We have received a request through the SDB World Federation from our brothers and sisters in Rwanda to join them in prayer and fasting this coming Sunday, April 27, 2025. Some will recall that last fall, we relayed a need in Rwanda for assistance in two areas: upgrading their facilities and training their leadership. This request came in response to mandated changes from the Rwandan government which created a significant burden on churches like SDBs, and closed them until such times as the new standards for occupancy of church buildings were met. Even more, Evangelical churches like Seventh Day Baptists who do not have significant infrastructure are being disproportionally impacted by this decision.
With the generous support of SDBs around the world, Rwandan SDBs have made significant progress towards meeting the standards, with three of the thirteen churches reopened and work continuing on several of the others. Our brothers and sisters there are doing good work.
Unfortunately, the Rwandan government has now released additional standards which are even more stringent than the ones which were previously released which raises the bar still higher for our churches by February of 2026. In response to the notice of these new standards, the Rwandans have called for a day of joint prayer and fasting. Pastor Jean de Dieu Karimutumye, the leader of the Conference in Rwanda, in his request, writes:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As you know, the church in Rwanda is in difficult times, it works in a special conditions.10/13
local churches still closed, new regulations are now published in official gazette this last
March 2025 to be fulfill by February 2026. These regulations include a letter of collaboration
with the district in which our Church is located; having the pastors of the local Church having
Bachelor degree with training (completing 1200 hours of courses) in theology. On that, we
must have at least 15 pastors with the required studies level. And yet we have only 9 people
with Bachelor degree and Two with diploma. Among them, 3 had the chance to finish the
training of Bible Studies in SDB Africa Bible College.On this, we organized a day of Prayer and Fasting at conference level on 27/04/2025 in
order that God can give us guidance to these challenges. The theme of day is “Our God is
able” with two main topics that we will pray for:1. The unity and strength of church believers;
2. Solution to Obstacles of God’s Work that we meet here in RwandaThus, we are pleased to invite you to bring us together in unity and reflection. We hope that,
this special occasion will offer us the opportunity to receive divine guidance, and continued
strength and success in our work and lives.We warmly invite you to join us for this significant event. Your spiritual presence will be a
blessing while we meet in faith and communion.Yours in Jesus Christ name, Pastor Jean de Dieu Karimutumye
We invite you to join our brothers and sisters in Rwanda this coming Sunday as we seek God’s will and plan for them to continue in their work. May God give guidance and grace to His people in the form of encouragement and a pathway forward.
