus. Interviewed October 24th, 2022.  (29 minutes)

This interview is with Boimah M. Mason, pastor of Hilltop Citizens' Church in Paynesville, Liberia. In this conversation we look at his pastoral ministry, why he originally did not ever want to become a pastor, how he started a school for the poor of his community, and his prayer habits. Boima spent time in the USA for theological education, and he also shares his reflections on the Church in the USA. Interviewed October 7th, 2022.  (51 minutes)

This is Pastor Hillary Angura from Kaabong PAG Uganda (Pentecostal Assemblies of God) sharing his testimony. He used to be a witchdoctor and fierce warrior who killed many people in raids and fights against government soldiers. But he came to know Christ, was born again, became a new person in Christ, and now ministers as an evangelist. For a short version of his testimony see his Youtube Video. Pastor Thomas Nyirot of Revival Fountain Church in Kaabong did the translating in this podcast. Interviewed September 13th, 2022.   (72 minutes)

This interview is with Robert Olupot, Bishop of PAG Karamoja Pastorate in Eastern Uganda. In this discussion we focus on the fascinating region of Karamoja - the beauty of the people and land, the diverse tribes and cultural practices, the violence and insecurity, and the poverty and dependency in the region. He shares incredible stories of God's protection over his life, and also shares how some warriors have given up their guns and turned to Christ. Interviewed September 12th, 2022.   (70 minutes)

This interview is with Bishop Julius Wanyoike who oversees the Diocese of Thika, of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK). Thika Diocese is about 40 kilometers from Nairobi. In this conversation, Julius explains his role as a bishop and the wide range of activities this involves. We also touch on the history of the ACK, the Church's relationship with the government and community, and how his Diocese is championing the cause of caring for God's creation in very practical ways. Interviewed September 9th, 2022.   (48 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Joseph Okello, a pastor from Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda. Joseph leads the IBS program (Internal Bible School) for South Teso Pastorate in Kumi district. In this conversation we discuss teaching pastors in Uganda, church planting, what North Americans can learn from Christians in Uganda, partnerships, and we hear Joseph's testimony. Interviewed August 24th, 2022.   (51 minutes)

This interview is of Pastor Chris Shiundu of Exploits Worship Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. This is Chris's second podcast, and in this episode we focus exclusively on the topic of honor. We look at how to show honor to corrupt government officials, or to a polygamous father. We discuss how to hold leaders accountable while still honoring them. And we examine the biblical teachings on honor in comparison to Western and African cultures. Interviewed July 8th, 2022.   (51 minutes)

This interview is with Kefas Solomon Akundo, Director of Nigeria-Integrated Development Programme of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria. Kefas is located in Takum, Taraba State, Nigeria. In this conversation, Kefas talks briefly about his ministry of teaching pastors and working for community development. But the main focus of this podcast is about the tribal conflict, banditry, religious conflict, and kidnapping that is making Nigeria, and particularly Kefas' region so insecure. He shares encouraging news about how the churches are responding to this violence, and asks for serious prayers from the listeners. Interviewed May 30th, 2022.   (54 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Samuel Baker Uramba from the Church of Uganda, Nebbi Diocese. Sam is a chaplain of Uringi Secondary School, where he also pastors a church congregation that meets in the school's chapel. In this interview we focus in on Sam's evangelistic efforts and strategies to reach out to Muslims, Sam's prayer habits, and Sam's encouragements to Christians living in the United States. Interviewed April 6th, 2022.   (39 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Timothy Mutunga Katola of Redeemed Gospel Church in Machakos County, Kenya. We discuss how Mutunga planted the church he pastors, his retirement from his work with Resonate Global Mission, the challenges facing African churches today, and his work with Timothy Leadership Training. Interviewed March 23rd, 2022.    (37 minutes)

This interview is of Pastor Chris Shiundu of Exploits Worship Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Chris shares his interesting testimony about how he came to know Christ and also about how he became a pastor. He shares about his church's ministry to the poor and to prisoners. But we mainly discuss the topic of the Holy Spirit and the Church. Chris discusses his views on the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Chris ends by appreciating and challenging both African churches and North American churches in relation to the topic of the Holy Spirit. Interviewed March 8th, 2022.  (59 minutes)

This interview is with Pastor Masabo Jean Jacques from Nyanza-Lac Baptist Church in Burundi. Masabo is from the Baptist Union of Churches in Burundi. In the conversation, Masabo shares his testimony about how he got saved and also about how he became a pastor. He shares about the history of violence in Burundi and the Church's response. We also briefly discuss his role as legal representative of the denomination, and what he prays about for the United States. Interviewed February 10th, 2022.  (32 minutes)

This interview is of Rev. Stephen Omoko, pastor of Nakatunya PAG in Soroti, Uganda. Stephen shares about how God called him to be a pastor and shares about the ways churches can really hurt their pastors and how he has experienced this himself. We also discuss dreams, counseling broken marriages, counseling families, adolescents, and single mothers, and what Stephen has learned from his school about how to be a better counselor. Stephen also shares about the strain that ministry can put on marriage because of being over busy. Interviewed Dec. 22nd, 2021.   (42 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Otto Zachariah from Gulu, Uganda. Zachariah is the Diocesan Mission Coordinator from the Diocese of Northern Uganda.  Zachariah shares his testimony about how he became a Christian, and about the time he was abducted as a child by the LRA (Lord's Resistance army) and how he later escaped. He talks about the difficulty of living in an IDP (Internally displaced people) camp and how God used him to minister there. Other topics that we discussed include the importance of forgiveness, teaching people skills and hard work, his ministry of teaching pastors today, and what he appreciates about the Church of Uganda (Anglican). Interviewed November 30th, 2021.  (42 minutes)

