Richmond's Story

A Child among “The Least of These”

Richmond Wandera was rescued from poverty in Jesus' Name.

Dr. Richmond Wandera grew up in extreme poverty in the Naguru slum near Kampala, Uganda. His childhood was a painful and challenging one, marked by extreme poverty, illness, loss and hopelessness.

When Richmond's father was murdered, he was left to help care for his six siblings. It was not until he entered the Compassion-assisted child development center at his local church when he was 8, that his life and his family changed dramatically.

He began attending Compassion’s child development center at a local church, the healthcare, education, and love he received changed his life dramatically. As hope grew, Richmond quickly began excelling in school. After graduating, he was chosen for Compassion’s Leadership Development Program, which gave him the opportunity to earn a university degree. This ultimately shaped the trajectory of his entire life, building in him a heart for inciting transformational change in individuals, communities and nations.

With his master’s degree in Spiritual Formation from Moody Graduate School and Theological Seminary in Chicago, Richmond is unwaveringly committed to theological training for pastors; discipleship and spiritual formation for all believers. Richmond is also a voice from the frontline fighting against poverty in developing countries. He holds strongly that Church must play a crucial role in breaking the bonds of injustice and poverty. Richmond holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Leadership from Lancaster Bible College and Capital Seminary in Lancaster, PA.

He is currently the senior pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Kampala, and the Founder and Director of Pastors Discipleship Network, a nonprofit that serves, equips and trains thousands of pastors across East Africa.

Richmond resides in Kampala, Uganda with his wife, Rosette and their child. The church he pastors is the very same one that hosted the Compassion program that altered his story forever.