Meet an African Pastor Podcast

Simon Peter Emiau on the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda

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)

Joseph Byamukama on the False Prosperity Gospel

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)

Yusufu Malahu on Door to Door Evangelism

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)

Joseph Nyamutera on Partnerships

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)

Emmanuel Magambo on Community Development

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)

Conrad Mbewe on Expository Preaching

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)

Telmis Budrus Jamal

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)

Moses Odel on Worship

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)

Woldeyesus Bufebo

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)

Moses Odel’s Testimony

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)

Max Emiru

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)

Conrad Mbewe

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)

Dennis Milanzi on TEEZ (Theological Education by Extension in Zambia) and Training of Lay Leaders

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)

Jared Kaka Rioba Bosire on Corruption

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)

Peterson Wangombe on African Churches Sending Out Missionaries

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)

Joseph Nyamutera on Donating to African Organizations, Churches, and Individuals

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)

Eugene Munyampama on Counseling

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)

Boimah Mason

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)

Hillary Angura’s Testimony

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)

Robert Olupot on the Karamoja Region

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)