There are two reasons Austin Bible should partner with Africa New Life Ministries, and “because they need us” is not one of them. God’s hand is on this ministry and He is going to bless these efforts whether or not we partner. The first reason is because of leadership. Charles Mugishu is a big-picture visionary leader who has built a team of sold-out, high capacity leaders. At every turn, Andrew Schulz and I were saying, “That person is perfect for the job he or she has been given.” And being that Rwanda is halfway around the world, confidence in local, indigenous leadership is everything.
The second reason, though, is what I see as most significant. I believe Rwanda is in the midst of quite possibly the most fertile season of gospel growth in its history and in its future as a country. The country still bears the humility and brokenness of a genocide where over 1 million people were slaughtered, 4 million were displaced to neighboring countries or refugee camps, and no person survived the genocide unaffected. Yet, only 15 years later, the joy and warmth and openness is overwhelming. Rwanda has received the best the Western world can give…stability (no more blind eye to genocide, bursting economy) and Christianity. Yet at the same time, all the junk of the West is on its way as well. Christianity is simple right now in Rwanda. Preach the word, do acts of mercy and people come to Christ. This is a unique window of opportunity to partner with an exceptional ministry in its most fertile season for gospel growth.