The spring of 2022 was an exciting time at Manna University, as our mentoring center located in Kigali, Rwanda was launched with ten students. Among those students was Alexandre, who is a native of the nation of Burundi and marks his time in the land of his birth as being, “A man who was so broken, who grew up vulnerable and an orphan, who lived a very horrible life on the street…” Through God’s grace and provision, Alexandre completed high school in Burundi and after receiving his diploma was encouraged to go to Rwanda to complete his university schooling.
After completing a bachelor’s degree in finance in 2015, Alexandre was on staff in a local church as a worship leader. Betrayal and conspiracy by members of the church led to Alexandre being fired from his church and left deep wounds in his soul. After this experience, Alexandre said he thought he would “…never attend church anymore. I was deeply heartbroken from church.” Thankfully, a friend talked about his church, Christ Hope Community Chapel, and how the church was truly like a family. After agreeing to give church a chance once more, Alexandre was introduced to Dr. Stephen Nsengiyumva, Pastor at Christ Hope and Manna U faculty member. Alexandre remembers speaking with Dr. Stephen and telling him of his previous church experience. Dr. Stephen told him about healthy church life and Manna University.
Dr. Stephen’s conversation felt like God’s answers to his prayer as he’d been praying about returning to school! Through the generosity of Manna University supporters, scholarships were available for Alexandre and his fellow student-countrymen. Alexandre was among a number of Rwandan students from that first class to complete an undergraduate Certificate in Worship Ministry.
When asked about his time at Manna University and how it helped to develop him, Alexandre states, “If I talk about Manna University, I would only talk about two main things that I got from there: VALUE and CALLING.” Alexandre speaks fondly of professors like Julie Johnson whose attention, care, and love of God so profoundly impacted him; it helped to deepen his relationship with God.
Today, Alexandre is on staff at Christ Hope Community Chapel as a worship leader, where he also serves as an elder – all while being enrolled as a graduate student at Manna University. Alexandre’s excitement about a new program he has launched at church helping the newer, younger generation of believers in knowing how to better serve God is evident in his conversations. Through all of this, Alexandre simply says, “I am so grateful to be one of Manna U’s students.”
