In 2008 Church of the Apostles in Raleigh, NC, began a Sister-to-Sister Partnership with Church of Gikomero in the Shyogwe Diocese. The goal of this partnership is to foster and increase meaningful relationships and ongoing mutual interaction for the furtherance of the Gospel and mutual growth in Christ, acknowledging respective cultural differences and challenges. We thank God for the deep relationships which He is forming between Church
We are partners with Christ in the redemption of all things. In July 2009 the first Rwanda Partnership traveled to Rwanda. Since 2009, five teams have made the journey to share time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Several people have visited 3 to 4 times. Also, Bishop KALIMBA and Eugenie have visited Church of the Apostles. We have a deep love for our brothers and sisters in Christ of Shyogwe Diocese, Church of Gikomero and Rwanda.
The Lord is using the relationship with Shyogwe Diocese to change the lives of team members. Sam Bass was a team member in 2013. As a result of the Partnership with Shyogwe Diocese and his financial background, Sam was recruited by Archbishop RWAJE to develop the Rwanda Sustainability Project. Hillary Dotson spent a year teaching at Sonrise School in 2014-2015. Church of the Apostles worked with Church of Gikomero in building a Well project, provided a roof for the Church, contributed to the HIV/Aids ministry, participated with Embrace Rwanda to provide goats for the Healthy Mum’s Project and Pastors have shared ways to study the Bible.
In 2015 time was spent sharing Prayer Ministry and visiting members of Gikomero Church in their homes. Also, with letters of recommendation Church of the Apostles is trying to help the Diocese obtain approval for Gikomero to receive a Compassion International Project. Currently, Church of the Apostles and Redeemer Anglican Church are sponsoring 76 children in Shyogwe Diocese and Rwanda through Compassion International.
Philippians 1:3-7 speaks beautifully of the love Christ Church of the Apostles holds in our hearts for Shyogwe Diocese and Church of Gikomero. In Paul’s letter he says, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace.”
Church of the Apostles is grateful for the opportunity to share a deep relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Imana ishimwe! Yesu ashimwe!
Teresa, from Church of the Apostles
Rev Joseph, from Shyogwe Diocese