07/26/26 Rwanda 2026 Overview

We have just returned form am amazing ten day trip to Rwanda!  Our Global Baptist Training Foundation trips usually are multi-faceted, and this trip was no exception.  We had a training class (Apologetics) for about 155 of our GBTF leadership, trainers, and church planters.   In addition, we had a team from Two Cities Church in North Carolina (that included our son-in-law and twin grandsons) who led three days of outreach in some of the most remote villages we have encountered to date working with the church and pastor highlighted below!  Our daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren from Florida participated in both of these GBTF activities. We had a graduation, participated in a baptism, distributed Bibles purchased by VBS children in Rhode Island, enjoyed a Rwandan church service, and even enjoyed the wildlife in a national park!  Over the next few weeks, we will take these events one at a time and highlight them with pictures and videos.  

For today, we want to share a testimony that will encompass most aspects of this trip.  Meet Pastor Manasse (full name and location withheld for safety):

-graduated from GBTF in 2024

-returned to his remote community and planted a church

-saw the extreme need for education among the vulnerable community and started a school alongside the local church

“I am Pastor Manasse, and I am 40 years old.  I am married and have been blessed with four children – two daughters and two sons.  In addition to our own children, my family is raising two orphaned girls, making our household a family of eight.  Although providing for such a large family is not easy, I have always believed that growing in knowledge and serving God faithfully are worth every sacrifice.   By God’s grace, I remain committed to preaching the Gospel, serving my community, and sharing Christ’s love with others.

In 2023, I heard that GBTF class was starting trainings in Rutsiro District, Western Province. I strongly desired to attend, but I did not have enough money to pay for transportation and food during the training. After discussing it with my wife, we agreed to sell our two goats so that I could participate. We believed that after completing the training, God would help us buy goats again. It was not an easy decision, but we chose to invest in the opportunity to learn and grow in ministry. Looking back, I thank God for giving us the faith and courage to make that sacrifice, knowing that the training would not only benefit me but also my family, and the community I serve.”

Manasse is the face of GBTF: the pastor that had no chance at theological training, working in a remote village area in the mountains, and doing God’s work  he is now a GBTF trainer training other pastors and church leaders in the eastern part of Rwanda!  We heard the story of his selling his goats, and we were thrilled to get to know Pastor Manasse and work alongside his church plant.  Today, he had 47 people come to church and profess that they accepted Christ this week while the team was holding village evangelism outreach.  These 47 came today for baptism and church membership!   

GBTF has once again confirmed that training nationals produces exponential results.   

Bruce and Grace Snavely

Global Baptist Training Foundation
www.globaltrain.org