A total of 151 postgraduate theology candidates sponsored by World Vision were visited on Friday, November 28, during a joint monitoring exercise at the East African Christian College.

The visit comes as this first cohort of students, drawn from 30 districts across the country, prepares to graduate in January 2026, making them the first formally trained pastors since the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) introduced a policy requiring faith leaders to pursue formal biblical education.

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During the gathering, the college principal, Dr Papias Musafiri Malimba, noted that the initiative now being implemented for the first time is opening new opportunities while clarifying why pastors need theological and biblical training.

"This journey involved learning, unlearning, and rebuilding our understanding, but together with these learners, we are going to see positive change in society,” he said.

One of the admitted learners, Pastor Felix Kagabo, who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, said he initially struggled to understand the need for theological training. Distance was also a challenge, especially for those traveling from far to the campus in Masaka, a suburb of Kigali.

"Since RGB introduced the obligation to study theology, I thought it was unnecessary. I believed we already had what it takes to preach. Coming from Karongi, traveling to Kigali by bus was also discouraging,” he recalled.

"But when I saw this opportunity from World Vision, I decided to try. Now I’m graduating, and I feel confident returning to my community to serve with the knowledge I’ve gained.”

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RGB Secretary General Dr Edward Kalisa commended World Vision—an international non-governmental organization that began operations in Rwanda in 1994 in response to the Genocide against the Tutsi—but encouraged the organization to enrol more female learners in the project.

"This is good progress aligned with the country’s direction, but since this is the first graduating cohort, we should include more women. From experience, women play a vital role in society and can contribute even more to faith leadership,” he noted.

Among the 151 candidates, 121 are male, and 30 are female. Kalisa emphasized that the main reason for mandatory pastoral education is to ensure faith leaders are exemplary, knowledgeable, and well-prepared before stepping onto the pulpit to preach the word of God.

"Today, we are celebrating not just words but also people who will put into action what they’ve learned. This course has made you special, and that is why you must not fail,” said Pauline Okumu, National Director of World Vision Rwanda.

Also among the graduates is Marie Rose Uwimana, a mother of two, who highlighted key skills she gained, including counselling, which she believes will strengthen her ministry and help address complex social challenges in communities.

"We encountered many difficult situations, especially as female pastors, that required counselling skills. I now see myself doing more than preaching; I see myself creating lasting community impact,” she said.

Uwimana also requested that World Vision explore ways to organize follow-ups—possibly by extending lectures into different districts to support local mentorship and encourage more female participants. She concluded by calling for structured follow-ups in approved training centres and district-based mentorship programs to encourage greater female participation.

In addition to this training, World Vision will complement the program with its key models. One of these is the Empowered Worldview, which promotes holistic transformation by shaping beliefs, perceptions, and values, addressing the heart, the mind, and even the economic aspects of life. Another is the Celebrating Families (CF) model, which strengthens family relationships by guiding families through positive parenting, healthy communication, and constructive conflict resolution.