An update from Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Burundi

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20

Our Mission Appeal partner church Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Burundi (HELCB) continues to spread the Gospel despite significant challenges. Bishop Emile Nkurunziza recently sent through his annual report, which is summarised here.

HELCB undertakes four main activities:

Preaching and teaching the Word of Salvation, baptizing and conducting Holy Communion
Giving witness to God’s Gospel as revealed through Jesus Christ.
Promoting peace building by teaching love, cooperation and reconciliation within the Burundian community
Actively participating in socio-economic activities to improve wellbeing and livelihood among Burundians

The church started with an estimated 300 congregants in March 2017. As of December 2025, the number of congregants is close to 4,000 members.

HELCB currently has six parishes and six mission areas situated in nine out of the 18 provinces of Burundi.

Parishes:

Hope Parish – Head Office – in Gitega (the political capital city): Pastor Alphonse Polisi
Martin Luther Parish –in Bujumbura (economic capital city): Pastor Fabien Macumi
Mishiha Parish: Pastor Pacifique Bizimungu
Kinanira Parish: Pastor Joseph Ndagijimana
Buhema Parish: Pastor Emmanuel Barankeba
Muzye Parish: Pastor Cyprien Ntibankunda

Mission areas:

Masanganizira: Pastor Christophe Havyarimana
Ruyigi Refugee Camp of Busuma and Nyankanda: Pastor Venuste Nsengiyumva
Matana: Pastor Gabriel Hakizimana
Muhweza: Pastor Isaac Mujanama
Kayogoro New : Pastor Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye
Gitaba New: Refugee Camp: Lay Evangelist from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

2026 General Assembly

The Lord has done great for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3

HELCB held its General Assembly in April 2026. The Assembly approved an ecclesiastic regional division, into two regions (Central - South and North-East –South). This administrative division is projected to become a diocese structure as a way of strategically preparing for smooth leadership transitions and church expansion.

The Lord continues to grow us

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

As reported earlier this year, HELCB ordained eight pastors this year:

We thank God that this year of 2026, we were able to organize and ordain eight pastors who are now on the field work despite the life challenges we are facing in the ministry of Word and Sacrament. HELCB has now twelve disciples including the Bishop. We pray that God will help us to be faithful in preaching His Word and we pray that He provides for our pastors’ lives.

Many of the pastors are far from their homes and families, which is very challenging for them. They are also working in a context of extreme poverty of their congregants. HELCB need further support from international friends to support their pastors and their families, and to help meet the basic needs of their members.

Church construction

The church construction program is making some good progress, notably the large church being built in Gitega, which is at 90% completion. The ordination service was held there in July. A church building was opened in Kinanira Parish - Muyinga and two other churches are very close to completion. Other churches are in progress. The Burundian government forbid churches from from renting premises, so all congregations are working hard to build churches and other structures for worship.

*Official opening of Kinanira Parish - Muyinga*

Worship and sacramental events

Spiritual formation and capacity building

Responding to food insecurity in Burundi - Farming

Building strong choirs: Choirs and youth groups are supported for vibrant parishes.

Building a brighter future through supporting education

Major Challenges

The church faces four major challenges

Insufficient number of trained and ordained number of Pastors and evangelists
Inherent poverty among church members with various needs of socio-economic support
Lack of reliable and strong partners
Institutional instability (Church leaders –pastors not supported – Only one church Leader is full time worker - Bishop)

Future Plans

The church leadership is focusing on the following foreseeable plans:

Building churches: Completion of the church building in Gitega, Muyinga, Cankuzo, Makamba, Rutana, Bujumbura and start building at least a shelter in Mweza, Masanganzira, Matana, Ruyigi, Kayogoro and Gitaba.
Continue engagement and tactical activities to expand the church to other communes
Continue mobilizing resources to train pastors and evangelists
Continue engagement with various friends and well-wishers to establish strong and reliable partnerships both within and outside the country
Seek advice and support from our friends and well-wishers on institutional stability
Finalize the process of translation of key books to be used in daily church activities
Start a Lutheran Bible Training School (a room is set apart and some furniture already bought)
Continuing church planting, acquiring lands and build churches in the areas we have members.

Conclusion

Bishop Emile concludes:

When Paul planted the first church at Ephesus, it in turn branched out to plant many others in a myriad of ideologies in relation to what a church really meant at the time… Our prayer and commitment to God is that through HELCB, many parishes will be established to have a stronger Lutheran identity across the entire Burundi and its neighbourhood. HELCB leadership believes in God’s power and faithfulness to protect His Church against every kind of evil.
Please pray for our ministry facing extreme poverty of its members and world attractions.
May the Almighty God gives us wisdom to reach a successful end of the journey.