Men in the Arena - Christian Men's Podcast

Overcoming w/ Richmond Wandera: How One Decision Can Change Everything EP 935

Nov 21, 2025

Richmond Mondera, a former Compassion International sponsored child turned pastor, shares his incredible testimony of transformation from hardship in East Africa to spiritual leadership. He discusses how a simple act of obedience can change lives, recounting his journey from living in poverty to founding the Pastors Discipleship Network. Richmond emphasizes the ripple effect of sponsorship, not just for himself but for his entire family and community. His story is a powerful reminder of the impact one 'yes' can have for generations.

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ANECDOTE

Trauma That Led To A Sponsorship Turning Point

Richmond describes losing his father to a brutal murder at age eight and the family's descent into slum living.
That crisis set the stage for Compassion sponsorship which restored hope and access to school and healthcare.

ANECDOTE

The Moment A Sponsor Changed Everything

Richmond recalls being told to pray after Compassion took his photo and then learning he'd found a sponsor months later.
Sponsorship paid school fees and hospital bills, transforming his family's prospects.

ANECDOTE

Sustained Sponsorship Enabled Academic Achievement

Richmond describes two consecutive sponsors: a teenage girl through school and a nursery-owning family through college.
That continuous support enabled him to earn degrees up to a PhD and pursue ministry.

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Men, this episode contains a big curveball and one of the most incredible God moments we've ever experienced in almost 1,000 episodes of the Men in the Arena podcast! Not a dry eye in the house! Don't miss this one.

Can one simple "yes" really change the course of someone's entire life?

In this powerful episode, Jim Ramos sits down with Richmond, a former Compassion International sponsor child whose story of loss, hopelessness, and redemption will leave you stunned. As a young boy facing unimaginable hardship, Richmond's life was transformed when one person chose to invest in him. That single "yes" didn't just change his childhood—it launched a life of influence that now impacts pastors, leaders, and entire communities around the world.

Richmond's testimony shows what God can do when we choose to shine our light and trust Him with the results. By the end of this episode, you'll learn how one act of obedience can multiply far beyond your lifetime and what it looks like to invest in the Kingdom in simple, practical ways.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God!

We are also sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. This app, combined with diet, has helped Jim get in the best shape of his life! Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com.

Every man needs a locker room. Apply to join an exclusive brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room once a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Locker Room members also get access to monthly exclusive leadership trainings, historically only available to the staff team at Men in the Arena. Membership is by application only. Go here to apply: https://patreon.com/themeninthearena

Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)