Mission Critical International is proud to introduce Pastor Ndagijimana Jean de Dieu as the new Director General of Mission Critical Rwanda
Here is his testimony and vision…
I was born on April 2nd 1971, in Rwanda, Africa.
Both of my parents were non-believers. I’m the second born of 9 children.
But presently 4 of us are living (2 sons and 2 daughters.)
Getting saved wasn’t that easy for me because of my parents’ non-belief
I thank God for the crusade that took place in our neighborhood back in 1984. They taught me the words found in “John 3:16.” So after learning about God’s love and Christ as a savior and that He died for my sins, I decided to give my life to Him and live for Him. But wow! It wasn’t good for me when I got home because my parents kicked me out of the house and from there I started a life of struggle for a few days and then I went back home and my parents allowed me to remain in the family but like a stranger. A few months later I was baptized. In 1985 I began to sing in a choir from the Pentecostal church in Rwanda, and in 1988 I evangelized my parents and my mom got saved. So hence I wasn’t called stranger anymore because my mom was like me too and a few months later my grandma got saved too.
In 1990 I got married to my beautiful wife Gaudance and we have six children (a daughter and 5 sons.)
In 1992 I joined seminary in DR Congo and learned more about evangelism. I then became a pastor in 1994, and then in 1995-2000 I went on an advanced course at the seminary back in Congo still. Right after graduation I came back to Rwanda in August 2000.
Then I started a ministry in evangelism and church planting in Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo.
Nowadays, I am a senior pastor of a young church two years and six months old. The church has about 245 members now.
MY DREAM FOR MISSION CRITICAL RWANDA:
1. To expand this ministry country-wide and to see many people change their heart and accept Jesus Christ as Savior.
2. To share the word of God to the orphans and vulnerable children and show them God’s grace.
Everyone tells you, “When God closes a door, He always open a window” or “God’s timing is best”, and in your heart you want to believe them, but deep down in places you don’t even want to admit to yourself, you are afraid God isn’t going to come through for you. You’ve seen God be faithful in the lives of your family and friends but you’re not sure He cares for you enough to be bothered to show up in your life. You just know you’ve messed up your life enough times that God’s closed His ears to your prayers and you will have to figure this out for yourself.
I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore as I had to tell one more of my beloved friends, no, beloved family, why I had to leave the place I had called home for two years to start over somewhere else. I told them “God has a plan and He is calling me somewhere else”, and I knew in my heart I was telling the truth but in my heart of hearts I wondered what I had done wrong. You tell yourself “God doesn’t ask you to do something that hurts so bad or causes others such pain, so this is not of God.” “You’re just mistaken.” “You messed up and what you feel now are the consequences.” But Praise God! This is not the end of my story!
As my eyes looked over the rolling landscape of the country of Rwanda, I realized I was making all of this about ME. I was mad at God because my life wasn’t going the way I wanted it to go. I was angry because my plan of what I thought a missionary’s life was supposed to look like was not coming to pass. I wanted to get married and raise my children in Zambia, Africa. I wanted a safe life! Most people reading this will laugh at me but for me that was a safe life. I wanted the life I had already figured out. The life with no surprises or possibilities of mistakes. But God! I love that phrase! But God! had other plans for my life. His plan for me is much bigger than I was willing to believe and I am just starting to see a glimpse of that plan. Spending five days in Rwanda and seeing God show up for us in ways I had only dreamed about until now was just part of what I now know God wants to do in my life.
For now I know God wants me to assist in starting Mission Critical’s first headquarters in Bogota, Colombia and a house in Rwanda for orphans called Mercy’s House after my beloved adopted sister Mercy. But I know He has so much more in store for me and I am ready for the adventure!
After reading my story I hope you believe that God’s unending faithfulness and grace is for you! God is never deaf to the prayers of His beloved servants! And God always opens a door when He closes a window in your life!
Rebekah Bullen
Missionary to the world with Mission Critical International!
For now I know God wants me to assist in starting Mission Critical’s first headquarters in Bogota, Colombia and a house in Rwanda for orphans called Mercy’s House after my beloved adopted sister Mercy. But I know He has so much more in store for me and I am ready for the adventure!