History

In 1921, God used a Missionary in the name of Henri Monnier from Switzerland to start the Ministry of the Seventh day Adventist church in Rwankeri where He reached after one year of hard work, trying to establish a Mission Station at Kawangire in the East of Rwanda. They were asked by local authorities to move to the north. He was accompanied by another missionary A. Matters

These two pioneers finally arrived in northern part of the country. After many difficulties they finally arrived in volcanic region bordering the Congo and Uganda. They started the ministry in difficult times because the population in Northern Province was hostile to the white people due to what has happened in the time of Rukara rwa Bishingwe who lived in 18 century during the reign of Yuhi V Musinga who reigned from 1895 up to 1931.

At that time, Northern Province was the most densely populated rural areas of Rwanda. The two missionaries worked together and in 1924 Alfred Matter after studying tropical medicine two years outside the country of Rwanda, he established a clinic at Rwankeri.

Henri Monnier had learned to speak Kinyarwanda while he was at Kirinda and Gitwe where he started the mission in Rwanda. But it was probably during this long and lonely period of intimate contact with Banyarwanda that his knowledge and use of the language was polished and perfected.

He published a popular grammar book of the Kinyarwanda language for English speaking missionaries and also translated passages of the Bible, Hymn, Baptism manual, instructional booklets, Adventist doctrines and devotional literature He would read and reread the passages he had translated to his African associates and they would suggest alterations and refinements. He was aided by Pastor Eléazar Semutwa, one of the first Adventist Pastor to be ordained in Rwanda.

The name of Henri Monnier is well known among Kinyarwanda Bible translators. Henri Monnier protected people and their cattle against lions and hyenas that were a threat to everybody, by shooting the predators. This attracted people from around the area to love him and accept the message.

He did this regardless of whether those concerned were Adventist or not. Thus he gained popularity among the natives and was nicknamed “Rukandirangabo”, i.e. “the mighty man”. The impact of his behavior on the population was tremendous. Many people came to listen to his message and accepted it.

He maintained a good relationship with the residents. The first baptism of Peter Rukangaranjunga and John Ruvugihomvu on November 10, 1924.

Henri Monnier left Rwanda in 1944 after the inauguration of a very impressive church building at the Mission station.

After his departure, came other missionaries who continued the work he had left until today. Rwankeri Mission station was officially organized as North Rwanda Field in 1956 and reorganized in1960 and 2011.

During the Genocide against the Tutsis occurred in 1994, the church suffered because many people were killed and others fled to foreign countries and in many local churches there were few believers left.

From 1997 to 1998 a war broke out between the government and the rebels who had infiltrated into the north. Rwankeri, the headquarters of the North Rwanda Field was attacked and six people killed, including church workers.

The survivors moved the headquarters to Musanze town for their security. The Field grew up so rapidly that in April 2011 it had 116 747 church members and was divided into two fields: North-West Rwanda Field with 56 948 church members and its headquarters at Rubavu. North Rwanda Field remained at Musanze with 65 739 Church members.

As it has said, North Rwanda Field operates in five administrative districts which are Burera, Gicumbi, Gakenke, Musanze, Rulindo and a part of western province which is Nyabihu district. Today North Rwanda Field has 160 691 church members; 34 districts, 299 local churches and 69 companies.

Presidents: A. Matters (1924-1933), H. Monnier (1933-1939), Spieman (1939-1946), A.L Davy (1946-1950), J.A Birkenstock (1950-1954), Everet (1954-1955), A.L Davy (1955-1960), D.Thomas (1960), Kotz (1961), Grellman (1961-1967), H.W. Stevenson (1967-1969), Schmidl (1969-1973), T. Rwamiheto (1973-1975), S. Baraburiye (1975-1982), Thomas Rwamiheto (1982-1988), Nathanael Musaza (1988-1990), Enéas Karekezi (1990-1994), Elie Mbuguje (1995), Théophas Ruterahagusha (1996-1997), Obed Rwibasira (1997-2005); Ezéchiel Rudatinya Mwangachuchu (2006-2010), Léonidas S. Rutaganzwa (2011-2012); Gérard N. Karasira (2012-2021), Sophonie Setako (2022—)

The Bible says: “I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds”. Psalms 77:12