Rwanda boasts an exceptionally young population: the average age is just 19 years old, with over 40% of the country’s 13 million residents under the age of 15, and half of the population under 20. This massive youth demographic represents a highly strategic opportunity for evangelism and community transformation.
Recognising this potential, AE Rwanda launched the Rusizi Student Mission in May 2026. Operating under the theme “My Life in Your Hands” (Ecclesiastes 12:1), a coordinated force of 96 passionate evangelists organised 48 distinct mission engagements across schools, colleges, and local communities, with the goal of reaching 35,000 young people.
As is always part of AE missions, training in advance ensured that those involved were prepared for their roles. Dushimimana Bosco, a teacher at Saint Matthew’s School in Kamembe, recalled how preparatory training reframed his perspective about his job as a teacher and motivated him to embrace the mission. “The training helped us understand the importance of guiding students not only academically, but also spiritually, so they may grow in Jesus Christ,” Bosco explains.
Inspired by this training, teachers prayed and invited AE Rwanda to visit their school. The result was staggering: an estimated 99% of Saint Matthew’s students accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Bosco shared that an overwhelming sense of joy, peace, and spiritual awakening has since filled their campus.
While the initial target was to reach 35,000 students throughout the mission, the actual outcomes blew past expectations, ultimately sharing the Gospel with an extraordinary 43,760 students. By the mission’s close, 10,723 students and 14 high school teachers had committed their lives to Christ!
One student reached during the mission shared, “Today revealed that Jesus is our saviour. I had once accepted Christ, but later I stopped growing in faith. Because of bad friendships, I was led into different sins, including sexual immorality, theft, and other wrong behaviours. I felt guilty and hopeless because I saw myself as a great sinner, but I could not help myself.
While I was being taught God’s word, I heard the Word of God says, ‘‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins. (1 John 1:9).” I realised that God still loved me and wanted me to return to Him. The message encouraged me to reject sin and choose a new path with Christ. This Word also gave me hope and strength to begin again with God. In God’s glory, I have decided to reject sinful behaviour and continue my journey of faith with God. I also want to choose good friends who will help me grow spiritually and live in accordance with God’s will.”
AE Rwanda understands that a decision to follow Christ is only the beginning of a lifelong journey. To ensure that these seeds of faith take deep root, the ministry put a discipleship and preservation strategy into immediate action. Trained Christian teachers and high school student leaders documented the names of all new converts and were equipped with discipleship materials. Teachers like Bosco are actively embracing this ongoing role: “As a teacher and leader of students, I am committed to continuing to follow up on and disciple these students so they may grow stronger in Christ”.
Please join us in praying that the Rusizi Student Mission is the start of a lasting legacy of faith among Rwanda’s next generation.