On Friday morning, while we were on our way to teach the Ruhango church leaders the “Five Purposes of the Church,” Theophile received a phone call. It was one of the church leaders from Ruhengeri where we had taught the same lessons in October. He called to say “thank you” and how much difference the teaching had made in the church he leads and the other churches in the area. His testimony was the churches had made progress numerically and spiritually as they applied what they had learned.

On the second day of the teaching, we have the church leaders make decisions about application in the local churches. The Rwanda Challenge model; we partner with local church leaders to teach God’s truth. If they know God’s truth, they are better prepared to apply that truth to their culture than I am. We encourage that where they discover new things or correct old thoughts about what the Bible teaches - have the courage to put it into practice! 

     Joshua 1:6-9 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the      land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all        the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then        you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day      and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all      you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord        your God is with you wherever you go.” New Living Translation

Yesterday, Theophile and I concluded our final study for this trip. There were twenty-one church leaders from ten different denominations:

Presbyterian Church of Rwanda
Free Methodist Church of Rwanda
Association of Pentecostal Churches of Rwanda
Nazarene Church International of Rwanda
Anglican Church of Rwanda
United Baptist Church of Rwanda
Evangelical Friends (Quakers) Church of Rwanda
Assemblies of God of Rwanda
Zion Temple
Patmos Church                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Each of these local churches belong to one forum in the Ruhango District in the South Province. They were a great group and seemed to quickly understand in a deeper way the five purposes of God’s Church. They have asked us to come back to study the “Three Lessons on the Holy Spirit.” One of the church leaders goes into a large prison which has many churches. He has asked Rwanda Challenge to come and teach the church leaders in the prison.