Since 2001 when Africa New Life Ministries started God’s work in Rwanda it has steadily spread its mission of transforming lives and communities through proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and acts of compassion to many regions including the countryside.
Rwanda Dispatch has learnt that Africa New Life Ministries implements this core mission through providing vital services such as education, healthcare and holistic care for the most vulnerable people in Rwandan communities. Simultaneously, through it’s Gospel Arm, Africa New Life has vigorously participated in establishing Churches and Christian discipleship over the last two decades.
Africa New Life Ministries has played a pivotal role in changing the country’s educational system as the beneficiaries of its curriculum compounds other components beyond literacy that are needed to create a complete person.
Much as they believe that education is the key to helping children escape the cycle of poverty, it may not achieve this purpose if it’s detached from growing faith, community development and a healthy body. This evidence-based education system which they vigilantly unveil across the country guarantees success to the beneficiaries.
Aside, Africa New Life Ministries’ approach is providing concrete solutions to poverty because they sponsor the students where many would stake exclusion due to high cost of education.
No wonder, the number of students has been growing over the years from 30 in 2001 to more than 10,500 today. Africa New Life Ministries makes education accessible to especially children from poverty-stricken households across Rwanda through sponsorship which aligns with its mission of reaching out to vulnerable groups.
Notably, the Christian educational institution has successfully created great impact in transforming the livelihoods of the needy children in the country as well as reviving their hope for the future through providing sponsored holistic education.
They break the cycle of poverty by preparing students for the job market and equipping them with employable skills, leadership abilities among others.
The Rwandan students at all education levels get relevant education, blended with vocational skills up to University, and hence beneficiaries are prepared for the competitiveness in the job market locally and beyond.
Owing to the high cost of University education, the College program is selective in choosing the students that qualify for scholarship programmes and hard-working students stand a high chance of continuing with their education. The deserving students undergo a leadership programme, preparing for leadership responsibilities after school.
Undeniably, the alumni of this institution are far ahead of the curve and stand for a true testimony of their mission in communities they serve.
Vision: Transforming lives and communities through proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and acts of compassion.
Mission: Africa New Life Ministries exists to communicate the message of life in Jesus Christ to Africa and all nations.
Africa New Life Ministries attributes all accomplishments to God’s Will and give Him the glory alongside being thankful for the guidance and wisdom in whatever they laid on their hands during the last two decades of existence in Rwanda. On the next pages is a glance of accomplishments since the start of Africa New Life Ministries in 2001 to date:
Achievements Timeline
2001
Africa New Life Ministries established by Pastor Charles Mugisha with his wife, Florence Mugisha, and a group of friends including Marvin Eggleston, Tony Morones, Serena Morones, Marty Granger, Mike Tatlock, and Tim Robnett from the U.S.; Don Egan from England; and Specioza Dusabe Mukazaire and Fred Katagwa from Rwanda. They begin by choosing 29 children for sponsorship. Operational bases to support children in Rwanda begin in San Antonio, TX, and Portland, OR, in the U.S., in London, UK, and in Northern Ireland.
2015
The first graduates of Africa College of Theology receive their diplomas.
Construction begins on the Dream Medical Center. Three new playgrounds are built on community campuses. Construction is completed on New Life Bible Church Bugesera and New Life Bible Church Kageyo (Kageyo B).
2016
Two New Life Christian High School students receive perfect scores on their national exams and are ranked among the top students in the country. New Life Christian High School is internally ranked as third in the country for exam scores.
Africa New Life launches a new sponsorship community in Rubavu, with more than 500 children sponsored in the first month alone.
2017
Construction is completed on the Dream Medical Center and preparations begin for it to open to the public in Spring 2018. Africa New Life now supports more than 140 post-secondary or university students in college and vocational programs around the world.
190 students are now being educated for ministry at Africa College of Theology through its traditional diploma, certificate, and Bachelor’s programs. An additional 500+ individuals per year are taking advantage of TOEFEL and English classes, CPA training, the college discipleship program, and leadership/training partnerships with partnering ministries and organizations. New Life Bible Church Rubavu is launched on Easter Sunday.
2018
More than 9,000 students are now sponsored through Africa New Life. The Dream Medical Center Hospital, the second largest private hospital in Rwanda, opens to the public. Construction is completed on a new church and two new dormitories at New Life Christian High School in Kayonza. More than 1,200 students and parents receive Christ in our communities. 344 ministry leaders, pastors, and high school students graduate from Africa College of Theology.
2019
More than 10,000 students are now sponsored through Africa New Life. More than 700 students are now supported in post-secondary programs through scholarships or sponsorships. Nearly 500 students complete their high school degree or a vocational equivalent through the sponsorship program. Africa New Life launches a new sponsorship community in Karangazi, a rural district in northeastern Rwanda. Planning begins for a sponsorship office and church building. 57 pastors, leading a combined total of more than 10,000 congregants, participate in the first-ever ACT Mobile program, a branch of Africa College of Theology, to receive training in homiletics, discipleship, and more.
2020
Top teachers from our schools collaborate on distance learning materials for students across all grade levels during the COVID-19 school closures. Emergency food relief efforts are launched in response to the devastating economic toll of the pandemic. More than seven million meals are provided through relief packages distributed to students and their families, pastors, women from our vocational training programs, and more. Africa New Life launches a new partnership with Nyamagabe, a rural and mountainous district in south-western Rwanda. Planning begins for an educational sponsorship program and a church in the area. The Food for Tomorrow campaign brings new awareness to and funds for the school lunch programs in Rwanda.
2021
Africa New Life celebrated its 20-year anniversary as a ministry. The Africa College of Theology receives national accreditation from the Rwandan government, becoming one of only two accredited theological institutions in the nation at the start of 2021. Africa New Life launches a new sponsorship community in Gashora, an arid district south of Kigali. Planning begins for a church building and a sponsorship office. Construction is completed on a New Life Bible Church and a sponsorship office in Karangazi. Africa New Life announces a new partnership with Baylor University in Waco, Texas, to bring pop-up medical clinics to communities in Rwanda.
