Church of God News

In March of 2025, the government of Rwanda changed its rules for churches. Here is some information from the government of Rwanda on its rules for churches:

These Regulations determine –
(a) additional requirements for the registration and operation of faith-based organizations; and
(b) requirements for an organization to fight against the crime of money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction…

Article 3: Additional requirements for an organization for application for legal personality
Subject to provisions of Law n°72/2018 of 31/08/2018 determining the organisation and functioning of faith-based organisations, an organization applying for legal personality must address to the Rwanda Governance Board the following additional documents:
(a) a certificate issued by the District or the City of Kigali, confirming that the building designated for worship activities adheres to the legal construction requirements applicable to the specified location;
(b) a document confirming the exclusive use of building for worship activities;
(c) a document confirming the conduct of all religious rituals, ceremonies and practices exclusively within the building of the organization designated for worship activities;
(d) documents of the legal representative of the organization and his or her deputy required by laws. If such documents were issued abroad, they are channelled through the Rwandan Embassy located in the country of issuance and authenticated by the Ministry in charge of foreign affairs in Rwanda to ensure their validity;
(e) a proof of payment of a non-refundable service fee of FRW 2,000,000 as a requisite for the legal personality application, paid to the national treasury;
(f) notarized declaration of exclusive representation of the legal representative and his or her deputy certifying that they do not serve as representatives of any other organization registered in Rwanda;
(g) an equivalence certificate of a certificate or degree in theology obtained by the Legal Representative and his or her deputy from foreign higher learning institutions, issued by the competent authority;
(h) an evidence of religious studies completion demonstrating that the legal representative and his or her deputy, whose qualifications are unrelated to theology, have completed at least 1,200 hours of religious studies from an institution accredited by the competent authority.

Article 4: Prerequisites for the issuance of a collaboration letter to an organization
An organization applying for collaboration with a District or City of Kigali submits to the Board of the following:
(a) an application letter applying for collaboration;
(b) a notarized copy of the organization’s statute;
(c) a notarized copy of the organization’s doctrine principles;
(d) action plan aligned with development priorities of the District or City of Kigali;
(e) a certificate of building compliance confirming that the building designated for worship activities complies with the legal construction requirements for the location in which the organization operates issued by competent authority;
(f) a list of at least 1,000 members of the community where the organization intends to operate, supporting the organization with their signatures, national identification or passport, and telephone numbers.

The rules obviously favor large churches, like the Roman Catholics and certain Protestant faiths.

It is impossible for small churches to comply as they do not have 1,000 people who are part of them with various documents, etc. The education requirements also are biased against churches that differ from large groups.

In addition, consider that Rwanda’s president has made the following disturbing proposal:

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has stated that he is considering implementing a tax on church donations to address the issue of evangelical clerics engaging in extortion and exploitation.

In his first speech following his recent re-election, Kagame strongly condemned religious leaders who misuse their positions to manipulate and extract money from individuals.

“These unscrupulous people who use religion and churches to manipulate and fleece people of their money and other things will force us to introduce a tax, so churches pay tax on the money they get from people,” he said. …

The challenge of regulating preachers is not unique to Rwanda. Uganda announced last week that it plans to release a white paper on regulating worship following reports of extortion by religious leaders. The challenge of regulating preachers is not unique to Rwanda. Uganda announced last week that it plans to release a white paper on regulating worship following reports of extortion by religious leaders. 08/18/24 https://newscentral.africa/kagame-may-impose-tax-on-church-collections-in-rwanda/

The trend from certain governments is not good.

Jesus warned of persecutions:

20 If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. (John 15:20)

On a more positive note, Jesus also said:

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Speaking of additional potential tribulation in the world, I have spoke to Aaron Dean of the United Church of God (UCG) about various matters, including the issues we were facing in Rwanda.

