Philemon Wachara and Bryan Yeager (COO of Samaritan Aviation) met in Nairobi, Kenya in 1987. As a young man working his way through school, Philemon began working with Bryan as they were establishing a church in one of the largest slums in East Africa. A few years later, Philemon became the Senior Pastor of this church and helped it grow to over 3,000 members. 

Philemon is the Bishop of Harvest Center Fellowship which is a denomination with churches in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and now the United States. In 2002, he led the way in starting Grace Harvest Academy, an elementary school that has won numerous awards for the quality of education that it provides for children in the community. Bishop Philemon holds a Masters in Theology Religious Studies and Church Leadership and is also the Senior Pastor of Presence Community Church in Flagstaff, Arizona.