Meet an African Pastor Podcast
Religion & Spirituality Podcas
This informal podcast is designed to help Christians around the world learn about the experiences of pastors and Christians in Africa. A different African pastor is interviewed on each podcast. The questions and topics vary but one of the main goals is to help Christians, especially from North America, listen well to their brothers and sisters in Africa and learn from them. Therefore, in most interviews there are discussions about the strengths of African churches and how God is working in Africa. The interviewer is Rev. Anthony Sytsma, an American missionary serving with Resonate Global Mission in Uganda. Feel free to contact Anthony to recommend a pastor to be interviewed. (anthonysytsma@crcna.org). The views expressed by the pastors interviewed do not necessarily reflect the views of the interviewer. The podcast introductions were created by Andrew Rienstra.
Location:
United States
Description:
This informal podcast is designed to help Christians around the world learn about the experiences of pastors and Christians in Africa. A different African pastor is interviewed on each podcast. The questions and topics vary but one of the main goals is to help Christians, especially from North America, listen well to their brothers and sisters in Africa and learn from them. Therefore, in most interviews there are discussions about the strengths of African churches and how God is working in Africa. The interviewer is Rev. Anthony Sytsma, an American missionary serving with Resonate Global Mission in Uganda. Feel free to contact Anthony to recommend a pastor to be interviewed. (anthonysytsma@crcna.org). The views expressed by the pastors interviewed do not necessarily reflect the views of the interviewer. The podcast introductions were created by Andrew Rienstra.
Language:
English
Email:
anthonysytsma@gmail.com
Episodes
David Cloete on Faith, Gospel-Centrality, and Race Relations in Post-Apartheid South Africa
5/23/2024
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)
Duration:01:14:58
Star Isaac on Being a Refugee
5/11/2024
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)
Duration:00:57:44
Mahrous Karam
4/4/2024
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)
Duration:00:39:28
Edgar King on Multicultural Churches
2/8/2024
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)
Duration:01:05:15
Simon Peter Emiau on the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda
1/8/2024
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)
Duration:01:05:55
Joseph Byamukama on the False Prosperity Gospel
12/8/2023
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)
Duration:00:54:14
Yusufu Malahu on Door to Door Evangelism
11/24/2023
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)
Duration:00:42:42
Joseph Nyamutera on Partnerships
10/18/2023
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)
Duration:01:21:37
Emmanuel Magambo on Community Development
8/11/2023
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)
Duration:00:58:42
Conrad Mbewe on Expository Preaching
6/6/2023
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)
Duration:01:00:59
Telmis Budrus Jamal
5/22/2023
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)
Duration:01:07:48
Moses Odel on Worship
4/19/2023
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)
Duration:00:59:46
Woldeyesus Bufebo
4/7/2023
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)
Duration:00:40:58
Moses Odel’s Testimony
3/24/2023
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)
Duration:01:01:32
Max Emiru
2/25/2023
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)
Duration:00:37:27
Conrad Mbewe
2/10/2023
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)
Duration:00:48:42
Dennis Milanzi on TEEZ (Theological Education by Extension in Zambia) and Training of Lay Leaders
1/23/2023
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)
Duration:00:55:41
Jared Kaka Rioba Bosire on Corruption
1/10/2023
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)
Duration:00:35:01
Peterson Wangombe on African Churches Sending Out Missionaries
12/20/2022
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)
Duration:00:56:23
Joseph Nyamutera on Donating to African Organizations, Churches, and Individuals
11/11/2022
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)
Duration:01:16:01