Victor Imaniturikumwe - Rwanda

Victor grew up attending both children’s church and youth group. He and his wife, Chantal, have four children (two girls and two boys) and live in Musanze Town, Rwanda. All of them are committed to a lifestyle of prayer – especially for children. In 2013, after graduating university with a degree in Education, Victor became a Chaplain for the Northern Province.

With passion for both education and children, he and his wife, Chantal, started a free pre-school, Hope for Future Generations, in 2015 to help orphans, children with disabilities and other children from the poor families of the Jenda community in the Western Province. There, they have access to education and discover how much God loves them. 

Victor holds a master’s degree in inclusive and special needs education from the University of Rwanda and desires to extend his skills to children with differing disabilities. Victor was recently ordained as Pastor by the denomination he also serves as church legal representative and overseer – the Église Evangélique de la Bonne Volonté au Rwanda (EEBVR)  

A short background of Victors history with World shapers:

I was first connected to Mama Mary on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 3: 58 pm Kigali Time. We have been truly connected by the Holy Spirit. I remember she quickly introduced World Shapers and told me her heart is with children in Africa. I was surprised by how fond she is of praying and encouraging young children to do so.  I found her different because, when I was in a kid attending Sunday school, I was saddened that the adults could not realize all that we did and all of what we were capable. The Church leaders always focused on the adults. 

I remember that we used to sing one hymn together before the church service started then and we were dismissed to go home. We were never introduced to what really happened in the church services because 

there was NO ROOM made for us. 

As a chaplain, I understood what (traditional) children ministry meant but, until I joined World Shapers, I could not understand two important ideas or concepts: “Children in interce “Children in global prayer“. These two important and inseparable ideas or concepts make Words Shapers unique in children’s ministry. With “global praying,” I realized that children’s ministry isn’t only about teaching children to pray for their families and their neighbors but also to train, equip and release them to petition God on behalf of their generation and the world. And, as “intercessors,” children serve as watchmen. 

(Isaiah 62:6) 

Our Let the Children Pray! book and WS Praying Global Curriculum are helping more adults and children “Catch the Vision!”.

World Shapers has been introduced to and currently operates in 12 high schools in Northern Rwanda and we have a dream it will be expanded to more schools. World Shapers is partnering actively with two churches, and we want to extend to Burundian refugee camps in Eastern Rwanda. 

Moreover, it was also introduced to and operates at Hope for Future Generations school.

It is my desire to introduce World Shapers to each and every place I am invited to speak. 

My name is Gaella, I am 8 and the daughter of Pastor Victor. April 2, is my birthday.

Our Daddy made a special room for us for prayer. He always hangs the WS calendars in our room to help us to pray each month.

I choose my prayer points and I pray when I wake up and before sleeping. I love praying for children from other nations. I realize the Lord hears and answers our prayers. I will pray for the children of the world today so they will know all about Lord who love them so!

My name is Merveille daughter of Pastor Victor. I am 13 years old. Feb 14th is my birthday, 

I like decorating my room with the WS calendars.  I like praying with my father and my mum during the night. They told me God loves children so much. If I pray for others they also pray for me. I am blessed because there are many people who love and pray for me every day. I will always say YES TO MY LORD and NO TO THE DEVIL! 

I remember the first day Pastor Victor came to our refugee camp. Our houses were destroyed by heavy rainfall and landslides. This was just after the country had been lockdown by the Covid crisis.

It was just in total lockdown. Nobody could not move outside of his home we were all hopeless of what life would bring the next day.

I do not know how Victor was able to reach our camp; maybe he asked permission from the local authorities. I quickly recognized his love for children as he started playing with them. Then, he PRAYED with them in a circle with each holding another’s hand.

I had not known before about World Shapers but, Victor explained and I decided to join the ministry and work with the children. I worked as a WS Director for 6 months until the government helped families relocate. 

Victor mentored and coached me to train, equip and release children to pray globally. The monthly calendars taught me, my family and all the children that being intercessors for others is a source of blessings. 

Victor has been my spiritual parent and teacher for the last 8 years. We have been together in Chaplaincy as our regional leaders. 

He introduced me to WSC in 2018 when I was at high school and I became a WSC leader. 

The most important things I have learned from World Shapers are:

Praying globally gives you the understanding that we are each an important part of a more extended family of children of God.

I am needed to pray on behalf of my fellow youth; praying for my generation.

I have total assurance when praying for others that I am being heard because God is taking this burden from me because of my mighty prayers.