The Rwanda government has closed around 8,000 churches across the country due to two main concerns: Building standards – relating to noise, health, and safety issues Church Leadership Training – all church leaders must show evidence of formal training Out of the 168 Inkuru Nziza churches in Rwanda only 12 remain open, 156 have been closed. Currently over 20,000 people from our churches now have nowhere to worship regularly. Please pray urgently with us.

THE NEED

The Closure Of The Churches By The Government Means We Are Now Faced With The Following Significant Needs:

Church Buildings –The government has a masterplan which outlines the requirements which must be met before a church can open and operate. All church buildings must meet all building, noise, health, and safety requirements. Funds are needed to improve some existing structures and to fully rebuild other churches.

Church Leaders – Each local church needs at least one of the designated leaders to have a certificate or a diploma from a Bible College in order for a church to remain open. Also, those who lead the Inkuru Nziza Church of Rwanda on a provincial or national board level must hold a Bachelor Degree in Theology recognized by the Rwanda Higher Education Council.

CURRENT ACTION

The Inkuru Nziza leadership is:

• Encouraging believers of a number of churches to work towards meeting the building requirements so they can reopen.
• Encouraging leaders to consider undertaking formal studies to meet the training requirements.
• Developing plans for those churches which need to be completely rebuilt.

PRAYER POINTS
We need your urgent prayers and support at this time:

1. Pray that elders and believers may keep standing firm and serving the Lord and be able to meet the regulations.
2.  Financial support to help Inkuru Nziza move forward to rebuild the churches, as very little contribution can come from the church members.
3.  Financial support to send more leaders to be formally trained.
4. God’s wisdom and strength to enable the elders and the Inkuru Nziza leadership team to be an example to others and to be clearly led by the Lord the true Owner of the church.

More details and updates will follow shortly.

Thanks, and God bless you.

Yours in His Work
Juvenal NGENDAHAYO
Inkuru Nziza Church Rwanda – Legal Representative