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 especially in this time of transition in the U.S. and in this difficult time of COVID-19. May the Lord continue to keep you healthy, to keep his hand upon you, and to inspire you in daily life. Updated information on our partnerships follows:
· Scholarships for Presbyterian Students at PIASS
We currently have 52 students at the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS) and we will send seven again this year (one student per presbytery). We still need ministers for the parishes, which now number around 220. We do not have enough pastors yet for every parish to have one.
· Presbyterian Street Children’s Ministry in Kigali
We assist 106 children, but the total number of children helped by the Center this year is 176. We provide counseling, trauma healing, and pastoral care for them. We also organize practical training for some, while others are sent to schools where we pay all charges and school fees. We provide everything they need while we try to find families who will receive them or reintegrate some of them into their own families. It is a difficult job but very important. As we do that for them, we do it for Jesus.
· Christian Education for Presbyterian Children
We engage the Sunday School children so that they can have a place in the church and participate in the life of the church. They are organized into choirs and are accompanied by the elders and pastors. Through these children, we make a connection to their parents and families. Families are the foundation of the church and we have to take care of them. Children are the future of the church and society. I find this ministry very important in the church.
Kicukiro Parish construction is ongoing but considering the COVID-19 situation and the economic struggles in all areas, there is a need for support and prayers to finish this building. We appreciate the work that has been done and we continue our efforts to reach the goal together for the glory of the Lord.
Let me finish my message by expressing my gratitude and my thanks to you and to all sisters and brothers within The Outreach Foundation for accompanying the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda and for being with us in difficult times. This solidarity remains an important sign of hope and life. As the Lord is with us, we don't fear anything. May the Lord continue to support you, to be with you all, and to bless you.
Rev. Dr. Pascal Bataringaya
EPR President
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking scholarships for $2,000 per year for a minimum of seven Presbyterian students at PIASS; $10,000 for food, clothing, and education for the Street Children’s Ministry in Kigali; $10,000 for teaching materials and training for Sunday School teachers as well as for children’s classrooms and children’s Bibles for Christian Education for Presbyterian Children; and $40,000 for new church buildings and an additional $20,000 for roofing, doors, and windows on unfinished sanctuaries for Rwanda Church Construction. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.