The Core Values

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Rwanda Challenge will focus on being RELATIONAL, CULTURAL, SUSTAINABLE AND REPRODUCIBLE.

Relational
Poverty is often seen in the lack of material resources, but at its essence poverty is always a relationship issue. The gift of relationship is the starting point of ministry for Rwanda Challenge.

Cultural
Rwanda Challenge is not called to influence the Church in Rwanda to look like the Church in America. Rwandan leaders who know God's Word are much better prepared to apply God's truth in their culture.
Sustainable
Each time we get on a plane to leave Rwanda we are faced with this question: To what degree can the last ministry initiative continue without us? If what we have done is not sustainable, we are in danger of creating dependency.

Reproducible
We desire to teach church leaders the Bible, but if that is all we do, we have misunderstood God's plan. Equipping Rwandan Church leaders who have the capacity to equip other leaders is the goal.

Core Beliefs...

  • There is one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect, loving and just, all-knowing, and eternally existing in three persons -- God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
  • Every person is created in God's image and has been created for an eternal relationship with God. 
  • Every person has separated themselves from a relationship with God because of their sin.
  • Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He died for our sins, rose from the dead and will return again to claim each of us who have a personal relationship with Him.
  • The day will come when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
  • The Church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to continue the task of going into all the world to assist others in following Jesus. 
  • The Bible is the inspired word of God and is the final authority in life and doctrine. 

Some Implications...

  • The God who loves every middle class family living in the suburbs of America is the same God who loves the lonely widow in a village in Rwanda.
  • Every person in the world has value and should be treated with dignity.
  • We are not better than other people. Rwandans are sinners before God just like us.
  • God has called His Church to love people by alleviating poverty and caring for the sick. But we must never forget that the deepest need of every person is an eternal relationship with Jesus. The Church's response to these issues is Good News.

  • Every person is given one life to submit to Jesus as Leader and Forgiver.
  • If you want to help a nation, strengthen the local church. If you want to strengthen the local church, equip the leaders. If you want to equip the leaders, start with the Bible.
  • A nation without God’s guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God’s law!   
    Proverbs 29:18 The Good News Translation