A transformative gathering of over 300 pastors and deacons explores “The Living Leader” theme
By Rev. Adolphe Ndoreraho | Ngozi Province, Burundi | May 30, 2025
Over 300 United Methodist pastors and deacons from across Burundi gathered in Ngozi Province for one of the country’s largest pastoral development retreats, aimed at strengthening spiritual leadership within the rapidly growing Methodist Church community.
The three-day event, held from May 29 to 31 at the Anglican Conference Hall, was co-organized by United Citizens for Change and Development (UCCD) and the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in Burundi. It centered around the theme: “The Living Leader: The Way of the Living Church Achieves the Goal of God in the World.”
Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera, leader of the Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Region, opened the retreat by emphasizing the Church’s responsibility to nurture leaders equipped to meet both spiritual and practical needs of their congregations.
“This retreat represents our commitment to developing pastors who can meet the spiritual and practical needs of our communities,” Sinzohagera said during the opening session.
The event received backing from both church and government leaders. An advisor to the Governor of Ngozi welcomed participants on behalf of the provincial administration, highlighting the retreat’s role in promoting peace, unity, and community development.
Evangelist Isaie Nshimirimana, UCCD’s Legal Representative, outlined the dual mission of spiritual leadership and community engagement that drove the collaboration.
“Our churches are not just places of worship they’re pillars of hope and progress in our communities,” Nshimirimana told the assembly.
The retreat’s curriculum addressed eight critical areas of ministry leadership, specifically designed for pastors working in challenging environments. Sessions covered Spirit-empowered ministry, visionary leadership, resilience in suffering, and reconciliation after conflict. The training emphasized practical application and real-world ministry situations.
Reverend Onesphore Manirakiza led a session on pastoral resilience, drawing from Philippians 2 to address the isolation and economic hardships many pastors face.
“Ministry is not a sprint it’s a long-distance journey filled with challenges. Many of us face isolation, economic hardship, and spiritual fatigue. But when we focus on Christ’s example and Paul’s endurance, we find the strength to continue.”
Evangelist Isaie Nshimirimana delivered a central teaching on Spirit-empowered ministry, challenging participants to rediscover spiritual vitality in their congregations. Drawing from Acts 1:8 and Luke 24:47-49, he connected church growth with spiritual empowerment.
Rev. Inge’s session on prophetic leadership used examples from Habakkuk and Daniel to illustrate balancing immediate pastoral care with long-term vision and community transformation.
The retreat introduced participants to the UMC’s new global vision: “Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously.” The response was particularly enthusiastic among younger pastors.
One participant shared how he plans to implement this vision in his congregation:
“In my congregation, I will ‘Love Boldly’ by welcoming even those society excludes, ‘Serve Joyfully’ and ‘Lead Courageously’ by speaking out against injustice in our community.”
Given UMC Burundi’s history of divisions, sessions on forgiveness drew significant attention. Pastors received practical guidance for leading healing conversations and modeling grace in their communities.
“Learning about forgiveness helped me confront the pain our community has carried since the conflict. I now understand that healing starts when we model God’s grace in how we treat each other.”
The retreat introduced the UMC’s regionalization initiative, which allows churches worldwide to contextualize ministry practices while maintaining theological unity.
A denominational leader explained the significance: “Regionalization gives us the freedom to honor our culture while staying grounded in Methodist doctrine. It’s a step toward a truly African expression of Methodism that’s both faithful and relevant.”
Attendees came from all provinces of Burundi, representing both urban and rural contexts. Many traveled significant distances to participate.
“I traveled 3 hours to get here, sleeping along the way. But it was worth it—I’m returning home with new tools and a renewed spirit that will bless my entire congregation.”
“This year’s retreat was more engaging and practical than ever. The sessions spoke directly to the real-life struggles we face in our churches. I feel better equipped than in any past training.”
Bishop Sinzohagera announced his intention to extend this program to clergy and their spouses.
“Our vision is to replicate this retreat for clergy and their spouses,” he said at the closing ceremony. ”We are building a future where the Methodist Church will become a source of healing, hope, and leadership across the country.”
As participants returned to their congregations across Burundi, organizers expressed confidence that the training would translate into strengthened local churches and enhanced community impact.
This retreat marks the third successful collaboration between UCCD and the UMC Annual Conference, with planning already underway to expand the initiative further.
About the Organizations:
- The United Methodist Church Annual Conference of Burundi oversees Methodist congregations throughout the country, serving communities in all 18 provinces.
- The United Citizens for Change and Development (UCCD) works on supporting church evangelization, strengthening believers, and teaching/supporting rural communities for sustainable development.