Practicing the Sacrament of Presence

  By Shelly Miller

Summer brought opportunity for many in the Anglican Mission to travel to Rwanda and experience God in a fresh way. For most on the journey, agendas became secondary as they encountered Christ’s redemption lived out in people still recovering from the ravages of genocide. The spirit of the Rwandan people continues to captivate those who visit, their journey through reconciliation illuminating the supremacy of God often passed over in American culture.

An estimated 10,000 were in attendance for the International Evangelism Convention in Ruhengeri, July 25-28, 2007. The Rt. Rev. John K. Rucyahana, Bishop of the Shyira Diocese that hosted the crusade, estimates that over 1200 people made a first time commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior during the event.

“The Lord was very present,” said Bishop John, “and we rejoice in the work which He did in the hearts of all who attended.”

Mission teams representing several Anglican Mission congregations participated in the crusade. The Rt. Rev. Thaddeus Barnum, the Rev. John Richardson of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Birmingham and the Rev. Ken Ross of International Anglican Church (IAC), Colorado Springs delivered daily expository bible preaching. Team members also organized and led break-out sessions for men and women as well as hundreds of children.

“This was more than just a regional crusade,” said Bishop Thad. “People were being sent out to evangelize, sharing Christ in prisons, along dusty streets and in schools.”

“I wasn’t prepared for what I experienced, said Mary Elizabeth Richardson, 15, from St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Birmingham. “Despite their circumstances, the people are so accepting of others.”

As a spectator, Mary Elizabeth was stunned by the receptivity of people to the Gospel message as hundreds moved to respond to Him throughout each invitation.

“My perception of Christ has changed,” she said. “Going to Rwanda has opened my eyes and enlarged by perspective on the way God works in peoples’ lives.”

As the Ruhengeri crusade ended, another celebration event was on the horizon commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Diocese of Gahini. A team led by the Rev. Mark Booker, from Church of the Resurrection, Washington, D.C., was invited by diocesan Bishop Alexis to serve at the convention. Between 5,000-10,000 Africans gathered to this historic location where the East African Revival began in 1935. Priceless testimonials were shared by elders in the crowd recalling that momentous time in Rwanda’s history.

For many, a mission trip to Rwanda was not as much about accomplishing tasks as it was about building relationships through church partnership. Booker’s team spent time with their sister church in Nyagatare, located in the diocese of Gahini, practicing the sacrament of presence by visiting people in their homes, rejoicing in God’s faithfulness and gathering for teaching from His Word.

Team members from IAC, led by the Rev. Ken Ross, split their time between the crusade in Ruhengeri and their sister church Byumba in the sub-parish of Kibali. They were able to distribute three water purifiers by Miox, each the size of a suitcase with the potential of creating enough water for 8,000 people a day.

“Though bringing things is important,” said Ross, “we have learned that our going to Rwanda is not as much about what we can provide, as it is about building relationships.”

For five on the IAC team, part of connecting to the culture was actually meeting for the first time children they sponsored through Compassion International. Corb Hillam, cartoonist and College Pastor at IAC, has sponsored a young Rwandan girl for nine years, providing assistance since she was four.

“I was unprepared emotionally for this visit” said Hillem, “but my inspirational experience led to a new partnership with Compassion – writing a children’s book as a tool of preparation for others facing first time meetings.”

For task-driven Americans, traveling to Rwanda for the purpose of spending time with people is markedly different from producing a list of “accomplishments”.

“The connection AMiA has with Rwanda provides a shift in our world view, moving us out of our Americanized version of Christianity that is all about being successful through accomplishment,” said Ross. “We are truly being shaped by people who have paid a price.”

And for that, we can all be grateful.

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