Presbyterian Church of Rwanda - March 2024 Update

Stu Ross, Africa Mission Specialist for The Outreach Foundation, and his wife Annie were recently hosted by Rev. Dr. Pascal Bataringaya, President of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (EPR). During Stu’s visit, they were able to see three churches in the region. Gakenke Parish Church was the first they visited. This church has been closed for two years because it cannot meet the government standards for electricity and working toilets. Rev. Pascal noted that getting this church opened was a main priority. Money will be donated, and the church should be finished in the next several months.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationMarch 12, 2024EPR, The Presbyterian Church of Rwanda

Devastating Floods in Rwanda

Rwanda recently experienced severe flooding which has caused extensive damage to homes and properties, leaving many families without basic necessities. These families are in desperate need of assistance. The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR) is reaching out to request support in helping these families during their time of need.

Rwanda Appeal: Nyiragongo Eruption and Earthquakes

The Outreach Foundation received this information from Rev Dr. Pascal Bataringaya, EPR President regarding the effects of the volcanic eruption and earthquakes in Rwanda:

Nyiragongo, one of eight regional volcanoes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, started erupting around 6:00 p.m. on May 22, 2021. This eruption caused people in Goma (DRC) to panic and flee to Rwanda, mainly to the Rubavu District. Consequently, the people of the Gisenyi (Rubavu) region have been strongly affected by the volcanic eruption.

The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda - February 2021 Update

The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR) has more than 300,000 members and is composed of seven autonomous presbyteries located all around the country. There is an office of the General Synod, which acts as the headquarters of the church, in Kigali. The Head Office oversees most of the administration and organization of the church. Like other institutions in Rwanda, the 1994 genocide affected the church which lost sixteen of its pastors and many members. Since the genocide, much emphasis has been placed on training the younger generation in peacebuilding and reconciliation, but the church also faces the challenge of caring for many orphans and widows, most of whom still suffer from trauma. We recently received this update on Outreach/EPR partnerships from EPR President Rev. Dr. Pascal Bataringaya:

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best and blessings in this new year 2021. We are still facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a very complicated situation, but we keep our hope and our faith in God and we know that he is in control. We keep you in our prayers

Scholarships for Presbyterian Students at PIASS - November 2020 Update

Dear friends,

We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Outreach Foundation is committed to helping equip the global church with capable leaders, particularly in areas like Rwanda where the church is growing. The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR for the French name “Eglise Presbyterienne au Rwanda”), needs trained pastors for their many young and vibrant congregations. In recent years, Outreach and partners have helped train five pastors who graduated from the theology department at the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS) and are now leaders of EPR congregations. There are currently several Presbyterian students sponsored by The Outreach Foundation in the theology program. This update includes stories from two of these students who are studying at PIASS thanks to your generous gifts.

The Presbyterian Church of Rwanda - Update

We received this letter from the Rev. Julie Kandema, who serves as vice-president of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (EPR) and is in charge of church growth for the denomination:

Dear friends,

Over the last five years, we have been teaching our people about decentralization within the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda. As a result of many training sessions, people have testified that they now understand the idea of taking responsibility for church operations in general and the development of its people in particular. The results have been positive, leading people to take charge of projects such as building new churches and renovating existing church buildings.

To accomplish these projects, the parishioners organize fundraising activities and collect tithes and contributions. When the church is blessed with a partner in support of these activities, it is truly an encouragement and means that the congregation is not alone.

Last year when the government decided to shut down churches which were not meeting standards, the EPR was not spared. Many of our congregations struggled and our members had to work hard to have their building reopened.

Africa, Projects, Vulnerable ChildrenThe Outreach FoundationSeptember 5, 2019The Presbyterian Church of Rwanda, Rwanda

Partner Updates