Unbelievable special: 'My father was murdered…a sponsor saved my life' - Richmond Wandera Interviewed by John Nelson

Unbelievable?

Premier Unbelievable?

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.7 • 2.4K Ratings

🗓️ 19 March 2026

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this special episode of Unbelievable?, John Nelson speaks with Pastor Richmond Wandera in Kampala, Uganda. After his father was murdered, Richmond grew up in a slum community before his life was transformed through Compassion child sponsorship. Now leading New Life Baptist Church and equipping thousands of pastors across East Africa, Richmond shares what’s changed for vulnerable children since COVID, from rising poverty and disrupted schooling to trafficking and online exploitation. We also ask a difficult question: do international charities help or sometimes hinder? Richmond explains why partnerships through local churches can create lasting change for children and families. To find out more and sponsor a child, visit compassionuk.org/premier Subscribe & Support 👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.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 www.premierunbelievable.com 📢 Follow us Instagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable Facebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable Tik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable X: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE

Transcript

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0:00.0	My dad died when I was nine years old and it broke something in me.
0:05.0	I spent lots of times homeless, causing even bigger rifts in the family.
0:10.0	I was out of control.
0:12.0	Green Pastures is a Christian charity providing homes and support for people facing homelessness across the UK.
0:20.0	As soon as I walked in that place,
0:21.6	I knew there was something different about it.
0:23.6	Through Green Pastures,
0:25.6	Andy found a home,
0:26.6	freedom from addiction,
0:28.6	and a new beginning in faith.
0:30.6	It's the best thing I've ever done.
0:31.6	It released me from that 23 years of addiction.
0:35.6	And now I'm senior support worker here at Green Pastures Derby.
0:39.3	Find out more at greenpastures.co.uk.
0:43.3	Welcome to a special edition of Unbelievable in partnership with Compassion.
0:52.3	I'm John Nelson and today I'm in conversation with
0:55.6	Richmond Wanderer, senior pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Kampala, Uganda. Richmond grew up in a
1:02.7	Ugandan slum after the murder of his father and his life was totally transformed through
1:08.2	compassion sponsorship. It provided education, healthcare, food and a local
1:13.4	church community that protected and formed him. In this show, we're going to be hearing
1:18.2	about Uganda, the church, and the difference that compassion made to Richmond's life. Richmond,
1:24.3	it's so good to have you back on Un Unbelievable. It's so good to be here.
	...

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