Category: Events

The Moderators and Vice Moderators of the Presbyteries   participated in a training session on Trauma Healing. The event, took place at Kigali Isano on November 11, 2024 and  organized by EPR in collaboration of A Cup for Humanity.

The goal of this training :

• Every individual in the world is entitled to a life of dignity, with physical and mental well-being as fundamental rights.
• A Cup for Humanity is dedicated to fostering harmonious and peaceful families, supporting survivors of the Genocide, promoting unity and reconciliation, and advocating for the welfare of refugees. Its mission is to eliminate the culture of hatred, nurture the seeds of peace, and prepare future generations to coexist in harmony.

The Presbyterian Church in Rwanda has been engaged in the process of appointing leaders for the Presbyteries, elected by the General Synod  that took place from August 6 to 9, 2024. This event occurred during the outbreak of the Marburg virus, and all activities were conducted in accordance with health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.

The event attracted various guests, including government officials, religious leaders, pastors, and church members from the Presbyteries,

1>  Gitarama Presbytery sept.  22, 2024 : Pastor SIBOMANA Fidèle : Moderator  and Pastor NDAGIJIMANA Rafiki : Vice  Moderator;

2> Kirinda Presbytery on Oct. 6, 2024 : Pastor  UWIMBABAZI Jacqueline : Moderator and Pastor   BAHIVI  Zebedée :  Vice  Moderator;

3> Rubengera Presbytery on Oct. 13, 2024: Pastor  MUSABYIAMANA Vincent : Moderator and Pastor KANEZA Theogène : Vice  Moderator;

4> Gisenyi Presbytery on Oct. 20, 2024 : Pastor KARANGWA Prince:  Moderator and Pastor NIYITEGEKA Bernardin : Vice Moderator;

5> Remera Presbytery on Oct. 27, 2024 : Pastor  BIZIMANA Jérome  : Moderator and Pastor DUSABUMUREMYI Donatien : Vice Moderator;

6> Kigali Presbytery on Nov. 10, 2024 : Pastor Bienvenu Musabyimana : Moderator  and pastor NIWENSHUTI Marcelline : Vice  Moderator;

The church was blessed to collaborate with guests from Germany, including those attending the Alumni conference. The speech of the EPR President focused on advising the leaders of the Presbyteries to use their vocation for the benefit of the faithful and wished them success in their work.

“On the evening of Friday, October 11, 2024, in Karongi, Bethany Investment Group, in collaboration with the VEM organization, hosted an international conference. The event, titled ‘ALUMNI CONFERENCE:” Learning from Local Peace-building Experience for a Global Peace-building Process in an Intercultural Perspective’‘ brought together participants from diverse nations.

Among the attendees were students who had been sponsored for their studies through the VEM partnership, representing countries such as Tanzania, the DRC, Cameroon, Indonesia, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Germany, and Rwanda.

The conference aimed to draw lessons from regional efforts in reconciliation and tolerance, with the overarching goal of advancing global peace through intercultural cooperation.

The participants were welcomed by the President of EPR, who officially opened the conference. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of collective effort in building peace, highlighting the message that ‘we exist for one another.’ He concluded with the statement, ‘I am because you are.’ He continued by saying that working together is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable peace.

At the Isano Center in Kigali, a youth conference was opened, running from September 24 to October 1, 2024. The conference was attended by youth from both Rwanda and Central African Republic, with a total of 19 participants include 10 from the Central African Republic, representing the Protestant Church of Christ the King (EPCRC), and 9 from Rwanda, in  the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR). The Theme was ʺComment les jeunes vivent leur foi chrétienne dans un milieu multicultural”

The conference was officially opened by the Vice President of EPR, who warmly welcomed the participants to Rwanda and assured them that their time, which includes discussions and visits to various sites, would be beneficial.

The President of EPR delivered a presentation covering the history of the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda, including its origins, a brief overview of Rwanda’s history, and the role of the Church in rebuilding the country after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

From August 6th to 9th, 2024, the General Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda (EPR) took place at the Bethany Investment Group /ISANO branch. This important gathering is the highest decision-making body within the EPR and was attended by 60 members; representing 7 presbyteries of the Church. In addition, The EPR representatives, missionary guests from Indonesia on a study trip to Rwanda, exactly in EPR, other guests from the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS), and EPR staff head office were present.

During the Synod, one of the key activities was the election of new Moderators and Vice Moderators  of the presbyteries: Kigali, Zinga, Remera, Gitarama, Rubengera, Kirinda, and Gisenyi. The newly elected Moderators are as follows:

        ZINGA                                                     KIGALI                                                   REMERA                                       GITARAMA

 Past. NKURUNZIZA Paul         Past. MUSABYIMANA Bienvenu      Past. BIZIMANA Jérôme       Past. SIBOMANA Fidèle

      RUBENGERA                                                      KIRINDA                                                      GISENYI

 Past. MUSABYIMANA Vincent      Past. UWIMBABAZI  Jacqueline                Past. KARANGWA Prince

            members of General Synod

The conference, organized by EPR and Joni & Friends, took place over two days, from August 1st to 2nd, at the Isano branch of Bethany Investment Group in Kigali. The event brought together representatives from EPR, moderators of presbyteries, delegate pastors, and staff of the Diakonia and Development Department, which supports the persons  with disabilities.

The conference aimed to support individuals with disabilities, incorporating the Word of God with a focus on healing, as guided by the Bible.

“The presentations given at the conference were as follows :

• Why Minister to people living with disability?
• God’s Sovereignty and disability
• To ward a hopeful view on Healing
• Developing a Health Disability Ministry
• Serving Diverse family in your church
• Disability advocacy in every life

The conference  aimed to rise the awareness for the inclusion of  persons with disability and assisting them by referring to the word of God as a Healing message.

The President of EPR expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Joni & Friends and encouraged all conference participants to share this message with other church members and to strengthen their efforts in advocating for people with disabilities in all aspects of life.