Last Summer, Aaron Dean informed me that Burundi has a law that says that all churches must have at least 500 members. And by that, they mean baptized members. Since the Churches of God do not baptize infants, he said that this means only adults. As it turns out UCG does not have 500 adults in Burundi, nor does the Continuing Church of God. He said he spoke to leaders of two other COG groups with a presence in Burundi, one was interested in cooperation on this and the other did not seem to be. Since we in the Continuing Church of God only have a few families in Burundi, I told him we would also be interested in seeing how to cooperate so that our people could continue to worship without governmental intrusions.

There also look to be a variety of financial challenges that may not be feasible for us in Burundi. We will see how that goes, but as Jesus said:

23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. (Matthew 10:23)

13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  (Mark 13:13)

We see that persecution is prophesied and sometimes Christians will have to flee geographically because of it.

Now, short of fleeing, we have also taken other steps.

Several weeks back, we sent CCOG evangelist Evans Ochieng to Rwanda. He sent the following:

May 27, 2025

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from Rwanda.

I reached Rwanda safe. The weather was nice. Even though we traveled at night and arrived late.

I met Moise and his brother at the airport.

They took me to a nice place where I’m staying now. It’s not an hotel.

Pastor, things are very tough here in Rwanda. There’s a big problem in Rwanda. Brethren cannot meet together. Even I was trying to see how we can meet together with brethren but it’s impossible. So it’s forcing me to meet individuals. I can only talk with one or two people at a time. No songs, no  teaching louder. You can just talk normally.  This people are just meeting through phones and there are some people who doesn’t have Smart phones. So connection becomes poor and tough. Because no way how to teach them even on Sabbath. So what’s needed here, those who doesn’t have Smart phones needs phones so that every Sabbath day they can be online. That will give easy time to teach them or to do the meeting Evey Sabbath and every feast a part from feast of Tabernacles which will need them together. Unleavened bread also needs them together for days. Pentecost is for one day.

Now what I’m doing is to meet every member one or two of them at a time and it’s risky. The new law in Rwanda is very tough. Let’s pray for them if GOD can open for them way’s. We have 15 people who doesn’t have Smart phones so they cannot participate in any teaching and there is no way to teach them. Now they needs assistance within the church. If possible to buy for them phones so that they can also  participate on every meeting.

The total number of brethren in Rwanda now is 53 who are in the church. I’m happy that the 53 members are very steady in the church.

Evans

May 29, 2025

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from Rwanda.

I’ve been in a meeting with Martin from Congo and Moise till now. We have been discussing so many things and ways how we can make the work in Rwanda and Congo to progress after the tough condition in Rwanda made by the government. We were looking so many ways. But at long last we came to a conclusion that, since m23 are now controlling Goma town in Congo where martin and brethren in Congo are staying, and since there are some good understanding between m23 and Rwanda, the people in Rwanda can get oxygen to keep Sabbath and other feast when they can cross the border and attend them in Congo not Rwanda. And since we bought a land for the church in Congo, Moise is going to sell the plot of the church in Rwanda to go and build that  church hall  in Congo.   whereby they can keep Sabbath freely and all the ordained feast of GOD. We also come to conclusion that the feast of Tabernacles 2025 will be held in Congo and all the brethren from Rwanda Will go to Congo.

Another thing, there are 12 people who were to be baptized before, but due to war in Congo, they failed to be baptized. So these people needs baptism. We discussed this matter for long. Lastly we came to agreement that Moise is going to baptize them soon after pentecost.

Pastor I really wonder how it’s tough in Rwanda for the brethren here. The condition in Rwanda needs a lot of prayer. I also talked with Robert from Burundi. He needs our visit in Burundi because it’s not easy for them to cross the border to come in Rwanda due to conflicts between Rwanda and Burundi.

But I want to tell you pastor that the brethren in Rwanda and Congo are really having a strong faith. They are sealed in truth and nothing can shake them. Through prayer I hope things will be changed in Rwanda.

I’m happy to see the true faith in Rwanda and Congo.

I will meet More brethren from Congo and western part of Rwanda tomorrow.

Evans

May 30, 2025

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from Rwanda.

I had a meeting with 10 leaders from Congo and Rwanda inside my room where I was sleeping. Because of stickiness in Rwanda it was not possible to have a meeting in public place. And I wanted to have meeting with leaders to strengthen their faith. I tried my best to have a short time meeting with thorough teaching which give a better outcome. They went back when they were strong and full of faith. We came to conclusion of having feast site in Congo.

