Pray For
- peace and security in the Great Lakes Region, especially in the DRC
- the spiritual growth and maturity of believers
- Community Bible Study programs for children and youth
- funding for building the Burundi Free Methodist Headquarters
- funding for the construction of a medical school building at Hope Africa University
- the development of microfinance banking system
PRESENT MINISTRIES
The church is committed to ministering to the whole person through integrated ministries that address spiritual, physical, intellectual and socio-economic needs. Its health-care outreach includes public health education, maternity services, nutritional support and highly respected hospitals, including Kibuye Hope Hospital and Van Norman Hospital. Leadership development is supported through Mweya Theological Institute and Theological Education by Extension (TEE), which provide biblical and practical training for pastors and church leaders. In addition, Hope Africa University (HAU) equips Christian scholars and professionals at certificate and bachelor’s levels, preparing them to apply ethical, economic and political principles within African society.
With a strong commitment to holistic transformation, the church also engages in community mobilization initiatives that promote sustainable development. These efforts include microfinance programs for economic empowerment and agricultural capacity building to improve food security. Recognizing that children, adolescents and youth make up a large portion of the population, the church has developed targeted programs such as Christian Religious Education in primary and secondary schools, Sunday school training materials, and Community Bible Study. Together, these initiatives nurture spiritual growth and prepare young people for well-rounded and purposeful lives.
ORIGINS
In 1935, missionary J.W. Haley opened the work in Equatorial Africa at Muyebe, Burundi. Other missionaries soon joined the Haleys. Hundreds came to the Lord, so that within 20 years Burundi became Free Methodism’s largest conference. Tragedy hit the church in 1972 during inter-tribal conflict within the country when many of the church leaders were killed during a retaliatory move against intellectuals and scholars. Another uprising in 1993 caused loss of many members. The church began almost immediately to rebuild and has continued to grow steadily in spite of continuing political unrest. It was given full general conference status in 1999.
Country Leader
Bishop Déogratias Nshimiyimana
Burundi General Conference
Prayercast | Burundi
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An Aerial Tour of Kibuye Burundi
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COUNTRY STATISTICS
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General Conference
- Population: 14,549,000
- Evangelical Christians: 30.5%
- FM Work Opened: 1935
- FM Churches: 909
- FMC Membership: 267,421
- Ordained Ministers: 549
- Ministerial Candidates: 73
- Bishop: Déogratias Nshimiyimana
- Ecclesiastical Accountability:Â Free Methodist World Conference
Photo Credit: TUBS, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Join the ministry in Burundi
Church Planting & Development
Supporting the Burundi Church Planting and Development (CPD) will help resource Mweya Evangelical Theological Institute (ITEM), a vital part of educating pastors in Burundi
Extra Mile Projects
Burundi Kibuye Hope Hospital
Kibuye Hope Hospital has a long history of providing healthcare in Burundi. FMWM had a great deal of involvement in launching and sustaining the hospital in its early years. Now, under full Burundian leadership, Kibuye periodically receives the volunteer services of visiting health professionals and some regular missionary service. This account processes support specifically for Kibuye Hope Hospital . This fund is for the purchase of medicines and equipment, as well as helping poor patients pay for health care.
Kibuye Hope Hospital was founded in 1946 by Dr. Esther Kuhn. It is now an 82 bed general hospital in a population area of 250,000 people. There are 10 health centers that refer to Kibuye and have radio contact with the hospital for service by the ambulance. It is a rural hospital but served by a paved road 100 miles from the capitol of Bujumbura. Hope Africa University (HAU) in Bujumbura has established a Health Sciences division for training nurses and doctors called The Frank Ogden Medical School. It is named after long time missionary surgeon Dr Frank Ogden, now retired. Kibuye Hospital is one of three teaching hospitals for the HAU medical school.
In addition to general medical services Kibuye Hope Hospital has a program of outreach into the community to help the handicapped (particularly the blind); a child survival program run by World Relief; and a small factory that produces a high protein cereal to prevent and treat malnutrition.