09.08.2024

Holistic Understanding of Mission

Bishop Dr Abednego Keshomshahara, UEM Moderator, visits Kigeme Diocese of EAR in Ruanda; Photo: UEM

Visit of the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Studies (PIASS); Photo: UEM

UEM Moderator, Dr Abednego Keshomshahara, Bishop of the ELCT/NWD* from Tanzania, visited the member churches of the United Evangelical Mission in Rwanda, EPR*, EAR* and the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS) from June 20 to 27, 2024: "I had a fantastic visit with the UEM members in Rwanda. I gained many impressions of church holistic mission work, love and hospitality. While visiting the EPR, the EAR Dioceses and their institutions, I witnessed how the UEM members in Rwanda care, not only for people’s spiritual needs, but also human physical needs, emotional needs and psychological needs. I saw community transformation being achieved as one the goals of the UEM holistic mission."

While visiting the EPR, Bishop Dr Keshomshahara took time to learn about the project at Busanza Itetero Center, which runs its four main programs in a center for children with disabilities consisting of education, health, economic empowerment, counseling and home visits.

During the visits to the EAR dioceses of Shyogwe, Butare and Kigeme, the UEM moderator took part in church services: "It was a great joy to attend the confirmation of over 100 people in Bugarama parish, Kigeme diocese. 7 parishioners were appointed to lay leadership to support the pastors in growing evangelization. In the evening, I participated in a grassroots prayer group where neighbors come together to share their concerns, pray, discuss their social and economic situation, and encourage each other through unity, reconciliation."

The Sisterhood Community of the Diocese of Kigeme presented their social engagement: "It is hoped that the sisterhood communities in the three UEM regions will come together to pool their efforts, revitalize and work together to realize their visions. The younger generation is asking and is ready to participate," says Bishop Assiel Musabyimana from EAR Kigeme.

As part of his trip to UEM member churches and associated institutions in Rwanda, Keshomshahara visited the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS) on June 25, 2024. His presentation to PIASS students, faculty and church representatives was titled: "The Church and Poverty Reduction in East African Community Countries". He discussed different levels of poverty in the East African context and emphasized the need to challenge negative attitudes towards business and corporations and to avoid misleading theologies that promise solutions they cannot deliver. "As Mahatma Gandhi said: ‘the world has enough resources to satisfy human needs, but not enough to satisfy human greed’", said the UEM moderator.

During the panel discussion, the role of churches in the fight against poverty was emphasized. Cooperation between states and churches for the promotion of service and production economies, industrialization, infrastructure development and free education is crucial. Bishop Dr Keshomshahara concluded by calling on all Christians to actively participate in poverty alleviation efforts.

_{*EAR = Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda (Anglican Church of Rwanda)}

_{*ELCT/NWD = North-Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania} 

_{*EPR = Eglise Presbytérienne au Rwanda (Presbytarien Church in Rwanda)}