In February, International Team Leader Dr. Stephen Mbogo and International Social Action Director Janet Mwendwa traveled to Burundi for a significant mission with key clergy, church leaders, and political leaders under the theme: “The Burundi God Desires.” The mission focused on equipping leaders with biblical insights for national transformation from the 17th to the 21st of February.

The Burundi Leadership Mission was birthed from an invitation by church and parachurch leaders in Burundi, who requested African Enterprise (AE) to conduct a leadership mission and peace-building initiative. After consultation, an AE International delegation visited Burundi in November 2024, engaging with leaders from various sectors, including churches, NGOs, universities, and government institutions. The discussions confirmed the urgent need for such an initiative.

Mission Highlights

A key highlight of the mission by the AE delegation was gathering diverse leaders, including church leaders, marketplace leaders, and government officials. The mission’s theme, “Building and Praying for the Burundi that God Desires,” emphasized seeking God’s will rather than personal or political agendas. “Leaders recognized the importance of trusting God for Burundi’s future and embracing their roles in nation-building,” said Janet Mwendwa, International Social Action Director.

During the interactive sessions on leadership roles, AE’s International Team Leader, Rev. Dr Stephen Mbogo, did biblical expositions on:

The role of priests and prophets in shaping a godly nation.
The role of kings (government leaders) in governance and national transformation.

Leaders gained fresh insight into their divine purpose in Burundi’s current landscape, and another significant moment was the focus on self-care and trauma healing. Leaders in political circles expressed deep appreciation, acknowledging that most leadership training focuses on agendas and strategies but rarely considers their well-being. Dr. Gladys Mwiti (the founder and CEO of Oasis Africa Center for Transformational Psychology and Trauma, a pan-African professional organization shaping the field of psychology in Kenya) played a vital role in these sessions, offering guidance on emotional and psychological resilience.

Additionally, Dr. Emmanuel Kopwe’s contribution was invaluable, drawing from his extensive experience in peacebuilding in Burundi. He guided leaders through peacebuilding’s historical, present, and future aspects, reinforcing the importance of sustained reconciliation efforts.

What This Mission Means for African Enterprise!

This mission aligns with African Enterprise’s strategic Peacebuilding & Reconciliation and Leadership Development pillars. It affirms AE’s commitment to engaging with leaders across different spheres to foster lasting transformation. By facilitating such initiatives, AE continues to fulfill its vision of equipping and empowering leaders for national impact, ensuring that Burundi moves forward with faith, unity, and purpose.

AE appreciates all the partners who supported this initiative in one way or another through prayer, finances, logistics management, etc.  We win together for God’s glory!