The Leader Who Left Me Speechless: Faith-Driven Leadership
- Rhonda Mincey
- Nov 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 12
The Leader Who Left Me Speechless
By Rhonda G. Mincey
You meet many leaders along the way.
Some impress you.
Some inspire you.
But every once in a while—one silences you.
Three years ago, I walked through a museum in Uganda and picked up a book that I thought would be a casual read.
It wasn’t.
It was a charge to my spirit.
That book was A Knight Without a Castle by Robert Katende—the man behind the rise of chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi, whose story inspired the Disney film Queen of Katwe. But the book didn’t just move me emotionally. It marked me spiritually.
So I reached out.
Not to network.
To honor.
This summer, that full-circle moment came. My husband Doug and I sat with Robert and his wife, broke bread, and stood in the very place where transformation happens daily—the Sports Outreach Ministry (SOM) Chess Academy. The visit was personal. Profound. And unforgettable.
📍 We met three of his team members—once children in the Academy—now young adult leaders. One of them has served under Robert’s mentorship for over twenty years.
“You don’t measure a leader by how many follow them today, but by who still walks with them decades later.”
Let that settle.
In a world obsessed with platforms, Robert has quietly built people.
He didn’t rush.
He didn’t compromise.
He didn’t chase clout.
He chose legacy.
And that’s why I call him a giant in faith-driven leadership—though he’ll never call himself one. His example reminds me of what many forget: It’s not about being known. It’s about being faithful.
So, how did he leave me speechless?
It wasn’t with flowery language or flashy quotes. It was with matter-of-fact insight that struck so deeply, I had to pause.
Because when someone says something truly significant, you can’t just nod and move on—you have to let it sit with you, settle in you.
In the short time we were together, I was a sponge—soaking up every ounce of perspective I could glean from him. And I am forever grateful.
That day, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Robert and his team, not as strangers or supporters, but as friends walking the same road. We didn’t just exchange stories. We exchanged strength. And a commitment to pray for one another as we continue the work we’re each called to do.
Robert’s walk of faith reignited something in me—a fresh belief that when you lead with integrity, passion, and a clear plan, support often finds you, sometimes in ways you never imagined. His example couldn’t be more timely, especially as we prepare to launch several purpose-driven initiatives this fall through Hope Springs Africa, just across the border in Rwanda.
In many ways, Robert’s work reminds me of other faith-driven efforts across the continent—where visionaries rise not for applause but for impact. Purpose-filled organizations remind us that leadership isn’t just a title—it’s a torch passed down through consistency, humility, and service.
If you’ve never heard of Robert Katende, you’re not alone. And maybe that’s the problem.
We’ve made celebrities out of charisma…And overlooked the ones building legacies in silence.
So let me reintroduce you to a man whose life speaks volumes. If you want to be reminded of what humble, intentional, wholehearted leadership looks like, read A Knight Without a Castle. You won’t finish the book as the same person you started it as.
Because Robert’s story isn’t just about chess.
It’s about choices:
To stand on principles.
To serve when it’s hard.
To steward your gifts well.
To stay when it’s thankless.
To show up when no one’s watching.
To start an initiative when others say you should do something else.
That’s real leadership.
That’s rare.
Want to Support This Work?
If Robert’s story moved you as it did me, consider supporting his transformative mission through the SOMS Chess Academy. Your donation helps nurture the next generation of leaders in Uganda—one strategic move at a time.
👉 Visit RobertKatende.org to learn more and give.
A Question for You:
What legacy are you building behind the scenes? Who will still be standing beside you… twenty years from now? Share in the comments.
For legacy, love, and lasting change. – Rhonda G. Mincey #ProsperOnPurpose | #WomenOfFaith | #LegacyBuilders
Such a beautiful story and reminder that true leadership isn’t loud — it’s lasting. Thank you, Rhonda, for honoring those who build legacy through faith and humility.