Meet an African Pastor Podcast

This conversation is with Nelson Phiri, pastor of the Mpika Congregation of the Reformed Church in Zambia in Mpika, Zambia. Nelson shares about his leadership experiences and the people who modeled good leadership for him. He then shares about some of the temptations that cause pastors to compromise their integrity and therefore lose the influence they once had. Interviewed May 28th, 2026. (36 minutes)

This discussion is with Otieno Sheth Oguok, associate pastor of Kenya Assemblies of God Bethel Church, Oyugis. Otieno unpacks for us a different notion of leadership than what is popular around the world. He wants us to see leadership as kneeling, leadership as seeing, and leadership as lament. In his explanation, he also touches on his ministry in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Interviewed April 27th, 2026.  (43 minutes)

This conversation is with John Johnson Aziato, pastor of Global Evangelical Church in Penyi, Ghana. We talk about the importance of caring for widows and orphans in our churches and communities. John wants churches to realize that even if they do not have a lot, there is something that they are able to do to help others. They should care for people's physical needs alongside of preaching to people about salvation. Interviewed April 9th, 2026.  (28 minutes)

This interview is with Gideon Mbewe, pastor of RCZ (Reformed Church in Zambia) Katawa, Chipata. We hear about Gideon's long road to become a pastor and what his experience is like being a new pastor. He shares about the blessings and challenges of his ministry, including how to pastor a rural congregation with high rates of illiteracy. Interviewed March 24th, 2026. (31 minutes)

This discussion is with Pastor Job Kiggundu from Hosanna Community Church, Kyengenza Village, Wakiso, Uganda. We discuss the unfortunate reality of how countries like Uganda can be majority Christian and yet still have so much poverty, poor governance, immorality, and corruption. Job looks at the disconnect many Christians have between their church life and their work life. He longs for diverse churches to be working together to bring holistic change in their communities, and for Christians to seek for transformation through their fields of work and personal outreach to neighbors. Interviewed March 5th, 2026.  (51 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Jeremy Williams Agabison Azooka, pastor of the Christian Reformed Church Nigeria, Local church council Kapye-Donga, Taraba State, Nigeria. We discuss what the Bible teaches about speaking in tongues and dive into many controversial issues about this topic. Jeremy explains some of the abuses happening in the churches regarding speaking in tongues and gives his advice. Interviewed February 25th, 2026.  (46 minutes)

This interview is with Martin T. George, pastor of Deeper Life Bible Church, Lower Margibi County, Liberia. Martin shares his testimony about coming to know Jesus, about his church ministry, and what his life is like as a pastor in Liberia. Interviewed February 4th, 2026.  (30 minutes)

This interview is with Bulus Gani, Chairman of Regional Church Council, Christian Reformed Church Nigeria. Bulus shares with us about the insecurity in Nigeria and his take on recent events that have been in the news. He narrates his story about the time he himself was abducted and the trauma he went through. He discusses persecution of Christians and ends by explaining how churches around the world can be praying for Nigeria and Nigerian Christians. Interviewed January 9th, 2026  (64 minutes)

This discussion is with Joseph Byamukama who is pastor of The Fount Church 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. (Their YouTube channel). Joseph gives a biblical overview about demons and what they do and how Jesus has defeated them. He addresses misconceptions Christians have about demons both in Africa and in the West. Interviewed December 13th, 2025  (66 minutes)

This interview is with Conrad Mbewe who pastors Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia. To begin, Conrad shares about his friend Voddie Baucham who recently passed away, and how he is a very positive example of a Western missionary serving in Africa. He then discusses the ways Western missionaries can partner with the Church in Africa. He responds to many of the arguments people have against Western missionaries serving in largely Christian African nations. Interviewed November 13th, 2025.  (63 minutes)

This interview is with Opio Samuel Francis, from the Church of Uganda, serving as Chaplain of St. Paul Chapel, Gulu University, Uganda. We share about the work of a chaplain and the challenges facing youth in Uganda today. Samuel shares about how churches can be better reaching out to young people. Interviewed October 22nd, 2025. (40 minutes)

This conversation is with John Njuguna Njoroge vicar of ACK St. Michael and All Angel's Ruiru church in Thika Diocese of the Anglican church of Kenya. He talks about building altars metaphorically in the sense of prioritizing personal intimacy with Christ and a rich prayer life as more important than other concerns of church programs and church buildings. He also touches on the intentional approaches his church has made to prioritize prayer and discipleship their lives. Interviewed September 18th, 2025. (37 minutes)

