Evangelism Explosion (EE) Burundi, in collaboration with the Free Methodist Church, has conducted a four-day evangelism training for more than 30 influential church leaders from 15 parishes affiliated with the church across the country.

The workshop, held from April 7 to April 10, 2026, took place in Gitega, the country’s political capital, aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity by equipping them with evangelism skills and practical tools. 

Diomede Hakizimana, National Director of EE Burundi, said the initiative also seeks to address ongoing challenges within churches, including a lack of trained personnel and adequate equipment for evangelism.

“In many places, the Church still lacks the knowledge and tools that help believers share the Good News. That is why we organize trainings like this, to help them do it easily wherever they are,” he said.

The training, attended by representatives of the Free Methodist Church, combined both theory and practice. Morning sessions focused on the foundations of the Gospel and how to communicate it effectively, while afternoons were dedicated to fieldwork, where participants went into nearby communities to apply what they had learned.

Facilitators emphasized the core message of the Gospel and encouraged participants to share it with humility and respect.

“When a person receives the Good News, they are transformed in their thinking, relationships, and behavior. This brings peace to communities and leads to eternal life,” one trainer said.

Participants’ Reactions

Participants welcomed the training, describing it as transformative in their understanding of salvation and evangelism.

Pelousse Emerimana, a leadership intern in the Free Methodist Church of Mukungu, said the sessions deepened her faith and confidence.

“I understood that heaven is a gift from God, and there is nothing I can do to earn it. This has increased my zeal to share the Good News without fear,” she said.

Niyungeko Denis, a catechist in the same church, shared a similar experience.

“I learned that salvation is not based on works, but is a free gift. This training helped me overcome the fear of sharing the Gospel,” he said.

Continued Efforts

Organizers say such trainings are part of a broader, ongoing effort. In 2025 alone, EE Burundi conducted four trainings for adults involving more than 130 participants from 63 churches, five sessions for children’s teachers with 176 participants, and one youth training attended by 177 people from 59 churches.

This workshop marks the first training of 2026, with more already planned, including sessions at Elshadaï Church in Kabezi and at the Anglican Diocese of Bujumbura from April 14 to April 17.

Hakizimana expressed optimism that the program will have a lasting impact.

“This will help increase the number of believers and bring positive transformation and stability to communities,” he said.

The workshop concluded with the awarding of certificates to participants who successfully completed the training.

This story was translated from Kirundi to English and edited by Moise NDAYIRAGIJE