Pray for Peace in Rwanda and East Africa

"Pray that people in East Africa will be able to move freely and that refugees will be able to return home."

Emmanuel Mukeshimana from Rwanda

Dear Friends,

This week, please join us in prayer for Emmanuel Mukeshimana from Rwanda.

Located in East Africa, the mountainous country of Rwanda is home to 11.3 million people. According to the 2012 census, 50% of Rwandans are Protestant, 44% Catholic, and 2% Muslim. Rwanda has a very young population (43% under the age of 16) and still bears the scars of the 1994 genocide, during which 500,000 to 1.3 million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 100 days. Tens of thousands of women were raped and widowed. Since the genocide, many Rwandans have converted to Evangelical Christianity and to Islam.

Emmanuel is pursuing a PhD in New Testament at Uganda Christian University. For his dissertation he is exploring Christ’s mission to the poor in Luke's Gospel in order to construct a Christian model for poverty alleviation in Rwanda. Although the Rwandan economy has improved since the genocide, most Rwandans are poor and rely on subsistence farming. Emmanuel hopes that his findings will inform and strengthen the ministry of the Church, and also influence the Rwandan government. Emmanuel and his wife Emilienne have five children: Davis (11), Anabella (8), Daniel (3), Ariella (almost 2), and Adriella (1).

Emmanuel shares the following message:

Greetings in Jesus Name!

I am Rev. Emmanuel Mukeshimana from Rwanda, studying in Uganda. My PhD thesis is “Mission to the Poor in Luke 4:18-19, a Messianic Approach for Poverty Alleviation in Rwanda.”

Here are my prayer requests:

Pray for peace in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, and Eastern Democratic Republic). This region has been the territory of unending conflicts. Pray that people in East Africa will be able to move freely and that refugees will be able to return home.

As for my studies, pray for my viva voce (dissertation defense), which will be scheduled soon. Afterward, I will graduate and pursue suitable employment.

Pray for my family, for God’s protection and provision, and for good Christian schools for my children.

Blessings,

Emmanuel Mukeshimana

If you would like to send a message to Emmanuel, please respond to this e-mail.

Visit our Prayer Community page to subscribe or to view archived prayer letters.

The Church in Disorienting Times: Leading Prophetically Through Adversity

“How can we be salt, light, and yeast that Scripture exhorts us to be when faced with despair? How can we live as active heroes when others expect us to be passive victims?” In light of this summer’s tensions in the Middle East, we invite you to read this collection of essays with contributions by Martin Accad, Yohanna Katanacho, and Elie Hadad, members of the ScholarLeaders Fellowship.

Challenging Tradition: Innovation in Advanced Theological Education

Trained leaders help their congregations understand the Scriptures better so that they are equipped to serve Christ more effectively with their hearts and hands. To read more about what advanced theological education means around the world and about some of the new, creative approaches to teaching and learning, check out this book from Langham Publishing, in which one-third of the contributors are members of the ScholarLeaders Fellowship.

Bethlehem Bible College Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Bethlehem Bible College (BBC) is celebrating its 40th birthday and recently highlighted the three leaders who have served as its academic deans: Salim Munayer, Yohanna Katanacho, and Munther Isaac. ScholarLeaders supported all three for their doctoral work (Langham co-sponsored Yohanna and Munther). We praise God for this school and for these faithful, gifted men. You can read more on BBC’s blog.

Ask Your Friends to Pray with Us

Forward