Sunday, June 26, St. John’s will once again welcome Pastor John Rutsindintwarane, General Secretary of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda and Executive Director of Congregations Rebuilding Community in Rwanda, a part of PICO International. He will preach at the 8:00 am, 9:00 am and 11:30 am worship services, as well as speak at the St. John’s Forum at 10:15 am.

Pastor John’s inspiring message will speak of hope in the midst of the despair that has been birthed in the country of Rwanda. He will give first-hand testimony of the power of the Gospel to change lives, change communities and change a country. Over the past year the Lutheran Church of Rwanda has continued to grow, has elected its newest Bishop, and continued its powerful witness. Also, through Pastor John’s leadership what was only six years ago a remote village at the edge of Rwanda overlooking Barundi and Tanzania now sits a multi-room medical center along with a paved road connecting the village to the larger community and services.

This will not be our only Rwanda connection this summer. In July, St. John’s will help host the youth/young adult delegation that is coming to visit our Sierra Pacific Synod from Rwanda. Included in this delegation will be two young adults from our sister parish in Rukira!  Then, on Sunday, August 7, Pastor John’s wife, Robin Strickler, headmaster of the Rwanda School Project in Rwamagana, will be with us. Robin will give us a detailed update on the progress of the Rwanda School Project.

I encourage you to take advantage of these great opportunities to spend time with our ministry partners from Rwanda.