Why a Student Ministry?
1. Most future leaders of Rwanda will pass through the country’s only “National University”. This is a strategic ministry.
2. Most people who become Christians do so as young adults. This is a targeted ministry.
3. Most students come from poor families. The university provides room and board, but their stipend amounts to only one dollar per day. This is a needed ministry.
4. Local churches have few resources to share with students. Christian clubs have met under trees for lack of space. This is a practical ministry.
5. We help the widows and orphans of Rwanda by preparing the hearts of students who will be able to benefit the needy more - in the long term - than any foreign missionary ever could. This is a empowering ministry.
6. Future missionaries to Islamic Africa will be African Christians. We are preparing the harvesters. This is a visionary ministry.
Dear Supporters of Come & See Africa, March 22, 2008
As a missionary to Africa, I sometimes wish that I could show you pictures of shoeless orphans with big smiles. That is an image that tugs at the heart of most Americans. Or maybe I could show pictures of AIDS victims languishing in dark hospitals; or street children dressed in rags. I have these pictures - many of them. The rampant poverty and despair in Africa breaks my heart. I am so grateful that thousands of caring Americans are doing their utmost to relieve suffering in Africa. But I won't show you heart-wrenching pictures because addressing these social symptoms is not the primary purpose of Come & See Africa.
We believe that the core problem throughout Africa is "bad governance" - political leaders, business leaders, and tribal leaders who covet power as a means of personal gain; who lead corrupt and immoral lives. Billions of dollars in well-intended aid have flowed into such countries as Congo and Somalia, yet the social symptoms of bad governance continue and even worsen. Money is not a solution to what ails Africa.
We believe that the antidote to "bad governance" is "pure religion". The Apostle James tells us that "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)" We believe that instilling this "pure religion" in the hearts of the next generation of African leaders is the real answer to Africa's underlying problem.
In the small nation of Rwanda there is only one national university. Nearly all future leaders of Rwanda will pass through the University of Rwanda in Butare. Rather than show you a picture of suffering children, here is a picture of the hope of Africa. You see a college student standing and asking a question about the Bible. He is learning to be accountable to God. Young men and women like this are practicing the pure religion of social outreach and personal morality.
The Spirit of God is blazing like a wildfire across East Africa. Come & See Africa is fanning the flames at the university. Our hope is that Rwandans will create a Rwanda in which foreign aid is not required. Pure religion will some day put an end to bad governance. Only when Rwanda prospers will images of happy children replace images of suffering children.
I realize that this singular vision of Come & See Africa will never possess the mass appeal of a ministry that directly helps suffering women and children. We accept this shortcoming. However, I do appeal to those of you who catch this vision. We are planting seeds in the hearts of college-age people. These seeds are the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our seeds will not bear fruit tomorrow or even next year. But when the seeds of Come & See Africa come to fruition, your generous gifts will do more good in the long term than can ever be imagined today.
Blessings, Dr. Chris A. Foreman
1. Most future leaders of Rwanda will pass through the country’s only “National University”. This is a strategic ministry.
2. Most people who become Christians do so as young adults. This is a targeted ministry.
3. Most students come from poor families. The university provides room and board, but their stipend amounts to only one dollar per day. This is a needed ministry.
4. Local churches have few resources to share with students. Christian clubs have met under trees for lack of space. This is a practical ministry.
5. We help the widows and orphans of Rwanda by preparing the hearts of students who will be able to benefit the needy more - in the long term - than any foreign missionary ever could. This is a empowering ministry.
6. Future missionaries to Islamic Africa will be African Christians. We are preparing the harvesters. This is a visionary ministry.
3. Most students come from poor families. The university provides room and board, but their stipend amounts to only one dollar per day. This is a needed ministry.
4. Local churches have few resources to share with students. Christian clubs have met under trees for lack of space. This is a practical ministry.
5. We help the widows and orphans of Rwanda by preparing the hearts of students who will be able to benefit the needy more - in the long term - than any foreign missionary ever could. This is a empowering ministry.
6. Future missionaries to Islamic Africa will be African Christians. We are preparing the harvesters. This is a visionary ministry.