Teaching people privately,  Baptism in Congo. Building church Hall in Congo.

The leaders from Congo went back after the meeting.

Evans

Here are leaders from Congo and Rwanda

May 31, 2025

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from Rwanda,

We had a wonderful {Sabbath} service online in Rwanda. All congregations in Rwanda were connected online. My topic today was about the size of the church of God. And how it behaves and how to recognize the church of God. These were the main subject of today to help the church in Rwanda know how to Walk during such big temptation in their country. It was a wonderful subject that help people to understand who they are and what’s a head of them. I really recognize the faith in Rwanda to be one of the best.

Please pray for our brethren in Rwanda wherever you are. It doesn’t matter what position you hold in the church. However small you are, however poor you are, however strong you are, please take time and pray for our brethren in Rwanda. GOD will answer your prayers.

I, Moise and martin kept Sabbath in my room we were only three people but all congregations were connected online and every congregation listen to my teachings of today. GOD gave me power to speak about the subject of today.

Hope everyone had freedom in their countries to keep Sabbath when we had limited time in Rwanda.

Glory be to God The Almighty.

Evans

Yes, please pray for the situation there as Evans Ochieng has asked.

Anyway, Martin is Rwanika Sebulikoko Martin and Moise is Moise Nshimiyimana. Moise Nshimiyimana reported that Pentecost went well for the region as we continue to work on how to function, despite anti-Christian governmental restrictions.

We believe that our plan for connecting through telephone apps is a way we can legally function, at least for now, in Burundi and Rwanda–the Congo rules are not an issue yet, but we are also including the DRC in our telephone connection plans for that part of Africa.

That said, related to religious persecution from modern governments, the Continuing Church of God put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

14:29

New Religious Persecution

Are we seeing new forms of religious persecution popping up? Did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law on August 24, 2024 banning the Orthodox Church in Ukraine? Did Rwanda recently shut down over 5,100 churches, including house churches? Was this really about safety or perhaps also politics? Did Rwandan President Paul Kagame state that he is considering implementing a tax on church donations? Did the Nicaraguan government under its President Daniel Noriega change laws on August 22, 2024 that could allow it to impose taxes of up to 30 percent of a church’s annual income? Did the Nicaraguan government recently shut does 1,500 non-governmental organizations, including 678 religious associations? Is Burundi causing issues for the churches of God because of some of its rules? Did Jesus prophesy about persecution? Will some Christians be beheaded and others burned according to biblical, as well as Greco-Roman, prophecies? Is economic 666 persecution also prophesied? What should the faithful do? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these matters.

Here is a link to our video: New Religious Persecution.

Pray, as Jesus said (Matthew 6:10), for the Kingdom of God to come.

Some items of possibly related interest may include the following:

Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There are also three video sermons you can watch: Cancel Culture and Christian Persecution, The Coming Persecution of the Church, and Christian Persecution from the Beast. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
Prophecies Showing Persecution of Sabbath Keepers Are Sabbath-keepers going to be persecuted in the 21st century? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies that point to this type of persecution?
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Will Philadelphian Christians instruct many in the end times? What about modern censoring, censorship, and shadow banning? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work. Here is a link to another: Preparing to Instruct Many.
The Spanish Inquisition and Early Protestant Persecutions Was the Church of Rome really responsible for this? What happened? A video of related interest is titled: The Past and Future Inquisition.
Blessing of Children or Infant Baptism? Which does the Bible endorse? Two videos of related interest are available: Infant Baptism Scripture and History and The Blessing of Little Children Ceremony.
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection. A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
About Baptism Should you be baptized? Could baptism be necessary for salvation? Who should baptize and how should it be done? Here is a link to a related sermon: Let’s Talk About Baptism and Baptism, Infants, Fire, & the Second Death.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also watch YouTube video sermons: The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, Why Teach the Kingdom of God, The Gospel of the Kingdom, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.