06.12.2023

From Shyira to Butare

Until December 10, the Rev Christophe Nshimyimana is Bishop Elect, then he will be consecrated officially. Photo by: EAR

“It is a blessing to have the Rev. Christophe Nshimyimana as a new Bishop. He has gained diverse experiences as a pastor, as a church administrator and academic teacher. Especially in a University City like Butare, with its enormous potential for young people, this is a big advantage and a real blessing”, says Rev. Dr. John Wesley Kabango, member of the UEM Management Team and Executive Secretary of the Africa department.

The Archbishop of the EAR*, the Right Reverend Dr Mbanda Laurent, has informed him that on the 4^th of October 2023, the EAR Diocese of Butare has a Bishop Elect, the Rev Christophe Nshimyimana (photo). He will follow Bishop Nathan Gasatura who retired two years and seven months ago.

The consecration of the new Bishop is scheduled on Sunday, 10^th December 2023. Rev Christophe Nshimyimana has been ordained in January 2010 and has been an active church Co-worker with various responsibilities.

Rev. Christophe Nshimyimana holds a Master’s Degree in Education and is a PhD candidate in Education Administration and Management. He has served as an associate Pastor at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in EAR Shyira Diocese for almost nine years. He worked in East African Christian College (EACC) for the last two years and half as the Dean of Faculty of Education: May 2021-November 2023.

He served in the National office of the Anglican Church of Rwanda as the coordinator of Community Bible Study International for almost three years: August 2018-April 2021. He worked in Shyira Diocese as the coordinator of Diocesan schools for six years: 2010-2016 and has been vice principal in charge of Administration and Finance at Muhabura Integrated Polytechnic College: August 2016 - July 2018. In Shyira Diocese he worked with different diocesan partners as focal point person: Archbishop's Anglican Aid/Australia, Hope global/Australia and others and has been actively involved in the establishment of church based Early Childhood Development centers.

He worked as associate Pastor at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Gasabo Diocese for almost three years and senior Pastor of All saints Parish/Kimironko (in EAR Gasabo Diocese) for two years.

About the EAR Butare Diocese:

Since 19^th October 1975, the EAR Butare was the second diocese of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, led by late Bishop Ndandali Justin (1975-1995), Bishop Mutiganda Venuste (1995-2007) and Bishop Gasatura Nathan (2009-20021). In 1992, Butare Diocese gave birth to other three EAR dioceses of Cyangugu, Kigeme and Shyogwe. Together the 4 dioceses are one member of the United Evangelical Mission.

Since 1985, the EAR Butare Diocese has a strong church partnership with the Saar-Ost District (formerly Ottweiler) of the EkiR*. The partnership work implemented many social projects that are thankfully remembered to this day. Some were jointly carried out in cooperation with UEM regular support, including education in various fields, agriculture & animal rearing, reconciliation and support to youth and women groups. A special focus on their joint efforts was on making them holistically.

UEM prays and wishes the EAR leadership and Bishop Elect Christoph Nshimyimana God’s guidance and blessings. 

*EAR = Église Anglicane du Rwanda (Anglican Church in Rwanda)

*EKiR = Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland (Evangelical Church in the Rhineland)