Community Perceptions of the Redemptive Works of Christian Ministries in Post-Genocide Rwanda: A Case Study of Africa New Life Ministries

Abstract

The 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi left the country with deep social, emotional, and spiritual wounds, raising questions about the role of Christianity in national healing in a predominantly Christian nation. This study explored how communities perceive the redemptive work of Africa New Life Ministries (ANLM) and its role in promoting both spiritual and social restoration in post-genocide Rwanda. The study employed a mixed-methods case study approach, integrating ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews, and surveys. Data were gathered from 81 participants, including ANLM leaders, staff, and beneficiaries across three ministry locations. Findings showed that while the long-term effects of the genocide remain visible in ongoing poverty, trauma, and fractured trust, participants perceived that ANLM’s holistic model, combining evangelism, education, healthcare, vocational training, and women’s empowerment, has played a significant role in individual and community healing. The participants described redemptive ministry as helping people move from painful memories toward renewed faith, self-worth, and restored relationships. The study concludes that Christian ministries in post-conflict contexts can drive meaningful transformation when they combine spiritual renewal with material empowerment, align their work with local cultural values, and foster self-reliance grounded in faith and divine grace.