NW Welcomes Dr. Charles Mugisha!
By Bill MacLeod, Director
In 1994, the country of Rwanda, Africa experienced a genocide of biblical proportions. Over a span of around 100 days, members of the Tutsi ethnic group, as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa , were systematically killed by Hutu militias.
Estimates were as high as over 1 million people killed, with victims often murdered or sexually violated by neighbors. With at least half the population with blood on their hands – what do you do? Not everyone can go to prison. How do you bring order back to an entire country?
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, working with government leaders, the public and churches throughout the country, set up a system of thousands of neighborhood courts to bring justice to victims while simultaneously developing reconciliation villages (in partnership with Prison Fellowship) where victims learned to forgive the perpetrators who killed their relatives and even live next door to them as neighbors.
Today, 30 years later that same President Kagame has closed nearly 3/4 of all churches (10,000) throughout the country and set legal compliance standards for reopening in construction, pastoral training and other areas which are out of reach for almost all of them.
With all of these changes happening in one country, we thought, what better person could tackle our conference theme of “unshaken”? We are so excited to introduce you to our January keynote speaker who has been in the center of it all since the he founded Africa New Life in 2001… Dr. Charles Mugisha
Here’s Pastor Charles’ responses to our four questions…
1. How did you come to follow Christ as your Savior?
From an early age, I loved God and dreamed of becoming a Catholic priest. But as a teenager, while teaching children in a rural church school, I was introduced to the true gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. At age 17, I surrendered my life to Him, and almost immediately began preaching with other young people on the streets of Uganda. That decision to follow Christ not only changed the direction of my life but gave me a secure foundation and hope in the midst of the instability around me.
2. Were there any barriers you had to overcome or surrender, to come to the point of serving
the Lord in the capacity you do now?
Yes. Growing up as a refugee in Uganda meant facing poverty, war, and instability. Later, returning to Rwanda after the 1994 genocide confronted me with overwhelming brokenness—orphans, widows, and communities in despair. I had no money and few resources, but I surrendered my fears and limitations to God. He reminded me that His call was not about what I could do in my strength, but about what He could accomplish through me if I trusted Him.
3. How do you see the Lord using you through your ministry to benefit and strengthen the local Church?
Through Africa New Life Ministries, the Lord has allowed me to serve both the Church and the nation of Rwanda by bringing together the gospel and acts of compassion. Today, thousands of children are being educated and discipled, churches are thriving, women are empowered, and pastors are being trained through Africa College of Theology in Rwanda. My heart has always been to strengthen the local Church so that it stands firm in Christ, unshaken by the storms of history or culture, and equipped to transform communities in the name of Jesus.
4. What would be 1 or 2 things you would want to leave with those attending MCNW ’26?
First, that no matter the shaking in our world, Jesus Christ remains our Rock, our hope, and our salvation. Second, that God often calls us to step into broken places with faith, even when we feel inadequate. When we trust Him, He uses us to bring healing and renewal to others. My prayer is that those attending will leave encouraged to live boldly for Christ and to join Him in His mission to redeem a hurting world.
Would you like to get better acquainted with Pastor Charles before he comes in January?
If you are a pastor or leader in your church, we have just the opportunity!
Church Pastors and Mission Leaders,
We want to invite you to a December 4th Pastors’ Brunch to introduce you to our January keynote speaker who has been in the center of it all since the he founded Africa New Life in 2001… Dr. Charles Mugisha…
Please come and enjoy a special Brunch designed to encourage you as you labor for the Lord.
Be encouraged and inspired by our main speaker, Dr. Charles Mugisha, who will give us an update on what the Lord is accomplishing in the Rwandan church in these unprecedented times. Africa New Life, the multi-site church and child sponsorship ministry that he leads, is playing a significant role in it.
Connect with your fellow brothers and sisters, exchange ideas and uphold one another. Make new friends.
To Register click here.
