MARTIN & RITA

Pastor Martin grew up in South Sudan (at the time, Sudan). Just after he was born, his father left. Four years later, he lost his mother. When the war in South Sudan broke out, his older brother and sister died, and the government forced Martin to become a child soldier. He spent two years on the frontlines before he escaped to Egypt. There, a Canadian church led him to Christ and awarded him a scholarship to Victory Bible Institute. Martin met his wife, Rita, in Cairo. She shared his calling—to serve displaced and abused South Sudanese women and children.

When Egypt became unsafe for refugees, the couple fled to Israel, where Martin met a friend of Alan and Melody Pierratt, the founders of CRI. The friend believed in the couple’s calling and put them in contact with CRI. In 2010, Martin and Rita returned to South Sudan to begin the Children of Light Mission. But when war broke out again, they moved their work and family to Uganda. In 2018, they joined our team.

As our international partners over the Children of Light Project, Martin and Rita care for women and child refugees in the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement and in Kampala. Their vision is for people of different tribes to live in peaceful coexistence through the example of Christ.

Uganda Sponsorship Opportunities

Children of Light

For $25 a month, you can sponsor the children in our nutrition and Bible club program.

Green Door

For $3,000, provide a shelter for a family that will last a lifetime.