Day 9 (Last Day) of Evangelical campaign
Today marked the conclusion of a nine-day evangelical campaign organized by the student Christian group, the CEP association. The congregation, joined by special guests—the Rehoboth Choir, Rev Pst NDAYISHIMIYE Tharcisse, and the preacher of the day Evangelist Pastor RURANGWA Valentin—gathered at the campus stadium to celebrate God’s love. The event centered on the theme: “God’s Children, the Light of the World.”
Sermon Recap: Serving God (‘Gukorera Imana’)
Preacher: Pastor RURANGWA Valentin
Scripture References:
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 - "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
- Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
- Jeremiah 1:4-5 - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.'”
Introduction to the Theme: Serving God
Pastor RURANGWA began his sermon by emphasizing that mankind was created with a purpose: to serve. He referred to the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis, where God instructed Adam to tend the Garden of Eden. This illustrated that from the beginning, humanity was designed to work and serve as a fundamental part of life.
The pastor addressed a concerning trend among some Christians who approach their responsibilities with laziness. He urged believers to view serving God not as a fallback occupation but as a noble calling. Citing Proverbs 22:29, he reminded the congregation of the importance of diligence, encouraging Christians to excel in everything they do.
Part 1: The Importance of Serving the Lord
Pastor RURANGWA explained that serving God is essential for those who have been saved, as highlighted in Ephesians 2:10. He underscored that without salvation, humanity remains enslaved to sinful nature and works of the flesh, as outlined in Galatians 5:19-21. These include behaviors such as immorality, envy, hatred, and selfish ambition.
Through the Holy Spirit, believers are freed from this bondage and empowered to live lives that glorify God. The pastor shared his own testimony, revealing how God delivered him from a life of drunkenness and transformed him entirely. He explained how this personal experience fuels his commitment to serve God, whom he sees as a loving and gracious Savior.
The story of Saul, who later became Paul, was another powerful example. Saul, who once persecuted Christians with misguided zeal, encountered Jesus and was completely transformed. After his salvation, Paul devoted his life to serving the Lord, fulfilling the good works he was created to do.
Part 2: Discovering Your Calling
Pastor RURANGWA delved into the concept of calling, distinguishing between two types:
- General Calling: This is the universal call to salvation and becoming children of God, transformed to reflect His image.
- Personal Calling: Each individual is uniquely created to serve God in a specific way. This calling is tailored to one’s gifts, talents, and purpose.
He cautioned, however, that not everything one enjoys doing necessarily aligns with their divine calling. To discern one’s calling, he outlined five key indicators:
- Passion: You feel energized and fulfilled while doing it.
- Selflessness: It is done without expecting direct benefits or rewards.
- Excellence: You perform it so well that it is evident to you and others.
- Commitment: You feel sorrowful when it isn’t done properly.
- Stewardship: You feel a deep desire to protect and preserve it.
Reflections on God’s Purpose
Drawing from Jeremiah 1:4-5, the pastor reminded the congregation that God knew each of us before we were born and created us for specific good works. These works were prepared long ago, even before our existence.
As Christians, we are called to step boldly into this purpose, leading lives driven by God’s plan. Pastor RURANGWA encouraged the attendees to recognize that they are fully equipped—through their knowledge, abilities, and even their unique appearances—to serve the Lord in the roles He has appointed at the right time.
Watch the full video of the day on CEP UR Huye TV