This interview is with David Fugoyo Baime from South Sudan, who is now pastoring in Uganda with the South Sudanese congregation at St. Paul Namirembe Cathedral, Kampala. Fugoyo is also the Vice Chancellor of Restore University. In this conversation, Fugoyo shares his experiences concerning theological education in Africa, especially formal education through Bible colleges. We discuss why some pastors don't desire theological training, and other obstacles that make theological education in Africa difficult. Fugoyo shares ideas for how Bible colleges can improve and encourages pastors to do further studies. Interviewed July 30th, 2025.  (68 minutes)

This conversation is with Philip Wandawa, principal of Kampala Evangelical School of Theology in Kampala, Uganda. We discuss how African Christians today view their culture and religious past in the light of Scripture. Philip especially notes the widespread belief in God the creator. He looks at how it is important to affirm what was already good and present within African cultures regarding their belief in and response to God. But he also explains why this belief was not salvific and still stained by sin, and that Africans need to hear about Christ to correct misunderstandings about God and to hear the good news of salvation. Interviewed June 23rd, 2025. (80 minutes)

This interview is with Pastor Chris Shiundu of Highway of Holiness Ministries International, in Nairobi, Kenya. Chris shares about the importance of having our hearts changed by Christ and the importance of living lives that follow the example of Christ. He wants Christians to be more concerned about the heart rather than external things like smart clothing and focusing on gaining money. Interviewed May 21st, 2025.   (41 minutes)

This discussion is with Rev. Bosire from Baptist Church Umoja in Nairobi, Kenya. We discuss the practical reasons why many African pastors need to be bivocational, largely supporting themselves and their families without relying on a lot of financial support from their churches. We look at the challenge of time management of a pastor and the challenge of churches not giving to support their pastors either out of not being taught about it or because of being materially poor. Rev. Bosire also gives some guidance to Western partners about factors to consider when they want to help pastors financially.  Interviewed April 24th, 2025.  (46 minutes)

This discussion is with Moses Zulu of the Dutch Reformed Church in Zambia, who pastors Kabulonga congregation in Lusaka, Zambia. Moses shares his passion for ministering to families. He believes healthy families lead to healthy churches and a healthy society. He believes that modern influences such as individualism have been eroding traditional family ties and cultural values. Moses shares advice for other African pastors about caring for families in their churches.  (40 minutes)  

This interview is with Chad Morreau, pastor of Lusaka Community Church in Lusaka, Zambia. This is an unusual interview for this podcast because Chad is not African, but Chad is indeed a pastor of a local church in Africa. The church is multi-national and interdenominational, also known in other places as an "international Church." Chad shares about his life and ministry, and we discuss the unique joys and challenges that go along with pastoring an international church that is so ethnically and doctrinally diverse. He explains how these churches preview the church in Revelation of people from all nations worshipping together.  (56 minutes)

This interview is with a Nigerian church planter who must remain unnamed because he ministers in a very dangerous region within Nigeria. In this episode you will hear how he was part of a prosperity teaching church in his youth, which led him to demand that God give him money miraculously through the ATM. He shares how he came out of that church full of false teaching and became a missionary. Now rather than prosperity, he sacrifices for Christ in trying to evangelize and start churches among Muslims in Nigeria. Interviewed January 31st, 2025.  (57 minutes).

This interview is with Rev. Bunga Bakari from City Ministries, a department of Evangelical Missionary Society from the ECWA denomination in Nigeria. Bakari shares about how he grew up as a Muslim, later came to know Christ, and then began evangelizing and church planting among Muslims. He discusses about the dangers and difficulties of church planting in Nigeria. But he narrates some very powerful stories of Muslims coming to know Christ, community transformation, and forgiveness. Interviewed January 30th, 2025. (65 minutes)

This interview is with Michael Byonanebye, Assistant Pastor of Soroti Calvary Chapel in Soroti, Uganda. Michael shares his passion about preaching in an expository way - book by book, verse by verse. He talks about how different this is from the way preaching is done in most churches and why it can bring challenges. But he shares about why this method is more fruitful and why it is so important. Interviewed January 7th, 2025.  (40 minutes)

This interview is with Pastor Getachew Abdi from Generation saving Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Getachew has planted over 80 churches around Ethiopia with several different denominations. In the conversation, Getachew shares a bit of his story, and talks about his evangelism efforts to Muslims and to those who belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He also shares about the persecution he and other evangelists face. Interviewed November 30th, 2024.  (37 minutes)

