UMC Burundi, for one week in August, churches across Burundi became classrooms, places of worship and spaces of fellowship as thousands of children gathered to learn about the Christian faith through the United Methodist Church’s nationwide Vacation Bible School program.
From Aug. 3-9, the Burundi Annual Conference held its 2026 Vacation Bible School under the theme “Growing in God’s Grace.” The program brought together children, teachers, young people, parents and church leaders across 11 parishes for Bible teaching, worship, games, fellowship and discipleship activities.
More than 870 teachers and monitors were involved in the program, according to figures from the church’s Children’s Ministry. The initiative was supported financially by the Burundi Annual Conference, parents and Discipleship Ministries.
Helping children grow in faith
The nationwide program officially opened at Buhonga Parish, where about 900 children participated.
For Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera, bishop and legal representative of the United Methodist Church in Burundi, VBS is an investment in the church’s future. Citing Proverbs 22:6, he stressed the responsibility of the church and of adults to help children build a strong foundation of faith from an early age.
“It is a good way to prepare a church for tomorrow that remains firm in Christ,” Sinzohagera said.
He described VBS as a chance to teach children the Word of God in ways they can understand, while helping them build relationships through games, sharing and other activities.
The ministry has deep roots in Burundi. According to the bishop, VBS began in 1964 through missionaries in the Kayero area and later spread to other communities, including Murore and Murehe. The activities stopped after the missionaries left the country. Today, the church is working to revive the ministry through a program called “Turerere Ishengero,” meaning “Let us raise for the church,” as part of its commitment to the next generation.
From Bible lessons to everyday life
Niyirera Désiré, director of Children’s Ministry for the Burundi Annual Conference and coordinator of the VBS activities, said the program presents Christian teaching in ways that match how children learn.
“VBS gives children an opportunity to learn God’s Word through games, pictures and songs, because children often understand better what they see than what they hear,” Niyirera said. “It is also a time for them to hear the good news of salvation and learn brotherly love through sharing with others.”
He said participation has grown and that the church has seen stronger connections between children and the United Methodist Church. Parents, he added, have noticed the difference at home.
“Parents greatly appreciate the way we accompany children during the holidays because they see changes in their children’s behavior,” Niyirera said.
One of those parents is Irabembereza Denis, whose child took part at Gasanda Parish. “Before VBS, my child was shy, disobedient and had difficulty sharing with others,” Denis said. “After VBS, his behavior changed. He became more respectful and attentive, showed love toward others, prayed more and sought to put into practice what he had learned.”
Niyirera Jeditus, a children’s mentor at Gasanda Parish, saw similar changes. “VBS has changed many things in the children we accompanied,” Jeditus said. “It helped them to know God better, develop good values by putting God’s Word into practice, become more respectful, and grow in love, trust and sharing with others.”
At Rutana Parish, children’s teacher and mentor Ngezahayo Siméon said VBS also changed how children take part in Sunday school and church life. Before the program, he said, some children arrived late, were absent or spent time in the streets before coming to church.
“With VBS, everything changed completely,” Ngezahayo said. “The children became punctual for Sunday morning teaching, more responsible at church and at home. Some can preach during worship and lead programs. Most of the children can easily recite memorized verses and have learned the rules of the church.”
For Irumva Eva God Will, a 14-year-old participant from Rohero Parish, the lessons raised a challenge about how Christians treat others. “I learned to love everyone without exception and without discrimination, just as God himself loved us so much that he gave us his only Son to die for us on the cross,” she said.
Reaching communities across Burundi
The 2026 program was held in all parishes of the Burundi Annual Conference and 11 parishes were visited by the guests:: Buhonga, Munazi, Kayigi, Gakungu, Rubaho, Muzye, Rutana, Shanga, Kayero, Nyabugogo and Rubirizi.
Participation varied from parish to parish. Buhonga welcomed about 900 children, while Rubaho and Kayero also drew hundreds. The program relied on local teachers, mentors and church leaders who worked directly with children in their own communities.
