Happy Father’s Day!

Father. Refugee. Pastor. Peter is all of these things, but most importantly, he’s a man of God. So in honor of Father’s Day and World Refugee Day, there’s no story more fitting than Peter’s.

As you might expect, his story does not begin easily. Peter grew up in a refugee settlement in an area that was torn apart by civil war. Finally, in 2005 he returned to his home country to raise his own family and start a fulfilling career—only to have that ripped apart from him, too.

In 2016, war broke out again, making his home unsafe for his wife and kids. They slept in the brush of the rugged terrain instead of their house because they feared attacks. Then, his company shut down indefinitely, and he found himself unexpectedly unemployed.

Peter did not want to become a refugee again, but he had to do what was best for his family—and that was to get them out of there. So, with the little savings he had left and their few belongings, they headed to the Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda. It wasn’t what he had imagined for his family, but he had a reassuring sense that God would have something for him there. He clung to his faith, knowing that God would provide.

When they arrived, the situation was worse than he had hoped. Many families just like his—as well as single mothers and even lonely children—trekked across harsh terrain to find safety at one of the largest refugee settlements in the world.

It was crowded, and the water crisis was unimaginable at this point. With the summer drought, families could only bathe once a week. Finding water was a never-ending challenge. Although Peter’s family got settled in a community within Yumbe District, water was scarce. Every day, his wife would leave at dawn to look for water and return later in the afternoon with only one jerry can of water which they saved for drinking and making simple meals.

Planting a Church During Crisis

Peter forged on for his family, and he heard God calling him to embrace the community and become a pastor. Right away, Peter decided to seek out a fellow pastor, Manasseh Aputi, and together they started the Swinga East Baptist Church. They were confident that God would reach out to his people with healing, hope, and a new direction for the future through the church.

They began to see the results of their obedience immediately. Through their church, they had the opportunity to apply for a community water well through 4africa. The 4africa drilling team received their request. With plans, equipment, and team in place, Peter’s community had a well in no time. Now, it provides thousands of people with fresh, clean water every day!

Empowering Communities through Ministry on World Refugee Day

But that’s just the beginning of the story. Once connected with 4africa, Peter found out he could receive additional training and support as a pastor. He looked forward to the ongoing partnership. With the Disciple Making Movement (DMM) Training, Peter would have more resources to grow and strengthen his church. Through DMM, he helped church members set up weekly Discovery Bible Groups held in host homes throughout their community. Now, his congregation could experience fellowship, life, and God’s Word together.

Things were looking up, but Peter still felt God’s tug on his heart. As a father and pastor, it broke his heart to watch children and young adults in his community struggle with refugee life. Some had come without parents, some didn’t know any other way of life, but most seemed desperate for a sense of belonging, purpose, and home. Peter wanted to make that possible.

So, in partnership with 4africa, Pastor Peter and his church launched their first Youth Running Club (YRC) in 2019. He offered his church as one of the club centers, hosting thirty young people every Saturday for discipleship classes, fun games, and athletic activities. Peter was selected as the Trainer of Trainees, overseeing 45 coaches for the program.

Reaching Young Refugees through Youth Running Club

Through the YRC program, Pastor Peter helped pave the way for the youth in his area, empowering them to change the narrative. Youth Running Club provided a platform for weekly mentorship. Since then, many young participants have discovered a new sense of purpose and direction, led by an understanding of God’s love and plan for them.

Pastor Peter concluded, “My heart has been so encouraged to see such a transformation through the YRC program. Seeing a child stand up and confidently say that he is fearfully and wonderfully made blesses me.”

But it’s not just the children’s lives that have changed. Pastor Peter has heard endless testimonies from parents, too, since many often stay and wait for their children during the sessions.

Peter told us, “On a personal level, the program has pushed me to become even stronger in my faith. I have to constantly fill myself with the Word of God before sharing it with the kids, which also strengthens my own spiritual life. The program helps me set goals with my family. Together, we were able to plant and harvest 200 kilograms of beans, which helped us survive during the peak of COVID-19 when food ratios were significantly reduced. We could even help our neighbors with some food to survive.”

Father’s Day & World Refugee Day 2021

Fatherhood comes with its own challenges, but to be both a father and a refugee means heavy responsibility—and even greater opportunity. God used Peter’s role as a father and his experience as a refugee to reach countless refugee children while imparting godly wisdom and unconditional love for his own family, too.

As we join the rest of the world on Father’s Day to celebrate fathers, we celebrate Pastor Peter Kala. Amid incredibly difficult circumstances, he still made himself available to be used by God to serve others. His servant heart and commitment have brought hope and healing to thousands who thought that the refugee life was the end of them.

His hope as a pastor is to see his congregation grow in their faith daily as they wait on the Lord to heal the land of South Sudan and lead them back home.

“I am confident that the time of restoration is near. We just have to keep waiting on the Lord and trusting him. While we are still here, we will continue to serve him and stand with one another,” he says.

As a father, Pastor Peter is committed to walking alongside his boys and raising them to be godly future leaders.

“God is already leading them in the right direction, and I cannot wait to see what he has in store for them. These little ones are the light of the world. When my time in this world comes to an end, I will go in peace knowing that they are the perfect replacement for me.”

Thank You for Your Legacy, Dad!

Sharing a few words of encouragement this Father’s Day, Pastor Peter says, “This world has many troubles, but we can overcome them with God on our side. I encourage the fathers out there who are going through a similar situation like me to take heart and trust God. Always look for an opportunity to serve God because it is through you that he can bring transformation to the people around you. Always focus on God’s Word for direction, especially in difficult times. Finally, if you are in ministry work like me, look for partners with whom you can do God’s work.”

For more inspiring stories like this, be sure to check out the Blog. You can also learn more about our mission and find ways to get involved at 4africa.com.