43.4 F
Memphis
Friday, March 29, 2024

Buy now

spot_img

An unexpected opportunity in Rwanda

by Rev. Noel G. L. Hutchinson Jr. 

The Rev. Noel G. L. Hutchinson Jr. packing for Rwanda. (Courtesy photo)

I’m on my way to Rwanda. Yes, in Africa. Yes, that country.

In 1994, there was mass genocide that made headlines all over the world. Over 1 million people died. That’s probably most of what you know about this landlocked country. Yet there is more.

In the last 20 years, it’s gone through a resurgence. The capital, Kigali, is quickly becoming one of the major tech centers on the continent. Women make up 64 percent of the national legislature.

It’s come a far way in 20 years, and I will see it firsthand. How? Why?

I recently became Mission Director for the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC), which was the denominational home of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and a clarion voice of social justice in the church today, with 2.5 million members across the globe. This past August, contacts in Rwanda reached out for assistance.

We learned that a recent law passed through the legislature closed over 700 churches. The government took this action due to the need for better control over safety standards for church buildings. Churches also were required to have trained clergy leading them in an effort to cut down on those motivated by greed in defrauding followers.

After some conversations, we saw that we could best be helpful in assisting in training leaders in theological education. We also are in talks with a Bible college having national reach in the U.S. for partnership in this effort.

From December 3-8, there will be a leadership conference with over 200 pastors from across Rwanda, and I’ve been asked to be a keynote speaker. I’ll be responsible for teaching and preaching during this time.

In the days preceding the conference, I’ll be meeting with government officials and the local seminary to see what a partnership with local pastors and churches in Rwanda concerning theological education could look like.

Our purpose is to work with those in the country to expand, through online courses and week-long intensives, training for leaders who can then train their fellow citizens. In this way, we seek to empower those in Rwanda to eventually empower themselves.

During my time in Rwanda I’ll be blogging various developments. Depending on what’s available, I may also vlog. Regardless of which means I use, you will see the developments of this trip. When I return, a video chronicling the trip will be done.

I hope through these means that you will travel to the Motherland with me through my words.

Please pray for the ongoing success of this trip, and our potential work.

Related Articles

Stay Connected

21,507FansLike
2,634FollowersFollow
17,200SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -spot_img

Latest Articles