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Rwanda is the most densely populated region of Africa. It is also well known in history for the infamous genocide that occurred there in 1994. Christianity grew tremendously in Africa over the 20th century, from 9% Christian in 1900 to nearly 50% Christian in 2020. Rwanda is near the epicenter of that growth in Central Africa. The 2026 Conference in the capital city of Kigali hopes to reach, train and motivate church leaders in that (and other regions). The current President of Rwanda played a role in ending the massacre between Hutus and Tutsis and now leads a government with a priority of reconciliation. Given the history of the massacre of 1994, the theme of "The Peacemakers" is very apt. (Operation World Report and Prayer Requests for Rwanda) . My goal is that my testimony (like in Nepal in 2025) will lead others to Christ and bring hope to Christian leaders in other regions of the world.
Worship at the Conference (YouTube Short)Program, schedule and speakers for Rwanda ConferenceVideo: Rwanda Conference and Messaage
Rwanda Brochure
Bible Studies on Peacemaking
Preparation for the Conference
Resources on RwandaConference Resources:
Program Bulletin Bible Studies Brochure Websites: https://www.rwandanstories.org https://www.refworld.org/reference/countryrep/hrw/1999/97537 (Detailed history of the Genocide) https://iwitness.usc.edu/activities/576 (Lesson on Rwandan Genocide) Books: A History of Rwanda From the Monarchy to Post-genocidal Justice A Thousand Hills: Rwanda's Rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed It Accounting For Horror: Post-Genocide Debates in Rwanda After Genocide: Memory and Reconciliation in Rwanda After the Genocide in Rwanda: Testimonies of Violence, Change and Reconciliation As We Forgive: Stories of Reconciliation from Rwanda Becoming Human Again: An Oral History of the Rwanda Genocide Against the Tutsi Beyond Ethnic Loneliness: The Pain of Marginalization and the Path to Belonging Christianity and Genocide in Rwanda Committed to conflict: the destruction of the church in Rwanda Eyewitness to genocide: The United Nations and Rwanda Inside the Hotel Rwanda The Surprising True Story ... and Why It Matters Today Kagame: Conversations with the President Left To Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust Me Against My Brother - At War in Somalia, Sudan and Rwanda Mirror to the Church: Resurrecting Faith after Genocide in Rwanda Peacemaking in a violent world Peacemaking in Rwanda: The Dynamics of Failure Rwanda Before the Genocide: Catholic Politics and Ethnic Discourse in the Late Colonial Era Rwanda: its cultural heritage, past, and present (available by email) Rwanda: towards reconciliation, good governance & development (available by email) The angels have left us: the Rwanda tragedy and the churches The Gacaca Courts, Post-Genocide Justice and Reconciliation in Rwanda Justice without Lawyers The Media and the Rwanda Genocide The Rwanda crisis: history of a genocide (available by email) Visiting_Rwanda When Victims Become Killers Colonialism, Nativism, and the Genocide in Rwanda Whispering Truth to Power Everyday Resistance to Reconciliation in Post-genocide Rwanda Videos: A Very short history of Rwanda What caused the Rwandan Genocide? Blessed are the peacemakers: Survivors of the Nyange school massacre Why nobody stopped the Rwandan genocide I Saw People Being Beheaded And Eaten By Dogs Itinerary of Conference
March 15- April 30 - Registration Open June 30 - Arrival and orientation July 1 - Speakers and Brenda's testimony (4-4:30) July 2 - Speaker's and Pastor Rashid's testimony (4-4:30) July 3 - Speakers and Q and A sessions July 4 - Foot washing, Holy Sacrament and City Tour July 5 - Church visits July 6 - Departure |
Stories of PeacemakersGeography and History of Rwanda
Geography
Rwanda is one of the smallest counties in the world (148th) but has one of the highest in population density (21st in the world). The Hutus, majority of the population, are mostly peasant famers (the poorest in Rwanda) whereas the minority Tutsis are mostly cattle breeders (the wealthiest class in Rwanda). The lack of sufficient land causes conflict between these two groups. Early History The Tutsi dominated politics under the Tutsi king and often the rule was unfair to the majority population of Hutus. Colonial History Germany colonized Rwanda around 1900, favoring the Tutsi as the superior race. The Germans helped the Tutsi put down a Hutu revolt in 1911. At the end of World War I, Germany was removed from control of Rwanda and it went to Belgium (1916). The Belgians introduced coffee as a major cash crop and also favored the Tutsi, leaving Hutus as indentured servants. After World War II, the UN made Rwanda a UN trust territory and the Belgians left. Post-War/Republic/Independence Era In 1959, ethnic tensions led to loss of power for the Tutsis and many were exiled to neighboring countries. Democratic elections in 1960 led to removal of the Tutsi monarch and dominance of Hutu representatives. The country was also divided between Rwanda and Burundi. In 1963 violence erupted between Hutus (who dominated Rwanda) and Tutsis (who dominated Burundi). In 1975, a military dictatorship took over Rwanda leading to more violence, discrimination and exile of Tutsis. The Tutsi dominated government of Burundi engaged in genocide against Hutus in 1972. Tutsi-Hutu civil war in Burundi spills over into Rwanda in 1993. Rwandan Genocide (1994)On April 6, 1994, a plane carrying the presidents of Rwanda and Burundi crashed killing both men. The crash was blamed on Tutsis, and violent attacks of Hutus ensued against Tutsi communities leading to the Rwandan massacre or genocide.
Pre-Genocide Peace Efforts
Post-Conflict Restoration and Justice
Modern Reconciliation
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Photo gallery: Missions in Rwanda
