Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this special edition of Unbelievable in partnership with Compassion, John Nelson speaks with Ugandan pastor Richmond Wandera, senior pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Kampala. Raised in one of the city’s toughest slum communities after the murder of his father, Richmond’s life was transformed through Compassion sponsorship, receiving education, healthcare, food, and a local church community that protected and formed him. Find out more or sponsor a child at compassionuk.org/premier
00:00 Welcome and Richmond’s story in East Africa
00:59 Growing up in Naguru after his father’s murder
01:57 From sponsor to PhD and pastor
03:41 Training pastors across East Africa
04:14 Syncretism and why theology matters
05:53 What the Ugandan church is really like
09:27 “The future of the church is Africa”
10:18 The Peace Plan and winning community trust
12:49 1,041 people came to Christ in one week
14:24 Covid’s lasting impact on Uganda and children
21:36 What poverty does to children and identity today
31:45 Exploitation, early marriage, and why act now
Richmond shares how sponsorship became a turning point, leading him from street life to becoming an accountant, completing theological training, and earning a PhD in leadership shaped by Ubuntu, the conviction that “I am because you are.” He also explains why he founded the Pastors Discipleship Network to train untrained pastors across Sub-Saharan Africa, tackle syncretism, and strengthen discipleship. Richmond describes urgent risks facing children today, including poverty, exploitation, and early marriage. Find out more or sponsor a child at compassionuk.org/premier.
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In this special edition of Unbelievable in partnership with Compassion, John Nelson speaks with Ugandan pastor Richmond Wandera, senior pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Kampala. Raised in one of the city’s toughest slum communities after the murder of his father, Richmond’s life was transformed through Compassion sponsorship, receiving education, healthcare, food, and a local church community that protected and formed him. Find out more or sponsor a child at compassionuk.org/premier
00:00 Welcome and Richmond’s story in East Africa
00:59 Growing up in Naguru after his father’s murder
01:57 From sponsor to PhD and pastor
03:41 Training pastors across East Africa
04:14 Syncretism and why theology matters
05:53 What the Ugandan church is really like
09:27 “The future of the church is Africa”
10:18 The Peace Plan and winning community trust
12:49 1,041 people came to Christ in one week
14:24 Covid’s lasting impact on Uganda and children
21:36 What poverty does to children and identity today
31:45 Exploitation, early marriage, and why act now
Richmond shares how sponsorship became a turning point, leading him from street life to becoming an accountant, completing theological training, and earning a PhD in leadership shaped by Ubuntu, the conviction that “I am because you are.” He also explains why he founded the Pastors Discipleship Network to train untrained pastors across Sub-Saharan Africa, tackle syncretism, and strengthen discipleship. Richmond describes urgent risks facing children today, including poverty, exploitation, and early marriage. Find out more or sponsor a child at compassionuk.org/premier.
Subscribe & Support
👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡
🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast a www.premier.plus/unbelievable 🎙️
🔗 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at premierunbelievable.com 📢
Follow us
Instagram: instagram.com/premierunbelievable
Facebook: facebook.com/premierunbelievable
Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable
X: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE
