Coordinator: Rukema Gisonga Berchmans

Pastor Rukema and his wife, Claudine, have four children. He graduated with a degree in theology in Kampala, Uganda, where he spent four years.

Representatives of the Into Africa Project met with leaders of Rukema's Maranatha Mission Church in 2005. The leaders accepted the challenge of the vision for village church planting, and proposed Rukema to be the coordinator of the program and three others, named James, John, and Innocent to be trainers. The VCP program with Maranatha started in April 2005, and by June 2008 Rukema reported 40 first, 19 second, and three third generation churches with total membership of 3,897. See above for recent country statistics.

Rwanda, being a small country, does not have many people groups. A common language, Kinyarwanda, is spoken throughout the country. Some people speak French or English as a second language.

Testimony

A man named Ndayambaje Alphonse from the Ngenda area is living with HIV/AIDS, and was distraught that he was dying. While VCP representatives were evangelizing they met him, and he spoke about his desperate condition.

The former Into Africa supervisor for the Great Lakes region relates this man's story as follows...

We spoke to him about Jesus who died for our transgression and sickness. After spending some time with him, the man accepted Jesus as his savior. We showed him how Jesus gives peace even if we are sick. The man received Jesus with his entire household.

We continue to advise him and encourage him to pray and read the Word of God. He testifies that since he got saved he has had peace, and even the sickness has reduced. Before we met him, the man had been released from jail for committing genocide against Tutsis. He is a good evangelist in our church, and goes everywhere in the Ngenda area testifying about what God has done to bring him from the darkness of Satan into the light of God. He says that even though he is sick, he already has eternal life.

Selected Areas of Rwanda
Coordinator: Alexandre Ruganzu

Reverand Alexandre is a from the Free Methodist Church of Rwanda. He holds an academic degree in theology, and has been a pastor in the same church for many years.

Alexandre and his wife, Ester, have seven children. He is very passionate about social justice and reconciliation.

The former Into Africa supervisor for the Great Lakes area recounts the following about the beginning of village church planting in Rwanda: "In 2006 I met with the Bishop of the Free Methodist Church of Rwanda, and spoke to him about the VCP program. After the introduction he said, 'Theo, this is an answer from God.' We need this program as a denomination throughout our country.” Unfortunately the program did not start immediately due to some internal issues in the church.

The VCP program started in September 2007 with three training centers in three provinces. One year later, Alexandre has managed with his three trainers to plant 49 first generation churches with 1,205 members. See above for recent country statistics.

Testimonies

A woman by the name Muhimpundu Theodette became a follower of Jesus at the church in Kibara, which was initiated by village church planter Habiyaremye Donatien. Theodette had a problem with her monthly periods, whether pregnant or not. The condition was caused by witchcraft rituals performed on her. After receiving the good news of Jesus Christ, she was saved and baptized. The illness went away. She gave testimony to this, and said it is a miracle from God. She is now a Christian who prays regularly.

In the village of Runyinya, a man by the name Jean Zirarushya was a witch doctor and worked for evil spirits using herbs and a bell. Using these elements, he conducted rituals for those who came to "attain victory.” After hearing the preaching of God's Word, he got saved and baptized. He gathered all of his witchcraft materials and had them burned. He thanks God to have guided him out of the witchcraft.