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.

Rwanda Church Construction - December 2019 Update

The day the Mutuntu sanctuary was dedicated, my devotional reading was from the prophet Ezekiel. It is a vibrant image of the Temple in Jerusalem as the fount of water that renews the face of the earth. Visions are complicated things to understand. However, when you know the parish of Mutuntu, which happens to be my home parish, this scripture and the vision about a glorious Temple make so much sense. It is true that this Temple is not so much a building but a representation of the body of Christ; both the physical body of the Church sanctuary and the “spiritual” body of Christ through the saints in worship.

When we arrived for the dedication, the church building was already packed and the church grounds full. We were told that this sanctuary had been under construction for more than ten years. Ezekiel makes a great deal of the cleansing and purifying properties of the water which flows from the Temple. Imagine yourself in the place of Ezekiel in the vision, just watching this water flowing on the hills of Mutuntu and the surrounding villages. Think about it for a minute – that in the present day, there is an opportunity like this to build and to equip the church with the capacity to proclaim healing in places like Mutuntu.

Africa, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationDecember 19, 2019Rwanda Church Construction, rwanda

The Presbyterian Church of Rwanda - April 2019 Update

Casting the Nets into Deep Waters: Story of the Fishermen

A group from First Presbyterian Church Nashville, TN led by Outreach Program and Project Coordinator Ebralie Mwizerwa, traveled to Rwanda in early March to visit the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (EPR). Luke 5:1-11 was the theme of the trip. Other team members were Sara DeVries, Parish DeVries, Erika Shapiro, Ada Shapiro, Kendall Posey, Tinsley Sheppard, and Dr. Jennifer Ellis from FPC Clarksville, TN.

Sara DeVries described her first moments in Rwanda: “We stepped out of the airplane into the fresh, thick Rwandan air, the night sky was clear, and the lights twinkled in the distance. We were greeted by EPR Vice-President Rev. Julie Kandema, Kigali Presbytery Vice-President Rev. Julius Ngendahayo, Kanombe congregation pastor Rev. Denys Niyonsenga, and many youths…

Scholarships for Presbyterians at Protestant University in Rwanda - Update

Dear friends and supporters,

Note from The Outreach Foundation:
Outreach partners with the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda in many programs including church construction, children’s ministries, and training pastors for the growing churches around the country. There are four students graduating this year who have been supported through this project. We would like to continue helping the church, particularly during this time of fulfilling Rwandan government requirements for churches. Please know that the need to train leaders for the Rwandan church is a priority for us. We would like to say “thank you” on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Rwanda and share with you these praises from the students themselves – in their own words.

Partner Updates