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KIGALI, Rwanda, -- Rwanda President Paul Kagame met with international evangelist Andrew Palau in April to pledge his support for Palau's upcoming Kigali Festival. As part of the festival in July, a preceding Season of Service was launched in tandem with the country's 100-day commemoration of the fastest-killing genocide in human history.

Still recovering from the 1994 genocide that killed an estimated 1 million people in 100 days, more than 350 churches in Rwanda's capital city invited Andrew Palau to bring his message of hope and Good News where the need is great. The festival is fully supported by the Kigali mayor, vice mayor, and city council.

Andrew is the son of well-known world evangelist Luis Palau, whose Next Generation Alliance® mentors young evangelists worldwide. NGA has a "five-year footprint" in Rwanda, according to Festival Director Dr. Tim Robnett. "The Alliance's success prompted this invitation for Andrew and other African nations are following suit," he said.

The Palau model for festival evangelism that now includes a Season of Service (SOS) is fitting for Kigali. Citizens have long been involved in improving public areas through government-mandated community service called "umuganda" (work for free) projects. Kigali churches are mobilizing their congregations to do similar umuganda projects under Palau's SOS banner where churches, government leaders, and citizens co-labor for the good of the community. "I'm inviting and challenging the pastors in Kigali to join Andrew Palau and to engage a transformational, sustainable ministry within their city," said Bishop John Rucyahana.

Kigali's SOS launched on April 17 at a local school where a new water catchment system will bring clean water to its 2,200 children and will also benefit those in the Genocide Survivors Village next door. "SOS is an effort to tangibly demonstrate the love of Christ and open relationships for the sake of the Good News," said Andrew.

The festival itself, on July 17-18 at Amahoro Stadium, is a free event for everyone. It will feature internationally-known Christian musicians as well as local Rwandan artists. Action sports athletes will demonstrate their skills and a Family Fun Zone will entertain young ones. Andrew will share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invite those in attendance to make a faith commitment.

"Rwanda is set for great days of transformation and redemption," said Andrew.

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