From November 25–27, 2025, the United Methodist Church (UMC) Burundi Annual Conference, in partnership with Campus for Christ Burundi, conducted a transformative three-day workshop on evangelism strategies and church planting. Held at Nyabugogo Parish in Gitega, the training gathered 38 leaders from eleven districts across the Annual Conference.
This initiative is part of the Conference’s ongoing mission to strengthen evangelistic outreach and promote sustainable church growth throughout Burundi.
The workshop was officially opened by Emmanuel Sinzohagera, Resident Bishop of the Burundi–Rwanda Episcopal Area. Drawing from the renewed vision of the UMC to make disciples of Jesus Christ, he reminded participants that “evangelism is a biblical mandate and a core responsibility entrusted to the Church.”
Bishop Sinzohagera underscored the importance of using context-appropriate approaches in ministry, noting that “the Church must use effective and relevant methods to reach people where they are.”
He also stressed the need for personal spiritual transformation among leaders:“You have come to be taught about evangelism, but you must also reflect on your own life. Are you truly a disciple of Jesus Christ ? Let this training be an opportunity for repentance and renewal,” he urged.
The Bishop commended the growing partnership between UMC Burundi and Campus for Christ, calling it “a powerful tool for strengthening mission work in Burundi.” He emphasized that the training aimed to equip pastors, evangelists, and church leaders with practical skills to plan, implement, and evaluate evangelism and church-planting initiatives.
Over the course of three days, participants explored the biblical foundation of the Great Commission and examined the unique challenges of evangelism within the Burundian context. Sessions covered:
- Relational and community-based evangelism
- Sharing testimonies and ministry experiences
- Steps in church planting, from community assessments to organizing mission teams
- Developing local mission plans tailored to district realities
Each district delegation concluded the workshop by designing actionable strategies to guide future evangelistic efforts.
One participant reflected, “This training has opened my eyes to practical steps we can apply immediately in our communities.”
The program yielded significant outcomes, enabling participants to:
- Deepen their understanding of evangelism
- Acquire hands-on tools for local ministry
- Identify new church-planting opportunities
- Develop district-level action plans
- Strengthen the UMC–Campus for Christ partnership
- Build a stronger network of mission-focused leaders
Despite the positive results, participants noted several challenges, including limited time, insufficient resources for expansion, and varying experience levels within the group. They recommended expanding future training sessions, prioritizing digital evangelism, strengthening follow-up systems, and offering continuous coaching for emerging church-planting initiatives.