This is an interview with Pastor Lam Tushabomwe, pastor of Rwakakwenda PAG Church in Isingiro, Uganda. Lam speaks in the Runyankole-Rukiga language and the translation into English was done by Rev. Magambo Emmanuel. In this conversation, Lam shares about his testimony about how he became a Christian and some of the challenges he went through because of becoming a Christian. He also shares about what his life is like as a pastor and shares about some of his regular ministry activities. Interviewed December 1st, 2021.  (34 minutes)

This is a special episode in which Rev. Magambo is interviewed concerning the topic of homosexuality and how it is viewed by churches in Uganda. He follows up on his article about the Christian Reformed Church of North America as this denomination debates how to view homosexuality. See the original article here - A Ugandan Perspective. Emmanuel is the secretary and treasurer for Kigezi - Ankole PAG Pastorate (Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda). Interviewed December 1st, 2021.   (41 minutes)

This is an interview of Rev. David Kangangi Njoka, pastor of Life in Christ Church in Nairobi, Kenya. In our conversation, David shares about his weekly ministry as a pastor, the joys of co-pastoring with his wife, and preaching at mechanic's garages and construction sites. He also shares about the challenges facing Kenyan churches today including people wanting instant blessings and also the current movement of Christians wanting to return to African traditional religion and their traditional regional gods. At the end, David encourages North American churches to trust in God and not in their riches. Interviewed November 10th, 2021.   (48 minutes)

This is an interview with Rev. Osire David who is pastor of PEFG Okunguro Assembly in Bukedia, Uganda. PEFG stands for Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of God Church. The translation from Ateso to English is done by Rev. Robert Odukatum. In this conversation, we hear Osire's testimony about how he got saved and how God helped him through serious marital challenges. Interviewed October 26th, 2021.   (33 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Robert Odukatum who is a District Overseer, a position to support the Bishop's work of caring for and teaching pastors. He lives in Katakwi, Uganda and serves with Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda. In our conversation we talk about his years of doing youth ministry, the huge task of training pastors, and the many challenges that rural pastors face. Interviewed October 25th, 2021.   (33 minutes)

This interview is with Pastor Moses Egonu, pastor of Pamba PAG Church (Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda) in Soroti, Uganda. In our conversation, we talked about Moses' time spent as a captive with the Lord's Resistance Army and how that influenced his life and ministry. We also talked about his desire to get married and what the marriage process looks like in Uganda. Interviewed October 12th, 2021.  (41 minutes)

This interview is of Rev. Emmanuel Magambo, pastor of PAG Kabale Bible Church in Kabale, Uganda. Emmanuel is also the secretary and treasurer for Kigezi - Ankole PAG Pastorate (Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda). Our conversation focused on matters of church structure, offices, and polity. We looked at the roles of pastors, elders, and deacons, how pastors are supported financially, the difficult expectations congregations have for pastors, and how worship services are planned. Interviewed October 2nd, 2021.   (45 minutes)

This interview is with Pastor Solomon O. Davis from Monrovia, Liberia. He is the national leader for the Christian Reformed Church in Liberia. In our discussion we talked about the challenges pastors face in ministry, the challenge of the prosperity gospel, the history of Liberia, and the influence of American culture in Liberia. Interviewed September 29th, 2021.   (30 minutes)

This is an interview of Rev. Jared Kaka Rioba Bosire pastoring Baptist Church Umoja in Nairobi, Kenya. In this conversation, we talk about Jared's life as a pastor and about how his church reaches out to the materially poor in Nairobi. We also discuss his doctoral thesis on reconciliation and reflect on tribalism and political conflicts in Kenya and what lessons the Kenyan churches have learned that might be valuable to North American churches. You can listen to Jared's preaching on YouTube here. Interviewed September 28th, 2021.  (42 minutes)

This is an interview of Rev. Mitogo T. Opira, Global Coordinator and pastor of Global Christian Assembly in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mitogo is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and has pastored in both the DRC and the USA. He is currently in the USA, but travels regular to different African nations to train pastors. In this interview we compare Mitogo's experiences as a pastor in the DRC compared to being a pastor in the USA, including his difficulty finding pastoral positions in the USA as an African. We also discuss differences between North American and African churches, and what North Americans learn from African churches. Interviewed September 24th, 2021.   (40 minutes)

This is an interview of Pastor Emmanuel Akatukunda from Kampala, Uganda. He pastors PERM Banda Church (Pentecostal Evangelical Revival Ministries). In this interview we discuss the joys and challenges of urban ministry in Kampala, reaching out to the poor, the strengths of African churches and what North Americans can learn from them, and Emmanuel's appreciations and cautions concerning the North American Church's role in theological education in Africa. Interviewed September 15th, 2021.   (40 minutes)

This is an interview of Pastor Eyadu Moses from Soroti, Uganda. He is pastor of Otucopi Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church. In this interview we discuss many topics including the challenges and joys of being a pastor, tent-making as a pastor, and how to listen to God. Interviewed August 31st, 2021.   (31 minutes)