An important voice at Amahoro Gathering: Rwanda

There are two names of formative theologian/authors that come up again and again among innovative Christian leaders around the world: Lesslie Newbigin of India and England, and David Bosch of South Africa. David’s masterpiece “Transforming Mission” - along with his other important books like “Believing in the Future” - continue to transform the thinking and practice of theologians and mission leaders around the world. The popular term “missional” has meaning largely because of David’s work. David was not just a thinker and author and teacher in the classroom: he was also an activist on the street, a courageous white South African deeply involved in the struggle against apartheid and for justice and reconciliation.

But David didn’t work alone: at his side was his wife, Annemie Bosch, and she has continued their work since David’s death in 1994. In addition to being the beloved mother to their seven adult children and grandmother to twenty grandchildren, she continues to work and speak for justice and reconciliation in South Africa’s ongoing struggles. She and David served as missionaries for fifteen years in the Eastern Cape, and then as the struggle against apartheid intensified, they were involved with a number of major initiatives - PACLA I and II, SACLA I and II, the National Initiative for Reconciliation, and Empowering Reconciliation with Justice.

One of the great joys of Amahoro Gathering in Rwanda in May 2008 will be the presence of Annemie Bosch. For all of us eager to live lives of spiritual depth and missional integrity, Annemie will be a wonderful example, a living witness to an amazing period in history, and a source of insight and inspiration and wise counsel born of many years of faithful service to God.”

A note from Brian McLaren on Annemie Bosch

“I was speaking in South Africa last year and during a break, I noticed a white-haired lady with a kind face and a name tag that said ‘Bosch.’ I approached her and asked, “Are you…?” She knew what I was going to ask, and replied, “Yes.” After the event was over, we pulled some chairs together around a table and began a conversation and friendship that I will always cherish. I am so thrilled that Annemie will be with us in Rwanda. She will have so many stories to tell, and her guidance will be invaluable because it comes out of decades of courageous activism and faithful service. Travel like this isn’t easy after a certain age, but she’s got such an adventurous spirit and a desire to encourage younger leaders in the work of God’s kingdom that she is willing to be part of our Amahoro gathering. What an honor to have her with us!”

Other Voices joining Amahoro Gathering: Rwanda

Richard Twiss (USA) is a member of the Sicangu Band of the Rosebud Lakota/Sioux Tribe. Richard is a member of the International Reconciliation Coalition and Mission America National Committee. Richard’s book “One Church Many Tribes - Serving Jesus the Way God Made You” articulates a fresh Biblical vision for healing our land, by healing our hearts.

Richard has a unique viewpoint from which to view the internal cultural, social and spiritual struggles of Native American people today. He deals often with racial discrimination and injustice faced by Native Americans and others in the United States. He currently lives in Vancouver, Washington, with his wife of 30 years,
Katherine; they have four sons.

Jane Kanyange (Rwanda) is an unassuming, incredibly compassionate church planter. And, like Jesus, you will find her most often hanging out in bars and in the company of prostitutes. Jane leads a church among bars in Remera. Her congregation is an eclectic mix of former prostitutes, former clients, former madams and brothel owners, addicts and pushers and those who have finally come clean.

Transformation is happening in the lives of those most churches would consider untouchable. Transformation has not only come to individual lives but it has started to come to the community as well. Jane tells the story of bars and brothels that have closed as the owners, workers and clients have come to faith. She tells of a radical reduction in crime and the hope that comes from job creation. Reconciliation between individuals and communities is also at the core of what Jane does.

Brian D. McLaren (USA) is an author, speaker, pastor, and networker among innovative Christian leaders, thinkers, and activists. He is perhaps most well known for his “A New Kind of Christian” book trilogy exploring Christianity and postmodernism.

His public speaking covers a broad range of topics including postmodern thought and culture, Biblical studies, evangelism, leadership, global mission, spiritual formation, worship, pastoral survival and burnout, inter-religious dialogue, ecology, and social justice.

Antoine Rutayisire (Rwanda) narrowly escaped the Rwandan genocide and felt the Lord had spared his life for some special assignment. God had begun to lay the foundation for Antoine’s ministry years prior to the genocide. At age 5 he saw his father murdered for being a Tutsi and later his own life was also threatened because of racism.

His ministry is extensive because the Lord has opened up many opportunities, including speaking and ministering to Rwandan Parliamentarians and prisoners on a regular basis. He is a very articulate and sought after speaker. Antoine has been the keynote speaker at World Vision on Reconciliation and has spoken twice at the Annual International Reconciliation Conferences hosted by Reconciliation New Works of Our World. Among other responsibilities he is Vice-Chairman of the Unity and Reconciliation Commission in Rwanda.

Fuzz Kitto (Australia) is a Church Consultant who travels around the world collecting stories, creating stories and spreading rumors of hope. He works with Church Congregations and regional areas to help them grow their effectiveness in the areas of Mission, Young People and emerging or fresh expression of church and faith communities. He has taught in theological colleges, worked in street work of inner cities, outlaw bike gangs, lead Christian communities and worked in Christian media and as a speaker/preacher. His passion is to work with God and people towards God’s Kingdom becoming a reality on earth as it is in heaven. Married to Carolyn, they live in Sydney Australia.

Trevor Ntlhola (South Africa) passion and ministry is to tell the story of Jesus to all who will listen. He does it with wit, humor and a deep conviction. As pastor of a pioneering nonracial church in the heart of the black township of Soweto, his ministry left him no choice but to wrestle with issues of race and diversity, economic and political oppression, as well as the struggle of the oppressed to discover God’s liberating love disclosed in the pages of Scripture, and supremely through the life and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Trevor is part of the national leadership team of the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, as well of the Association of Vineyard churches in South Africa.

Sean Callaghan (South Africa) Following two years of conscripted military service in South Africa’s apartheid army at the age of 17, Sean, has spent 25 years working for peace, justice and reconciliation in one way or another. His work has included time with the National Initiative for Reconciliation, The National Peace Secretariat, the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes and the Independent Electoral Commission. Sean was also one of only a few conscripts to testify at the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Sean planted and pastored a multi-racial local church in Johannesburg from 2002 through 2007 when he handed over the reigns to a leadership team that had been trained and equipped within the church. Sean now lives in London with his wife (Monica) and their three children where he continues to work on global social justice issues.

Edward Simiyu (Kenya) is the senior pastor of City Harvest Church and leads the larger ministry of City Harvest. He is passionate about practical ministry and discipleship that transforms lives. He is an evangelist and Bible teacher with vast experience in church and Para-church ministries. He is married to Beatrice and they have two children; Jean and Andrew. Edward travels extensively locally and internationally speaking in various forums as a Pastor, Bible teacher and academic scholar. He is presently pursuing a doctorate in Economics. Edward is very involved in what’s happening in Kenya right now.