Abstract:
This study explored the contribution of "Institut Biblique de Rwankuba"
(IBR) graduates to the extension of Grace Community Churches in Rwanda.
Selected stakeholders were national leaders, regional leaders, and local
church leaders of the towns of Kigali, Ruhengeri, and Gisenyi. Data were
collected through open-ended questions and face-to-face interviews with
twenty-one participants. Responses from the participants were noted down
and read back to the participants for confirmation purposes. Observations
were done during data collection period.
The findings revealed that the contribution of the IBR graduates to the
extension of Grace Community Churches in Rwanda was wide and
significant. The study revealed that Grace Community Churches grew and
extended from one local church to twenty fives local churches, from one
geographical area to different geographical areas in Rwanda. This extension
had happened due to the Rwankuba Bible Institute graduates' involvement in
the interrelated activities of evangelism, preaching, teaching, leadership
development, discipleship and pastoring local churches.
A visual theory of the interrelated and interdependent Christian
ministerial activities in the extension process of Grace Community Churches
was advanced and explained. Recommendations to the IBR graduates and
to Grace Community Churches in Rwanda were made for increasing IBR
graduates' contribution to the extension of Grace Community Churches in
Rwanda in the context of post-war in Rwanda and in the region.