VBS week also included gatherings for young adults at three sites: about 200 at Buhonga, 300 at Rubaho and 400 at Kayero. Focused on discipleship, spiritual formation, fellowship and leadership, these gatherings offered a parallel ministry for young people alongside the children’s activities.
Suggested image Description: Young adults gathered in a hall or outdoor space at Kayero or Rubaho Parish, taking part in a discussion, worship or group activity. Caption: Young adults take part in a discipleship and leadership gathering during VBS week at Kayero Parish, where about 400 participated.
A connectional ministry
The 2026 VBS also linked the Burundi church with United Methodists from other parts of the world. A team from Discipleship Ministries and the Philippines visited participating parishes. The group included:
- Mighty Rasing, director of Central Conference Relationships at Discipleship Ministries
- The Rev. Kennedy Thomas Mwita, Discipleship Ministries coordinator for East Africa and Southern Africa
- Earlie Pasion-Bautista, Discipleship Ministries coordinator from the Philippines
- Mary Joyce Villanueva, executive secretary of the Board of Christian Education and Discipleship in the Philippines
- Juliet Nabukalu, representative of the Young People’s Connectional Network
Rasing said the visits showed the team the scale of the ministry and its potential for continued discipleship in Burundi.
“It was very impressive to see hundreds, thousands of children actually gathering together at the same time learning about God, about their faith, and about the UMC throughout Burundi,” Rasing said.
He said the number of children in communities where United Methodists are present shows the church’s potential for mission. “The harvest field is so wide and large, and the UMC has integrity and is positioned well to reach out to different communities throughout Burundi.”
Rasing also commended the local teachers, saying their commitment and giftedness stood out. He called the experience an example of connectional ministry: “This is the worldwide UMC at work.”
According to Rasing, the Philippine ministry provided Vacation Church School resources that were adapted and contextualized for use in Burundi.
(Photo: Burundi Annual Conference)
Investing in the ministry
The 2026 VBS was supported by approximately US$37,500, according to Niyirera Désiré. The funding came from three sources:
- Burundi Annual Conference: US$20,000
- Parents: US$12,500
- Discipleship Ministries: US$5,000
The funds paid for teaching and learning materials, including teachers’ guides, children’s booklets, coloring materials, markers and flip charts. They also covered training for VBS teachers and mentors, and refreshments for participating children, including biscuits, sweets and porridge. Together, local and international contributions made it possible to carry out the weeklong program across the participating parishes.
Children receive refreshments funded by the Burundi Annual Conference, parents and Discipleship Ministries.
Closing in Rubirizi
The week ended Aug. 9 at Rubirizi Parish in Bujumbura District, where about 600 children took part. They presented what they had learned through songs, recitations and other activities tied to the theme “Growing in God’s Grace.”
At the closing ceremony, Bishop Sinzohagera thanked the international visitors for traveling across Burundi to encourage children and teachers. He acknowledged the hardships of the journeys, including long distances, road conditions, accommodation and meals.
“I know that those long journeys were not easy for you, especially because of the roads, accommodation and food. But you persevered. May the Lord God bless you for it,” the bishop said.
He also encouraged parents who feel called to teach children to become more involved in the church’s Children’s Ministry.
Children present what they learned at the closing ceremony of VBS 2026 at Rubirizi Parish on Aug. 9, 2026.
Beyond one week
For the Burundi Annual Conference, VBS underscored the need to help children and young people grow in faith throughout the year, not only during school holidays. The experiences shared by parents, teachers and children point to the value of continuing Christian education through Sunday school, family involvement and regular teaching of Scripture.
Niyirera said the church is considering expanding the program, noting that the administration has encouraged extending the supervision period from one to two weeks.
Rasing expressed hope for continued partnership. “I am excited for the future of Burundi, for the future of UMC here in Burundi,” he said. “My hope is that we can continue to work together as Discipleship Ministries, Burundi UMC, and I also want to mention the Philippines.”
For the children who gathered across Burundi, the week offered more than holiday activities. It gave them a chance to learn Scripture, build relationships and reflect on what it means to live out their faith. And for the church, the message of “Growing in God’s Grace” reaches beyond the seven-day program, toward a continuing investment in the children and young people who will shape its future.
