Set Free! helps Ugandan pastor lead his father to Christ
April 22nd, 2026
After attending two Set Free! Retreats, Ugandan pastor and Church Renewal International (CRI) coach Martin Atusasire learned to forgive his father and later led him to Christ.
Martin Atusasire, pastor at Elim Praise Church in Kajjansi Town Council, Uganda
Growing up, Martin longed to be called his father’s “dear son.” There were times when his siblings were addressed this way, but not Martin. Instead, Martin’s father gave him serious beatings, several of which were so severe that Martin wound up in the hospital.
Years passed. Martin came to Christ and entered pastoral ministry — but the pain still followed him. He tried over the years to forgive his father, but he couldn’t overcome the years of hurt and betrayal.
Eventually, Martin joined CRI mentoring and went to his first Set Free! Retreat. He heard God’s voice urging him to confess his own sins, including his past with his father. At his second Set Free!, he was filled with God’s grace and was finally able to forgive.
Personal forgiveness renews a family
Two days after the second retreat, Martin got an unexpected call from his father and heard those two words he had long since given up hope of receiving.
“How are you, my dear son?” his father asked.
Tearing up at these words, Martin could hardly respond. Forgiving his father at the Set Free! had broken spiritual barriers and marked a turning point in their relationship. They began phoning each other regularly and catching up on their lives.
On one of those calls, Martin’s father asked for prayer. Again, Martin was speechless. His father had a background of witchcraft and wasn’t following Christ. But God spoke again, this time directing Martin to lead his father to Jesus.
Today, Martin is discipling his father and teaching him the truth of God’s Word using TheWay, a CRI discipleship tool. The Set Free! hadn’t just taught him to be a better minister — it also brought the personal renewal he needed to disciple his family.
April Prayer Request
Ask God to use CRI tools like Set Free! to help pastors experience personal renewal so they can renew their churches and disciple their people.