Meet an African Pastor Podcast Anthony Sytsma

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)