Machine Gun Preacher Vows Justice Against Evil Warlords in East Africa

New Documentary Revisits Sam Childers’ Ongoing Fight to Save Africa's War-Torn Children

The highly anticipated documentary “Never Stop – 25 Years a Missionary or a Mercenary” was released in August. This gripping new film follows the remarkable and harrowing journey of Sam Childers, famously known as the Machine Gun Preacher, as he confronts some of the world’s most ruthless warlords in East Africa.

The Machine Gun Preacher vows justice against men like Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, who is responsible for abducting thousands of children. Once taken, the girls are traditionally forced into sexual slavery while the boys are indoctrinated to become child soldiers. 

Alongside his nonprofit, Angels of East Africa, Sam has rescued hundreds of these children from the evil clutches of rebel militias. But thousands more remain captive. This new Machine Gun Preacher documentary recaps the last quarter-century of that mission and reiterates his commitment to NEVER STOP until the last child is delivered to safety.

Machine Gun Preacher’s Commitment: Rescuing Children from the Crossfire of Guerrilla Warfare

Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), is responsible for unthinkable crimes: mass murder, child abduction, sexual slavery, forced conscription and human trafficking. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court on 36 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Those charges hardly scratch the surface of his Satanic brutality.

His reign of terror has devastated countless families across Sudan, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For the past 25 years, the Machine Gun Preacher has been charged by God to bring warlords like Kony to justice.

Childers, armed with both faith and an AK-47, has spent years rescuing children from Kony’s rebel forces, risking his life to save others from the unimaginable horrors of war. With the release of “Never Stop: 25 Years a Missionary or a Mercenary,” audiences get a closer look at the Machine Gun Preacher’s life-saving work and his relentless pursuit of redemption in many different forms.

Bringing Justice to a Brutal Warlord

“Kony is out there somewhere. We’ve been hunting him for years,” said Childers, his voice resolute as he speaks from the brush of East Africa, fresh from another skirmish with rebel militias. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s wanted dead or alive. I’ll bring him to the Lord — or I’ll send him there. His choice.”

These aren’t just words. For decades, the Machine Gun Preacher has been on the front lines, fighting to bring an end to the reign of militia terror. Rebel leaders like Kony continue to evade capture. Guerrilla forces operate in hiding, reportedly aligning with other terrorist groups proliferating the African continent. Thousands of children continue to live in a perpetual hell of abuse and exploitation.

But Sam Childers refuses to give up the fight. His mission, rooted in both his faith and his fierce belief in justice, has always been clear: rescue the children, dismantle the infrastructure of war, and stop warlords in their tracks.

“Sometimes we have to fight fire with fire,” Childers said. “I’m comfortable with that. God sent me here as one of his warriors.”

A Journey of Transformation: From Biker to Preacher

Sam Childers’ journey is one of profound personal transformation. Before becoming a pastor and humanitarian, he lived a very different life as a gang-affiliated biker in Pennsylvania, struggling with addiction and violence. It wasn’t until a life-altering conversion to Christianity in 1992 that Sam’s path changed.

With his newfound faith, Sam felt a calling to do more, to serve a purpose bigger than himself. That purpose led him to the war-torn regions of East Africa in the late 1990s. Ignoring the warnings of seasoned aid workers, he threw himself into the chaos, determined to save children from war.

In 2011, his story first captivated moviegoers in the Hollywood film Machine Gun Preacher, starring Gerard Butler. And now, “Never Stop – 25 Years a Missionary or a Mercenary” takes audiences deeper than ever before, showcasing the depth of Sam’s transformation and the immense personal sacrifices he has made in his quest to protect the world’s most vulnerable children.

Just as importantly, it details the future of the mission.

The Fight for Africa’s Children: A Mission That Never Stops

Angels of East Africa has become a lifeline for children in the region. Through our orphanages and safe houses, the organization provides care, education and hope for children who have been victimized by criminal rebel fighters. In South Sudan, the organization’s Children’s Home in Nimule is home to around 185 children, offering them a sanctuary where they can heal, learn and prepare for a better future.

The new documentary shines a light on the ongoing trauma these children face. Many of the children rescued by Childers’ team bear the physical scars of their captivity — missing limbs, burns and other disfiguring injuries. But the emotional scars run deeper. Some children were forced to kill their own families, and the psychological impact of those atrocities continues to haunt them.

“Of the hundreds of children we’ve saved, many of them still bear the scars of the worst mankind has to offer,” said Childers. “But we’re here to give them hope, to help them rebuild their lives. We won’t stop until every child is safe.”

Never Stop: A Story That Must Be Told

Directed by renowned filmmaker Kevin Evans, “Never Stop – 25 Years a Missionary or a Mercenary” takes a raw and unfiltered, unscripted look at the Machine Gun Preacher’s humanitarian heroism. From his daring rescues deep in enemy territory to the evolution of his life-saving tactics, the documentary brings audiences face-to-face with the tragedy of war and the extraordinary efforts required to make a difference.

“Sam Childers is a force of nature,” said Evans. “His story exemplifies the profound impact a single person can have on the world. This documentary isn’t just about one man’s journey — it’s about the countless children who’ve been saved and many more who still need our help.”

Machine Gun Preacher’s Call to Action: Join the Fight

The release of Never Stop comes at a critical time. With conflict still plaguing the region, the need for support has never been greater. Proceeds

from the documentary will directly support Angels of East Africa, helping us provide ongoing care and protection for our children.

As the world witnesses this powerful new documentary, the Machine Gun Preacher has one simple message: the fight is far from over.

“Joseph Kony’s reign of terror may persist, but our resolve to protect these children remains unshakeable,” Sam declared. “We will not rest until every child is safe and given the chance to rebuild their lives. With the release of Never Stop, I hope people around the world will join us in this fight.”

Visit mgpneverstop.com to watch the documentary and support the ongoing mission of Angels of East Africa. Together, we can bring hope to those who need it most.

About Sam Childers and Angels of East Africa: Sam Childers, known as the Machine Gun Preacher, is an American pastor and the founder of Angels of East Africa. The organization is dedicated to rescuing children from the LRA and providing them with shelter, education, and hope. For more information or to arrange interviews with Sam Childers or the filmmaking team, please contact Ewelina Podgrudna at aoea.ewelina@gmail.com.