One of the lesser known reasons for the
significant impact of CBM around the world is the work of its National Field
Staff. Many people are familiar with
CBM’s Global Field Staff, such as ourselves, who are Canadians serving internationally. Working alongside of those Canadians in many
places around the world are the National Field Staff who are serving in their
own country. With their knowledge of the
local language and culture, their ministry and insight greatly enhances the
effectiveness of CBM’s work. In this
two-part blog, we are privileged to introduce you to CBM's Africa National
Field Staff.
Gato Munyamasoko
Our colleague, Gato Munyamasoko, is an
amazing, yet humble, man. Even though he
is Rwandan, he was raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a refugee. His family had fled there years before to
escape the brutal attacks in Rwanda against Tutsi people. In Dec. 1995, he moved to Rwanda and immediately
began to demonstrate his leadership skills as well as his passion and ability
in the area of peace & reconciliation.
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| Gato and his wife Anne Marie |
In 2007, Gato was hired by CBM as National
Field Staff, eventually serving as a Peace & Reconciliation
Specialist. That was the role he was in
when we arrived in Rwanda in 2012.
However, in a few months time, his focus of ministry took an unexpected
turn. In early 2013, CBM’s partner in
Rwanda, the Association of Rwandan Baptist Churches (AEBR), asked Gato to
consider leading the denomination as their Legal Representative (ie. General
Secretary), a request which he accepted.
During his five-year term, he faced many,
many challenges with patience, wisdom, vision and integrity. As a result, these are some of the changes
that took place in the AEBR under his leadership:
- Four fully functioning AEBR departments were established: Community Development; Women and Family; Education and Youth; Evangelism and Church Life.
- Major partnerships (such as with CBM) grew from two to six.
- Staff (in the office and in the field) expanded from 19 to 33.
- During the five-year period, over 39,000 people were direct beneficiaries of the various projects that were done through the different departments, many of which were through the support of CBM.
- In 2013, when he started, AEBR had 37,941 members. As a denomination, it was struggling, losing more and more people. In just five years, AEBR had turned around and was steadily growing. It had added 15,156 members for a total of 53,097 – a 40% increase!
In 2015 his work for many years in the area
of peace & reconciliation was recognized when he became the recipient of
the Baptist World Alliance’s Human Rights
Award. The following year, in 2016,
Acadia University awarded him with an honorary Doctor of Ministry.
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| Gato receiving BWA's Human Rights Award |
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| Dr. Gato featured on Acadia Divinity College's magazine |
Last year he finished his term as Legal
Representative for the AEBR and in October was re-appointed as CBM National
Field Staff. He and his family have
recently moved to Uganda, where Gato is now serving as CBM’s Peace and
Reconciliation Specialist, working alongside CBM’s new partner, Uganda
Christian Lawyers Fraternity.
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| Our two families together this past Christmas |
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| With our friend and brother, Gato |