09/04/2026
This is a new show I wanted to share with my brothers and sisters of the Swahili Service hosted by Central Assembly Of God in Springfield Mo. Please share any questions you have and we can address them in future shows.
May God Bless You
Bishop Dennis Eversen
An African & An American Testify Of Jesus is a faith-focused talk show hosted by Theo Makombe and Bishop Dennis Eversen. Bridging continents and cultures, the show brings together distinct global perspectives to share powerful personal testimonies, deepen faith, and celebrate the unifying gospel of Jesus Christ.
Background & Friendship Origins
The hosts, Dennis Eversen (from small-town Wisconsin) and Theo Makombe (a missionary from Rwanda), reflect on their 16-year friendship. They initially met in a YMCA hot tub in Springfield, Missouri. Despite their vastly different backgrounds—Dennis growing up with small-town freedoms and Theo escaping genocide and dealing with severe PTSD—they bonded over their shared faith. Dennis immediately recognized the Holy Spirit in Theo and invited him to share his testimony, sparking a long-term partnership.
Core Theme: "Ministry in the Mundane" & True Discipleship
A major focus of the conversation is finding divine appointments in everyday life rather than relying on structured church programs.
Finding the "Person of Peace": Theo shares a profound story of going to the downtown Springfield square every day to find a "person of peace" to disciple. He approached a man named Waldo and accurately relayed the exact details of Waldo's dream from the previous night. This led to Waldo's immediate surrender to Christ.
Everyday Encounters: Dennis shares a recent story of reading a waterproof Bible in a public pool at Doling Park. A young man approached him, and their conversation led to the creation of a new local YouTube show, "417 Testimonies of Jesus Christ."
Critique of Modern Church Culture: Both men express frustration with churches that prioritize social clubs, potlucks, and attendance numbers over genuine discipleship. Theo recounts a vivid dream comparing an aimless, food-focused church gathering to a trap of "demonic activities" that he could only escape by calling on the name of Jesus.
The Reality of Spiritual Struggles & "Battle Buddies"
The hosts discuss the necessity of having close Christian friends ("battle buddies") to share deep struggles and remain accountable. They note that the enemy frequently uses distractions, frustrations, and feelings of disqualification to derail believers. Theo emphasizes that when you face heavy resistance, it is a test meant to stop you, not a sign from God that you should change your destination.
Healing vs. Survival Mode
Theo discusses his transition from mere survival to true healing, which is the focus of his new book, Race for Healing (following his first book about the Rwandan genocide, Race for Life).
Running Toward Life: Theo explains his life thesis: "My first race was away from death; my race now is toward life." He explains that many people spend their lives in "survival mode"—running from past trauma and operating out of fear—rather than running toward the true life found in Christ.
Confronting Trauma: Theo shares an intense story of working at Walmart with a coworker who hated him and tried to get him fired. Prompted by God, he told her that God wanted to heal her from her childhood abuse. The woman broke down in tears, dropping her defenses and finally beginning her healing process.
Leadership and Speaking the Truth
The Loneliness of Leadership: Theo describes leadership as the "loneliest place in the world" because a leader must walk the path alone first before returning to guide others.
Trusting God Over Methods: Theo shares a story of speaking at a regional conference where he was supposed to raise missionary funds. Instead of giving a fundraising pitch, he delivered a challenging prophetic message God gave him. While his supervisors were initially angry that he forgot to ask for money, several unknown pastors who heard the message were so moved that they independently funded his ministry anyway.
Conclusion
The broadcast closes with a prayer by Theo, asking God to protect their message, encourage struggling leaders globally who feel isolated or rejected, and guide believers to find the right people to disciple. Dennis wraps up by reminding viewers that time is their most valuable asset and encourages them to invest it in serving the Lord and others.
