In 2005, TIME Magazine reported that Rick Warren had been asked by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, to help his country become a "Purpose-Driven nation".[ In response to Kagame's request, Warren enlisted over 2,000 Saddleback Church members to go to Rwanda . Business leaders and leaders of parliament in Rwanda were also involved. Well it's 2014 and Warren is in Rwanda again, with an update on the project of making Rwanda a Purpose Driven nation. The Christian Post, recently reported on his visit and the "Purpose Driven Church Congress" that met there.
"I have been working with and watching the churches of Rwanda for nearly 10 years, and I believe now is the time for them to be a model to the world. It would be just like God to take a small nation like Rwanda on which the world turned its back 20 years ago in its greatest need and use it for God and for good." - Rick Warren
Rick Warren in Rwanda Announces Plans to Host All 54 African Nations at Purpose Driven Church Congress
by Alex Murashko, CHRISTIAN POST 8//13/1204
What happened in Rwanda? 20 years ago? How did the world turn it's back on Rwanda?
It was a terrible thing that happened, 20 years ago. In case you do not know or understand, what happened was that within 100 days, approxamately 800,000 people were murdered in what can only be described as genocide. Wikipedia records that "the genocide was planned by members of the core political elite known as the akazu, many of whom occupied positions at top levels of the national government." "The atrocious acts were carried out by the "ranks of the Rwandan army, the National Police (gendarmerie), government-backed militias including the INterahamwe and Impuzamugambi, and the Hutu civilian population."
It was a nightmare.
"The militia typically murdered victims by machete, although some army units used rifles. The Hutu gangs searched out victims hiding in churches and school buildings, and massacred them. Local officials and government-sponsored radio incited ordinary citizens to kill their neighbors, and those who refused to kill were often murdered on the spot."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide
"The 12 pastors who serve on the Rwanda PEACE Plan Board of Directors joined Warren for today's press conference along with eight of more than 25 leaders that serve as Master Trainers for PEACE."
"Master Trainers?" That's a new one... a new "title." They are not bishops or pastors or teachers, but "master trainers. Not only that, in the article, Rick says, (emphatically so you will agree with him on the matter,) they are "world leaders."
"These men, whether you realize it or not, are world leaders. What they are doing with churches in Rwanda is being watched by churches all around the world."- Rick Warren
Rick Warren in Rwanda Announces Plans to Host All 54 African Nations at Purpose Driven Church Congress
by Alex Murashko, CHRISTIAN POST 8//13/1204
Which churches in Rwanda?What kinds of churches and religions are there?
Wikipedia reports that according to 2012 census, it looked like this:
56.9% Roman Catholic
26.0% Protestant
11.1 % Seventh Day Adventist
4.8% Islam
1.8% Indigenous and others
It's interesting that the Roman Catholic Church is largest in Rwanda. They were pretty big in 1994 too. In fact there's a lot of criticism of the church's involvement in the genocide.
Chris McGreal's recent litetary publication, “Chaplains of the Militia: The tangled story of the Catholic church during Rwanda’s genocide,” digs deep into the events that took place during the genocide from the perspective of those who actually witnessed the 100 days of massacre. The story doesn't paint a pretty picture of the churches, especially the Roman Catholic church. Interestingly, now all these "churches" whichever ones they are, are working together. It's a P.E.A.C.E. thing .. and they are all (apparently) working together with their government and business leaders ... under the influence of Pastor Rick.
And would't you know, Rwanda has been selected by Rick, to be the example for the world of his P.E.A.C.E. Plan? It is also being dubbed by Rick and Kagame as, 'the First Purpose Driven Nation." The video at the previous link tells us, the President Paul Kigame, read Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, and being "Purpose Driven" himself, invited Rick Warren, to come over and do 40 Days of Purpose.... with 600 churches. (Eh.... Which ones?)
Rick gets credit for boldly... although occasionally, talking "about" Jesus Christ and for talking about forgiveness, and for personally reaching out to help a hurting world. Seriously. But something sure seems odd when his work and talk is not focused there and instead is focused on a uniting of different churches. Even odder is Rick Warren in the spotlight with an emphasis on the wonderfulness of Rick's Purpose Driven Life book and plan for P.E.A.C.E. in the world. And Rick, even after these many years, still sticks to the slogans we have already heard, about the uniqueness of his special P.E.A.C.E. plan.... and of course telling us all how "the church" might actually be able "to do good..."
if
....he is able to mobilize the church.
