Naphtali is well-acquainted with the profound impact of commitment and connection. He knows the heartbreak when commitment is absent but also the joy of being connected to faithful individuals who supported him in following God’s call on his life.

Naphtali grew up in the depths of poverty in Uganda and only saw his father a handful of times during his childhood. “The first time I met my father was when I was four years old. He then left, and the next time I saw him was when I was 10,” Naphtali recalls.

Being the twelfth child out of thirteen in his family, he couldn’t afford to go to school. Even a tuition-free school remained out of reach due to the costs of uniforms, books, and fees.

A Change for the Better

Naphtali was trapped in poverty; however, his story changed when he received sponsorship to attend primary and then secondary school. In 2018, while waiting to attend university, Naphtali met Eric Peterson. This connection blossomed into a wonderful friendship when Eric temporarily sponsored Naphtali’s university education until his long-term sponsors, a couple from Canby, Oregon, reinstated their support.

A year later, Eric visited a church started by Naphtali and his sister in western Uganda. This visit sparked a profound and spirit-led idea  which changed the trajectory of Naphtali’s focus.

Eric noticed that pastors in Uganda faced financial struggles and needed encouragement and training. Naphtali’s heart also went out to these pastors and he agreed with Eric’s assessment, “I was feeling bad for the people who were doing ministry. These pastors were living in severe poverty,” Naphtali said. 

The Dream of a New Ministry

This compassion for struggling pastors in Uganda birthed the dream of a ministry to plant churches and support pastors. Naphtali, Eric and several other Ugandan ministry leaders, started to pray and plan. “Over time, the Pastoral Support Mission was designed. We started with 16 churches. The plan was to add 7 more churches,” said Naphtali. Then COVID hit, and the focus of the Pastoral Support Mission (PSM) changed as the food crisis emerged. During the height of the pandemic, PSM provided corn to 600 families in these church communities.

Expand NW Partners with Ugandan Ministry Leaders

In 2021, after the crisis subsided, PSM returned to the mission of planting churches and supporting pastors. It was at this time that Expand NW brought the Pastoral Support Mission (PSM) under its wing to officially provide crucial oversight, planning, and financial support.

Since Expand NW’s involvement, an additional 15 new churches have been established in Uganda.  These pastors receive ongoing encouragement, training and financial support. Naphtali is fully aligned with Expand NW’s mission of Serving Leaders to Expand God’s Kingdom. “Because of this support, we are able to take care of these pastors and help with transportation costs and logistics. We support them doing evangelism; encouraging the leaders to keep doing the work.” 

The impact of this work extends beyond churches to a men’s prison housing 700 inmates. Naphtali’s monthly visits, supported by Expand NW, have led to a remarkable transformation in the lives of 100 men who now follow Jesus. “They look like our ‘brothers.’ Maybe they did crimes, but their heart is broken down to trust Jesus. They have surrendered to God to take control of their lives.”

A Grateful Heart 

Naphtali reflects on his journey with gratitude, acknowledging the vital role played by Expand NW in their partnership. He expresses, “I am grateful for this connection. God has connected us to Expand, and all these things are happening in our partnership. I am just thankful for [Expand’s] commitment. They are more than amazing. I’m happy they get to be part of us.”

Naphtali’s story is a testament to the power of commitment and connection. Throughout his life, God showed remarkable faithfulness by bringing supportive individuals into Naphtali’s path. Today, Naphtali is honored to partner in God’s work in Uganda. He is dedicated to encouraging and training pastors, supporting planting churches, and ministering to prisoners on the front lines of the mission.  In addition, he is a husband and devoted father of three children.