As the congregation swings to African-style worship music, several of them drag me, a stiff-limbed “muzungu” (white foreigner), into their dancing circle. Trying to overcome my Dutch Calvinist rigidity, I make clumsy moves, much to the locals’ enjoyment. From the side, Pastor Lucien watches the scene with a smile as broad as his shoulders.

My stay at Pastor Lucien’s church in Rukizi is the final meeting of my Rwanda trip. After four exhausting days of ministry visits and a dozen interviews, fatigue has kicked in. But then, there is Pastor Lucien standing at the church entrance, arms spread wide and laughing generously to welcome me.

Pastor Lucien outside the church in Rukizi, ready with open arms and God’s Word.

We shake hands, and the pastor invites me to walk with him around the church premises. Everywhere, I see people of all ages assembled in small Bible study groups, seemingly unbothered by the midday heat. No matter how tired I feel in the days since, that sight will always revive me!

After 30 minutes, Pastor Lucien calls everyone into the church hall to conclude the Bible study session with worship. What follows is the scene I just described. And what a joy to be among these believers and celebrate with them the blessing of God’s Word!

Believers in Rukizi gathering across the hillside to open Scripture together.

Dry Spiritual Climate

Later, in Pastor Lucien’s home, we chat about the experience. He receives each of my questions with a deep “Mmm,” and I know he’ll give me all the information I need.

I assume his church is as fertile as the lush green hills and valleys that surround it. But Pastor Lucien smiles gently, then shakes his head. It hasn’t always been like that, he responds. The spiritual climate used to be dry—very dry.

“Most of my congregants live far from the church, deep in the hills,” he explains. “I only saw them on Sundays, or not at all. It seemed that people were not interested in faith, caught up as they were in their daily chores. Reading the Word of God was rare!”

That’s hard to square with the commitment of the Bible study group members I just saw, so I ask the pastor why there was a spiritual drought and what he tried to do about it. As he thinks, Pastor Lucien presses his breath through his teeth.

Before study materials arrived, reading the Word of God was rare across the community.

“Unfortunately, I missed two things,” he replies. “First of all, the Bible was not available. So, the people were not used to reading it. The lack of materials hampered all our efforts. Secondly, we only had a few church workers to help, and they were not well-trained.”

Tasting the Word of God

Bible League International’s ministry partner in Rwanda had arranged the visit. Three years ago they encouraged Pastor Lucien, an Anglican priest himself, to implement the Bible study program in Rukizi. Eager for tools to help him overcome his challenges, Pastor Lucien agreed.

But the start was discouraging.

“At first, it was not easy to bring people together in small groups,” he recalls, shrugging his shoulders as if he still doesn’t understand his congregants’ reluctance. It took a long time to train a group of members to become Bible study leaders.

Trained leaders now guide small groups across every age group in Rukizi.

“As I took them through the Bible study booklets, they started to taste the Word of God,” Pastor Lucien says, with a thankful smile. “Then they went out into the hills and invited people to join a Bible study group.”

Tasting the Word of God. I love how Pastor Lucien uses that phrase.

“It reminds me of the verse from Psalm 34:8 that says, ‘Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!’” I tell him. “Can you tell me more about the impact of tasting God’s Word in your congregation?”

There’s the deep “Mmm” again.

“They produce evangelists, choir members, Bible study leaders—pillars of the church.”

“As you have seen today, people now love being in the small groups,” he says, beaming. “When they learned they would receive a copy of the Bible, they were encouraged to join the Bible study program. And after receiving their copies of the Bible in their homes, they continued to read.”

“Not only that, but the Bible study groups are also like a talent show! They produce evangelists, choir members, Bible study leaders; people who have become the pillars of the church. If I left, I know they would lead the church well. They have become firm in what they believe.”

Having Scripture at home ensures the reading continues long after Sunday morning.

Isn’t that amazing? You’re taking part in God’s work, coming alongside leaders like Pastor Lucien. And he has a word for you:

We Are Together!

As Pastor Lucien walks with me to the van that will take me back to my hotel, we pause to admire the beauty of Rukizi.

The sun sets over the green valley, casting everything in pastel hues. Crowned cranes, majestic and elegant, fly over to their nests in the marshes.

The green hills and valleys of Rukizi, where faith has taken deep root.

Nothing, however, beats Pastor Lucien’s beautiful character. As the van starts moving, the short man of God steps close to my window, hands clenched above his head. “We are together,” he says. “We are together!” I keep waving at him until he’s out of sight.

Our lives overlapped for just a couple of hours. Yet, I feel the unity in Christ with Pastor Lucien and his congregation.

You’re with them as well. Through your gifts and prayers, people in Rukizi learned to enjoy the taste of God’s Word. With your help, Pastor Lucien’s church has become as fertile as the valley it overlooks. Thank you!