"What makes The PEACE Plan unique is that it is done by local churches, in local churches, in the community," said Warren. "I could take you to 10 million villages around the world where the only thing there is the church. The church is the biggest organization on the planet and has most potential to do good if mobilized."- Rick Warren
Rick Warren in Rwanda Announces Plans to Host All 54 African Nations at Purpose Driven Church Congress
Apparently, out of all the organizations... on the planet.... the church has the most "potential" to "do good".... IF.
Then, speaking about the current Middle East conflict, Warren urged other countries to draw lessons from, no, "emulate," Rwanda. Warren said,
Then, speaking about the current Middle East conflict, Warren urged other countries to draw lessons from, no, "emulate," Rwanda. Warren said,
"The Middle East countries should emulate Rwanda. If the world wants to find peace and reconciliation then we can use Rwanda as a case study. The country has reconciled in the shortest possible time (after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed over 1 million people), and rebuilt itself to what it is today." -Rick Warren
Rwanda: 'Rwanda Shima Imana' Attracts 34 Countries by Athan Tashobya 8/11/2014, www.AllAfrica.com
Well, that is interesting. Rick talks about peace and reconciliation and wants people to see "Rwanda" as the example. Christian Pastors usually talk peace and reconciliation and use Jesus as our example. Rwanda is still working on lots of issues.
Rick is known for picking whatever fanciful bible version Rick thinks happens fits the particular moment and using what sounds good to support his own ideas of things, rather than coming under the jurisdiction of any one particular text. He evidently thinks it sounds good to make Rwanda "a case to study" and learn about peace and reconciliation, but is it?
No. The "peace" in Rwanda, is fragile. People still hurt and mourn. Rwanda is not known for "freedom."
The 2013 Amnesty International report on Rwanda says, "There was almost no space for critical journalism in Rwanda. The aftermath of a 2010 clampdown on journalists and political opposition members left few independent voices in the country. Private media outlets remained closed. Efforts to improve media freedom through legislative reform, technical improvement and private sector investment, were undermined by the continued imprisonment of journalists for their legitimate work. Defamation remained a criminal offence." In other words, to speak or act, it is expected that one be "politically correct."
And that Paul Kagame.... the current president of Rwanda. Who is he? What do people see in the man and his leadership? Why had he called upon "America's Pastor," Rick Warren, to come and help him in his cause? You have to wonder.
Rick did award Kagame with the "International Medal of PEACE" in 2009.
Rick has called upon Rwandans to create a national "Thanksgiving" holiday, 'Rwanda Shima Imana. (Shimi Imana, translated, means, "Thank God,") and the holiday, inaugurated in 2012, by Warren, (according to Athan Tashobyu, of allafrica.com,) now has a presence in most Christian churches in Rwanda.Rick is known for picking whatever fanciful bible version Rick thinks happens fits the particular moment and using what sounds good to support his own ideas of things, rather than coming under the jurisdiction of any one particular text. He evidently thinks it sounds good to make Rwanda "a case to study" and learn about peace and reconciliation, but is it?
No. The "peace" in Rwanda, is fragile. People still hurt and mourn. Rwanda is not known for "freedom."
The 2013 Amnesty International report on Rwanda says, "There was almost no space for critical journalism in Rwanda. The aftermath of a 2010 clampdown on journalists and political opposition members left few independent voices in the country. Private media outlets remained closed. Efforts to improve media freedom through legislative reform, technical improvement and private sector investment, were undermined by the continued imprisonment of journalists for their legitimate work. Defamation remained a criminal offence." In other words, to speak or act, it is expected that one be "politically correct."
And that Paul Kagame.... the current president of Rwanda. Who is he? What do people see in the man and his leadership? Why had he called upon "America's Pastor," Rick Warren, to come and help him in his cause? You have to wonder.
Rick did award Kagame with the "International Medal of PEACE" in 2009.
Rick says,
"It is my prayer that this day becomes a national holiday just as it is in some parts of the world. Twenty years after the genocide, we are now a new Rwanda. We have seen the country develop and have nothing to hold against God, other than celebrating what He has done for our country."- Rick Warren
Rick Warren in Rwanda Announces Plans to Host All 54 African Nations at Purpose Driven Church Congress
by Alex Murashko, CHRISTIAN POST 8//13/1204
A couple of questions:
Rick declares, "We" are a new Rwanda." and he says, "our country." Is this just friendly talk or is he this tight with the President? Is Rwanda really Rick's "country?"
And another question,( as Rick talks about God.) It's really nice that the people have "nothing to hold against God" and that now they are giving thanks to God for the new beginning and the country's development; but, "God" who?
Does this "God" have a name?
......Just wondering.
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