Born in Masisi, Eastern DR Congo, Dr. Faustin Ntamushobora was the seventh of eight children. Chosen by his father to be a priest to the ancestors, his life changed forever when Faustin’s mother began to question these ancient rituals. After a bull sacrificed for her terminally ill husband failed to heal him, she heard the truth of the gospel and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior. Soon after, fierce trials tested her young faith when four of her children were poisoned – three perished, leaving Faustin the only survivor. His mother’s attitude of forgiveness and grace during the funerals left an endearing impression on the young Faustin. Even though he was trained from an early age to serve dead spirits, Faustin fully submitted his life to Christ in 1978 and was transformed into a priest of the Living God.

Faustin fully submitted his life to Christ in 1978 and was transformed into a priest of the Living God

Faustin, along with his wife and their 4 young children, served in the capital city of Kigali, Rwanda when the Rwandan genocide struck in 1994 killing over 800,000 people. While all 5 of them were hiding under a bed for 26 days, the Lord spoke to Faustin in a dream urging him to leave. Taking a step of faith, Faustin, along with his wife, four children, and Bible in hand began the dangerous walk to the border. At the first two check points, Faustin watched as the militia killed a fellow pastor traveling with his group and violently threatened Salome, his own wife. As they neared the final road block where bodies were piled high, the Lord saved Faustin’s family from the hands of murderers. In this critical moment of despair, an unknown military officer drove by and miraculously recognized the pastor, allowing him and his family to pass safely.

Hiding under a bed for 26 days, the Lord spoke to him in a dream urging him to leave

After the genocide, the Lord opened opportunities for travel and Faustin saw the disparity between the valuable resources on the African continent, and the economic level of most people. Convinced only Africans could change their situation, he began training pastors differently, calling them to include socio-economic issues in their curriculum. For his doctoral thesis, Faustin studied how education in Africa could help Africans think critically, exhibit moral and spiritual values, and develop skills to bring transformation to their communities. This education for holistic transformation is the philosophy behind TLAfrica, Inc. and the future development of Thousand Hills International University.

Convinced only Africans could change their situation, he began training pastors differently

Dr. Faustin Ntamushobora has studied at Shalom University in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya, and Biola University in La Mirada, California, USA. He currently serves as Associate Professor at Africa International University in Nairobi, Kenya. He and his wife have four grown children and two grandchildren who are a joy!