François Nkurunziza is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Bethel Church in Kigali. His passion is to see people encounter God and become all that God created them to be along side with his lovely wife whom they have been together for more than 25 years. Igihe.com’s Diana Mutimura caught up with him in his humble office and had an exclusive interaction.
Igihe.com: Can you tell us about your back ground?
Pastor Nkurinziza: I am pastor Nkurunziza François of Bethel church located in Remera Giporoso suburb, Kigali city. I’m happily married toTherese Umugiraneza and God blessed our family with four beautiful children.
I was born on 1st February 1961 and brought up in Bujumbura, Burundi. I grew up in a Roman Catholic Family.
I did my High school studies in Bujumbura and in Zaire (DR Congo) and I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Université Libre de Kigali –Rwanda (ULK).
Igihe.com: When did you get saved and what made you change from catholic to become a born again?
During my teenage years, I sought of God very much that is in 1981, became a monk but still never found meaning or joy. It wasn’t before so long that I converted to Jesus Christ on September 3rd 1983, a decision I have never regretted.
Igihe.com: What is the essence of many churches today?
Nkurunziza: You cannot ask why there are many churches the same way you cannot ask why there many bars today, though the bars contribute to the government revenue, they have negative side effects in life because alcohol has destroyed many families, destroyed young children’s lives but building God’s church is one step to expand the kingdom of God, and it is a one way to accomplish Jesus’ mission as it states in Mathew 28:17:20
Igihe.com: Has religion gone commercial?
Nkurunziza: (Laughs) with me I can say that some people are ignorant about God’s kingdom. Is there anyone who has made a scientific research which proves that all churches are doing business not the work of God?
I can give you an example of the last crusade we had in Bugesera, down in the villages where we used millions of money transporting people from the city; can you call that a business? I know a business is to invest when expecting interest in return.
Igihe.com: How relevant is religion to today’s independent, individualistic and commercial lives?
Nkurunziza: The government has given people the freedom to worship and this gives people the courage of praying to God at any time and again do their business.
I am trying to say that people have time to work as Christian and get time to warship their Lord with no obstacles.
Igihe.com: What is your take on allegations of acts of sodomy and sexual abuse in born again churches?
Nkurunziza: Those acts were there before and in the bible we see God condemning Sodom and gomola for their evil acts. When we continue in Romans 1:26:1:36, those that commit such things are worthy of death, not only them but even those who support them are the same.
Igihe.com: Why are most born again churches attracting more youths than other age groups?
Nkurunziza: The secret behind is sincere prayers from the people of God who don’t want to see youth involved in evil temptations. At Bethel Church, we try to practice what we preach and this attracts not only the youth but all God loving people.
This world is doing crazy things all in the name of modern technology; we the messengers of God if we don’t preach them to come closer to The Almighty Lord Jesus Christ, their lives will be doomed to Satan.
Igihe.com: Religious extremism is on the rise worldwide and this has resulted into acts of terrorism in the name of holly war. Don’t you think it’s a contradiction or how should it be avoided?
Nkurunziza: I don’t believe countries where fighting for political leadership all in the name of hole war, killing people, starving others and calling themselves Christian, that is not correct.
They shouldn’t mix politics and God. Jesus told the Israelites: “Let what belongs to kaisail belong to him and what belong to God belong to Him” so politics and Christianity should be two things that are different.
Igihe.com: Born again churches have divergent beliefs ranging from females being prohibited from wearing trousers, treating hair, etc are these really Godly requirements?
Nkurunziza: I believe that when you respect God and what God wants you to do, then you can respect yourself and I don’t see the relationship between clothes and faith. If you think what you are wearing can bring you disgrace before God don’t do not put it on but if you think they are fit to be in God’s house why not put it on?
Igihe.com: How do you preach your follower on HIV/Aids scourge, birth control methods and sex before marriage?
Nkurunziza: We always talk about that to the married women, but to the unmarried ones the advice they should always abstain from sex before marriage; it’s is a sin before God. For the married couples, it’s always healthy and safe for both the parents and the children to heed to the medical counsels to avoid untimely pregnancies and births.
Igihe.com: As a man of God what would be your advice to the people out there who believe that most of the churches were formed to establish business?
Nkurunziza: It’s one’s right to choose a Christian life or stay the insecure one but I believe that Godly life is more comfortable than any other life and I pray that Christianity can continue to influence our lives everyday.
All I can say is that it is not good to put judgment in your hands yet we all have our judgment day and I wish that they should do some study to prove them wrong as I said before.
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