What can happen when believers from different parts of the world come together to serve, learn, and encourage one another?

This September, TLAfrica’s Rwanda team welcomed eight members of Central Baptist Church in New York for a week of ministry in Musanze. Led by Pastor John Films-Aime, the team came ready to serve—and throughout the week, that service took many forms: equipping pastors, encouraging children, walking alongside women, caring for the community, and sharing in worship and fellowship.

But the impact of the week was about much more than individual activities. It was a picture of what can happen through long-term partnership: local leaders strengthened, communities encouraged, and people equipped to continue serving long after a mission team returns home.

Equipping Pastors to Lead and Teach

At the heart of the week was a five-day pastoral training held at the TLRwanda Conference Center. Thirty-four local pastors gathered as Pastor John led an in-depth study of the Book of Judges, exploring its message and helping participants consider how Scripture speaks into their own lives, churches, and communities.

For participants, the training was not merely academic.

Niragire Pauline, a preacher and pastor’s wife, shared that studying Judges changed the way she understood leadership. As she reflected on Israel’s transition after Joshua, she recognized the importance of intentionally preparing those who will lead after us.

“In my own leadership this taught me that when I am leaving I must mentor someone to take over so that I don’t leave confusion.”

Rev. Emmanuel Ndagijimana was similarly challenged by the study. Although he had previously studied theology, he said the week gave him a deeper understanding of God’s grace and faithfulness in the midst of human failure—and renewed his desire to lead others toward Christ through both his preaching and his life.

This is at the center of TLAfrica’s vision: equipping African Christian leaders who, in turn, equip others.

A Simple Gift—and a Beautiful Lesson from 70 Children

While pastoral training continued, other members of the Central Baptist team visited approximately 70 children at Rugeshi Primary School.

The team encouraged the students, shared a story about trusting God through difficult circumstances, and provided learning kits filled with pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, folders, bags, and other essential school supplies.

Then something unexpected happened.

Two students initially did not receive kits.

Before adults needed to solve the problem, their classmates began sharing what they had received so that no child would go without.

The team had come to encourage the children—but in that moment, the children demonstrated generosity themselves.

Planting Love and Hope—Literally

Another day brought TLAfrica staff, the Central Baptist team, and approximately 30 community members together at the TLRwanda Conference Center for prayer, fellowship, environmental education, and tree planting.

Five avocado trees were planted on the conference center grounds. Two were given especially meaningful names: Urukundo, meaning Love in Kinyarwanda, and Icyizere, meaning Hope.

Twenty-five additional trees were distributed to community members to plant at their own homes, and the team visited neighboring households to help plant trees there as well.

The trees are a fitting picture of this kind of ministry. We may plant something small today without knowing exactly how large it will grow. But with care, patience, and God’s provision, what is planted can continue bearing fruit for years to come.

Walking Alongside Women Building a Better Future

One of the most joyful gatherings of the week took place at Inkurunziza Church, where the mission team joined approximately 95 women from TLAfrica’s Mugore Terimbere Women’s Empowerment Program group.

There was worship. There was dancing. There was fellowship and teaching about the dignity of work.

The Central Baptist volunteers also provided practical menstrual health education and distributed 95 menstrual kits to the women in attendance.

But the visit also gave the team an opportunity to see what these women are already accomplishing.

Nearby, the WEP group is operating an agricultural project raising chickens—including layers, broilers, and chicks—as well as pigs and piglets. Group leaders shared the progress they have made and their desire to expand the project through a larger loan, creating greater opportunity for the women involved.

The impact of women’s empowerment was also visible in a much more colorful way! Jesse, one of TLAfrica’s Women’s Empowerment champions, has built her own tailoring business. In preparation for the visit, she made beautiful African dresses for each of the Central Baptist Church team members. The women loved their dresses and the opportunity to celebrate Jesse’s creativity, skill, and growing business.

Moments like these show what empowerment can look like in everyday life: women developing their skills, building businesses, supporting their families and communities, and then sharing the fruit of their work with others.

Serving in the Everyday Moments

Not every meaningful act of ministry happened from a pulpit or during a scheduled program. Each morning, Central Baptist volunteers shared devotions about perseverance, trusting God, overcoming pride, and living in love. They also rolled up their sleeves at the TLRwanda Conference Center—clearing tables, washing dishes, drying utensils, and mopping floors after breakfast.

The team also worshiped alongside the congregation at Gashangiro Baptist Church, where Pastor John shared a biblical message about unity, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

These ordinary moments matter because transformational ministry is built on relationship. It happens as people teach and learn together, worship together, work together, share meals together, and serve one another.

Partnership That Continues After the Trip Ends

At the end of one week, the Central Baptist team returned home.

But the ministry continues.

The pastors they encouraged returned to their churches. The children returned to school with supplies in hand. The women of Mugore Terimbere returned to their businesses and agricultural projects. Twenty-five families returned home with trees to plant. And TLAfrica’s Rwanda staff continue walking alongside these communities every day.

That is why partnership matters.

Your prayers and financial support help make this ongoing work possible. They help TLAfrica equip Christian leaders, strengthen women and families, invest in communities, and create opportunities for transformational partnerships like this one.

We are deeply grateful to Pastor John Films-Aime and the Central Baptist Church team for the time, resources, encouragement, and love they shared with our Rwanda community—and to every TLAfrica partner whose generosity allows ministry to continue long after a mission week has ended.

Together, we are planting seeds of faith, leadership, dignity, and hope—and trusting God to bring the growth.