THE General has approved the upgrade of The Salvation Army’s work in Rwanda and Burundi from regional to command status, as of 1 April 2010.
The Salvation Army first became actively involved in relief work in Rwanda in September 1994, when the country had been ravaged by civil war and genocide. Operations were concentrated initially in the Kayenzi Commune. Following mission outreach by Salvation Army officers from other African countries, the Kayenzi Corps officially began its ministry on 5 November 1995, but it was not until 15 September 2008 that The Salvation Army achieved registration as a Church in Rwanda, by which time the Army’s influence had spread into neighbouring Burundi. Work went on there under the supervision of Salvation Army leaders in Rwanda.
In October 2008 the Army’s work in Rwanda and Burundi was officially brought together into one command unit, known as the Rwanda and Burundi Region. The work has been blessed by God and has continued to grow in strength and effectiveness, leading to the decision to re-designate our work there as the Rwanda and Burundi Command.
The leaders of our work are consequently assigned as command leaders – Majors Stephen and Grace Chepkurui respectively as Officer Commanding and Command President of Women’s Ministries, and Captains Jean and Elianese Clenat respectively as General Secretary and Command Secretary for Women’s Ministries.
Salvationists are asked to pray for God’s ongoing blessing upon our comrades in Rwanda and Burundi.
