Youth gathered on Saturday at Petit Stade in the Rwanda Shima Imana 2013 Youth Rally, during which pastor Rick Warren encouraged them to work hard and dream big.
Rwanda Shima Imana derives its inspiration from a biblical text in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 8 from verse 10 to 18. It says “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you… ”
This year’s Rwanda Shima Imana Youth Rally has been organized by Christian churches in Rwanda in collaboration with the ministry of youth and ICT (MYICT) and Imbuto Foundation.
Pastor Rick Warren commended Rwanda’s development and challenged the youth to work hard and achieve the dream of the country. “You are the new generation; God uses a man who never gives up, never fear failure if what you are doing is for the glory of God… ” Warren told them
The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana shared the vision for youth sector in Rwanda summarized in HAPPi Generation: Healthy, Attitude; Aptitude (skills, education), Patriotic, Productive and innovative. “We want to see a generation who turns problems into opportunities… I hope that one day in our country everyone will get a dignified job towards the sustainable development,” he noted.
Nsengimana also hailed Pastor Rick Warren who agreed to become a Rwandan, adding that it is in line with the launched program called Ndi Umunyarwanda which is a platform that drives the promise of the post-genocide generation.
The rally, held under the theme “Dreaming great dreams”, was supported by the Rwanda Purpose Driven Ministries/P.E.A.C.E Plan, a Christian organization and a platform of Christian Churches established in Rwanda resulting from the friendship between President Kagame and Rick Warren, who is the senior pastor of the Saddleback Church in California.
Rwanda Purpose Driven Ministries/ PEACE Plan aims to promote (P) reconciliation among Rwandans, equip (E) leaders in all sectors of the nation, assist (A) the poor, care (C) for the sick and educate (E) the next generation. Through this platform, all Christian churches have launched the National Thanksgiving Festival last year.
