Rwanda UMC Comprehensive Evangelism Initiative

The provision of musical equipment and material to assist the evangelism efforts of local churches.

The use of electronic technology for worship in Rwanda is rapidly spreading and is popular, particularly for younger persons. Because the majority of congregants in most Rwandan United Methodist churches are impoverished, churches have been experiencing difficulty in keeping up with technological advances for worship and the United Methodist Church in Rwanda has lagged significantly in the use of electronic resources for worship. This has had a detrimental effect on the growth of existing United Methodist churches in Rwanda, and has dampened evangelism efforts. Presently, the drum is the primary musical instrument used in worship, but most younger persons prefer that songs that are accompanied by musical instruments such as keyboards. Pastors and congregations also are in need of evangelism resources and training in evangelism to accompany worship enhanced by electronic music in order to better recruit and retain members.

The project will increase the capacity of United Methodist congregations and pastors in the Rwanda Provisional Conference to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, recruit new members, and retain congregation members. The provision of music keyboards will enable local churches to attract young persons and retain their membership. Evangelism resources and training will equip pastors and church cogregations to better engage in ministries of evangelism and Christian witness.

The primary goal of the project is to stimulate the growth and vitality of Rwandan church congregations, increase their potential for self-sufficiency, and increase their capacity for attracting and retaining youth into their membership. The resulting enthusiasm and hope exhibited by Rwandan congregations will increase new church starts and growth of the United Methodist Church in Rwanda.

Progress of the church will be measured by 1. Increase in the number of young adults and youth who join Rwandan United Methodist churches and participate in church life (goal – 30% by June, 2019). 2. A corresponding 40% growth in the membership of United Methodist churches in Rwanda by June, 2019. 3. A 10% increase in the number of new faith comunities started in Rwanda by June 2019. 4. An increase in congregational giving and progress of United Methodist churches in Rwanda toward self-sufficiency. 5. The use of music keyboards for worship in all Rwandan congregations by March, 2019.