THE FIRST DISTRICT CREATED IN RWANDA
The Uganda Kampala Mission reports that the first LDS
district in Rwanda will be organized on March 26th. Overseen by mission
presidents, districts are administrative organizations that service two or more
branches within a specific geographical area. The organization of a district
signals progress in regards to increasing numbers of priesthood leadership, and
improvements in local self-sufficiency for leadership and church
administration. Furthermore, the creation of districts often proceeds the
organization of additional branches or member groups within an area. Currently
the Church reports three branches in Kigali, Rwanda - all of which appear
likely to be included in the new Kigali Rwanda District. Currently there is no
LDS presence in Rwanda outside of the capital city of Kigali.
The Church in Rwanda has reported strong growth
within the past several years. Annual membership growth rates have exceeded 20%
a year since the establishment of the first branch in 2008. There were a mere
17 members in Rwanda in 2008, whereas there were 344 members in Rwanda at
year-end 2015. Additionally, full-time missionaries serving in Rwanda report
that the number of convert baptisms has accelerated in Kigali within recent
months. Although recent growth has been steady and strong, a lack of
Kinyarwanda translations of LDS materials (including LDS scriptures),
proselytism by full-time missionaries conducted only in English, and distance
from mission headquarters in Kampala, Uganda pose challenges for more rapid
growth and expansion. The creation of additional branches and member groups in
Kigali also appears warranted in order to improve accessibility to LDS
congregations and spur greater growth.
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