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Will we have Christian churches in Rwanda in 2124?

My church history professor used to joke that the post-colonial missionaries who introduced Christianity in Africa were in a hurry. I’m not quite sure what to make of this “joke,” but there’s some truth to it. Many of these missionaries didn’t establish the necessary structures to support the long-term growth of the church, such as theological schools or research centers. Decades later, we are still grappling with the consequences.

Today, the Church in Rwanda finds itself in a rapidly progressing and modernizing nation, yet our understanding of the church and its role in the community often feels outdated. Many church members still hold onto the idea of a church on a hill where people gather the whole Sunday to pray, and where children spend Saturday all day practicing for Sunday presentations, Don’t get me wrong—I’m not against this vision of the church. It’s the church I grew up in, and it has shaped my thinking on many issues.

However, Rwanda has undergone significant reforms across various sectors—private businesses, healthcare, politics, and education but left the church behind. These waves of change have reshaped the nation. While the need for similar reforms in faith-based organizations has been recognized for some time, I want to focus on the 2018 legal framework drafted by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) under Professor Shyaka’s leadership.

This law, for better or worse, was enacted after passing through the Rwanda Reform Commission. The responses from government officials, church leaders, and church members were mixed, with both positive and negative reactions.

But rather than dwell on these reactions, I want to ask some critical questions here: Can the Church in Rwanda envision what it will look like in 100 years? Can we begin building the necessary foundations and pillars for the future church today? Is it possible for umbrella organizations to develop compliance and auditing bodies to ensure that the churches they represent adhere to national laws?

Moreover, can the Rwandan church advocate for and establish strong faith-based organizations that will support its growth? We need seminaries, universities, research centers, media companies, Apologetics ministries, Christian think tanks, mission boards, and professional Christian associations across various fields.

We are living in a crucial era for the future of Christianity in Rwanda. Church leaders, and Christian leaders in general, must not only address the challenges we face today but also think deeply about the state of the church in the decades to come. We cannot afford to leave the next generation—Generation Alpha and beyond—with a version of Christianity that is ill-equipped to address the moral decay, delinquency, and societal challenges they will face. We cannot hand them a church that can’t advocate for laws that promote peace and fight for religious freedoms.

Current leaders must be willing to think strategically, act decisively, and provide a framework that will support the future church. This kind of sacrificial leadership is essential for the well-being and flourishing of the future church in Rwanda.

Though this vision may seem daunting, there are practical steps we can take wherever we are. Here are a few suggestions: invest in Sunday school programs, plan for leadership transitions, educate the clergy, establish Christian professional associations, document and broadcast the impact of the church in Rwanda, pray for the church, support community outreach initiatives led by churches, and share this article to spark discussions on the future of the church in Rwanda.