This interview is with Marvin O. Vah, pastor of Deeper Life Bible Church in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Liberia. In this conversation Marvin shares his testimony of how he came to know Christ. He also shares a little about his pastoral ministry. The majority of the conversation is about challenges in spiritual warfare Marvin has faced, including a physical demonic attack. Interviewed October 31st, 2024.  (53 minutes)

This conversation is with David Fugoyo Baime from South Sudan, who is now pastoring in Uganda with the South Sudanese congregation at St. Paul Namirembe Cathedral, Kampala. Fugoyo is also the Vice Chancellor of Restore University. In this discussion, Fugoyo shares about a former dissertation in which he studied the book of Judges. We talk about what he appreciates about the book, the leadership lessons that African leaders can learn from the book, and how he suggests pastors can preach through the book. Interviewed October 17th, 2024.  (46 minutes)

This interview is with Pastor Augustine Ocho from Calvary Chapel in Nazigo, Kayunga, Uganda. Augustine shares his testimony about how he came to know Jesus personally, after having been raised as a child in a Roman Catholic family who did not attend church regularly. He shares about church planting and reaching out to those from Roman Catholic backgrounds. He also answers a few questions about his life as a pastor and about some of the challenges facing African churches today. Interviewed September 26th, 2024.  (49 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Stephen Omoko, pastor of Otucopi PAG church in Soroti, Uganda. Stephen shares about the very controversial topic of bride price. He first explains the practices in various African cultures, and the benefits or problems that result in society from these practices. Then we look at bride price from a Christian perspective and compare it to the idea of appreciation rather than a negotiated fee. Interviewed September 9th, 2024.   (65 minutes)

This conversation is with Joseph Antwi, pastor of Great Commission Church International in Gomoa-Nyanyano, Ghana. In addition to his pastoral ministry, Joseph works with The Chalmers Center to start and monitor savings groups in Ghana. He speaks about the history of savings groups, why they are so helpful to the materially poor, and analyzes common problems that arise in some savings groups. The curriculum he mentions is found here. Interviewed August 8th, 2024.  (61 minutes)

This conversation is with Conrad Mbewe who pastors Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia. He also teaches at African Christian University and has written several books. Conrad shares his personal testimony about losing his son Mwansa and the process of grief his family went through. He shares what he learned about God during his grief, what Scriptures gave him comfort, and his wisdom for how to better care for others who are grieving. Interviewed July 23rd, 2024.   (60 minutes)

This interview is with Rev. Patrick Mapundula who pastors St. Agnes Anglican Church in Blantyre, Malawi. Patrick is now retired, but that has meant giving up a majority of his ministry while still being an assistant pastor at church. In this conversation, Patrick shares why he chose to retire, how he prepared for retirement, and he gives some tips and lessons to other pastors concerning retirement. Interviewed July 9th, 2024.   (33 minutes)

This discussion is with Pastor Rugereka Vincent from Cornerstone Fellowship International in Kigali, Rwanda. Vincent shares about his experiences with street preaching: his methods, the joys, the challenges, how people respond, and how he preaches differently from many other street preachers. Interviewed June 12th, 2024.  (34 minutes)

This interview is with Bishop Emmanuel Okwalinga who recently finished his term as bishop for North Teso Pastorate, Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG), Uganda. He shares wisdom and experiences about church discipline - it's purpose, how it is normally done in PAG, mistakes which sometimes happen, which sins are most commonly disciplined, discipline for false teaching, and hopeful stories of restoration after church discipline. Interviewed May 31st, 2024.  (80 minutes)

This interview is with David Cloete, pastor of Hope City Presbyterian Church in Cape Town, South Africa. We discuss some of the ongoing pains and divisions concerning race in South Africa today. David passionately shares about the importance of a Gospel-centered approach to race relations. Interviewed May 22nd, 2024.  (75 minutes)

This is a testimony shared by Pastor Star Isaac Losusanna of how he ran from South Sudan and became a refugee in Uganda. He explains what it was like being a refugee and how God used him to start a church in the camp. He currently pastors Zion church in Yei, South Sudan. He also shares about going through a Helping Without Hurting in Africa training with me while in Uganda and how he put the training into practice back home. Interviewed May 9th, 2024.  (58 minutes)

This interview is with Mahrous Karam, pastor of Evangelical Presbyterian church in Luxor, Egypt. We learn about his local church and ministry, as well as the story of how their church building had to be moved due to the discovery of Egyptian artifacts. We also talk briefly about the different kinds of churches in Egypt and about living as a minority in Egypt. You will hear in the conversation a church member translating from Arabic to English. Interviewed March 31st, 2024. (39 minutes)

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)